Editor's note: Updates added 2:06 p.m. Thursday, July 16 on the Unsworth proposal.
By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Hays USD 489 has received two revised and one additional bid on vacant land north of Felten Elementary School (the former Hays Middle School).
SEE RELATED STORY: Hays USD 489 board sees plans on potential housing development
The board members asked Superintendent Ron Wilson to reach out to the original bidders with requests to have larger square footage homes and submit plans with only single-family homes.
The board also expresses some concern that the bids on the property were well below the appraised price of more than $600,000.
However, the appraiser told the board that the appraisal was based on commercial use, and the board members said they thought single-family housing was more in line with the board’s mission.
The new bids included the previous bidders: Land Inspired at $238,000 for 38 single-family homes, and PWC at $300,000 for 30 single-family homes.
A&S Unsworth LLC submitted a bid of $410,000 with plans to construct an elder care home on the property.
Aunalies Unsworth, owner, said Thursday she and her husband already own the Willow House in Hays, which is a elder care facility. Their plan for the property would be to build two additional care facilities while possibly expanding to build assisted living or community homes on the remainder of the property.
Jayme Goetz, board member, said Monday, “I like what we got back from this one. Besides the price they are offering, I’m seeing some new content.”
Board Vice President Ruth Ruder also said she was pleased with the new bids and the addition of the A&S Unsworth as an option.
She questioned whether Unsworth would pay taxes or operate as a nonprofit.
Unsworth said Thursday the Willow House operate as a for-profit business, and it does pay property taxes.
She said she is working with the school district to answer any additional questions about their proposal.
The board members estimated the school district’s tax revenue from the PWC project would be $120,000 and from the Land Inspired project $130,000.
PWC has also indicated that they intend to give preference to new homes for educators first. Goetz said she appreciates this effort.
Brooks said he supported the middle bid from PWC.
Board member Derek Yarmer said Monday the board needed to know the potential tax revenue for the school district for the Unworth project before voting on the sale.
The board voted to table the decision again until it could have the tax information.
However, Ruder said she urged the board not to table the issue again after it had been tabled multiple times previously.
“You can’t keep pushing off these builders because their expenses are going up, too,” she said. “We are going to have to make a decision.”
The issue will be considered again at the board’s Aug. 17 meeting.