HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council Tuesday approved an exclusive agreement with a development firm for a new hotel and convention center.
Leisure Development Group wanted the exclusive agreement with the city to develop the project over the next six months after a study was completed to address the need and feasibility of such a facility.
The council seemed to indicate it wanted some cost for the project, possibly some site plans and maybe four locations at the end of the six month period. City Manager John Deardoff says that’s probably not realistic.
“That’s a lot of architect engineering work that I don’t believe this company is going to do,” Deardoff said. “They’re making their decision on what hotel is going to work, that’s been very loud and clear.”
He adds that money generated from any development won’t come from the convention center itself but from rooms in the hotel.
At this point, there would be no cost or obligation on the part of the city, but depending what occurs in the next six months, they could then develop a more extensive agreement with the Leisure group.
Funding from the city would be limited. Deardoff noted there is a bed tax that is in effect. Beyond that, they could be looking at property tax. Any decision on financing is a long way off.
A location still needs to be selected. The most likely spot would be along the K-61 corridor.