Officials lobby for housing tax credits
BY DALE HOGG
dhogg@gbtribune.com
On Monday, Great Bend City Administrator Howard Partington met with Kansas Housing Resources Corporation Executive Director Dennis Mesa and Director of Rental Housing Fred Bentley in their Topeka office. The purpose of his visit was to promote the approval of tax credits for proposed housing developments.
At Monday night’s City Council meeting, he said he reviewed the city’s Housing Needs Analysis that was completed in October of 2013. “I also discussed activities within and surrounding our community. I pointed out to them how important the Overland Property Group apartment project is to us.”
He was referring to the Kansas City-based Overland Properties project to build a subsidized apartment complex on Grant Street near Walmart.
In December, the city learned from the Kansas Department of Commerce that the city’s application for a Rural Housing Incentive District had been approved. Tax credits offered through the program had been sought for the apartments as well as the Employer Housing Partners LLC effort to construct six market-rate four-plexes on Washington Street.
Both developers have indicated their work is contingent upon receiving the credits.
Great Bend Chamber of Commerce President Jan Peters, who was also at Monday’s Council meeting, said she, too, had met with Bentley recently. She said she pressed for approval as well.
Final word on the city’s application is expected in mid May.
The boys and girls of summer have already returned to the Great Bend Sports Complex, the Great Bend City Council learned Monday night. Ballfield preparations have been made and high school games have started at the new facility.
This is not the only activity at the park, City Administrator Howard Partington said. Work has started to install new flag poles at the ball complex, a project made possible with the help of the Thelma Faye Harms Trust.
The Parks Department has also installed additional bleachers on the small field. In addition, crews have added a security light for the south parking lot, are adding additional electrical outlets, purchased infield tarps for the two championship fields, and will soon begin working on drainage issues by the south entrance gate.
Looking down the road a bit, he said city staff continues to make preparations for the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference baseball/softball conference tournament scheduled for the end of April, as well as the Kansas State High School Activities Association 1A/2A state tournament in May.
The city is working in partnership with the Recreation Commission on these tournaments. The commission has taken the lead role in organizing and operating these tournaments.
The report on the complex came from Partington in his departmental update. Other highlights included:
Fire/EMS/Inspection
• Mary Turley retired after 37 years and her replacement started today
• Crews toured the new Almost Home adult day, respite care facility
• State Board of EMS was in to inspect all ambulances along with policy and procedures. There were no deficiencies found.
Public Works
• Repaired concrete alley entrance in the 2900 block of Forest and in the 1800 block of 12th Street and replaced 135 feet of concrete alley East of K-96.
• Installed handicap parking stalls on the west side of the library.
• Helped the park department build two building pads.
• Attended water-borne and blood-borne pathogen training at Front Door put on by the Barton County Health Department.
• Sanitarian: 283 year to date complaints, 43 new complaints (12 by citizens and 31 by staff), 38 complaints completed by citizens, 14 abatement notices sent and 22 cars into compliance.
Parks Department
• The swans at Vet’s Lake have been relocated to the zoo.
• Groundwork has been completed at the ball complex and at the Vet’s Lake shop so building of the two new storage buildings can commence soon.
• Staff continues to offer support for numerous events scheduled for the Convention Center, including weddings, retirement celebrations, business meetings, the Chamber Banquet, etc.
• Staff recently planted 250 new trees at the nursery at the Expo Grounds
• Staff is completing preparations for the Great Bend Farm and Ranch Show scheduled for Wednesday through Friday.
• Portable restrooms have been placed at Stone Lake as requested.
Great Bend Municipal Cemetery
• New access roads have been cut into the north cemetery and that project should be completed before the Memorial Day weekend.
Great Bend Municipal Airport
• The terminal building will be getting a laminate wood floor installed over the next few weeks.
• Burns & McDonnell Engineers will visit this week to finalize construction phasing and power cable mapping for the next FAA grant on Runway 11-29.
• The airport is still awaiting agreement between Seaport Airlines and DOT to finalize Seaport’s routing to both Wichita and Kansas City. An estimated date for commencement of air service has not yet been set.
Police Department
• March 29-30 – D.A.R.E. had a booth at the Spring Expo.
• March 31 – Officer Jazmine Bell starts her 14 weeks of training at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.
• April 1 – Officers Jefferson Davis, Jacob Harlow and Adam Hales attended journalism classes at Great Bend High School to answer questions regarding law enforcement.
• April 2 – I Make A Difference party winner at Riley School.
• April 3 – D.A.R.E. assistant Susie Guenther, transferred to Municipal Court.
