News editor
Wichita developer Mark Cox has the financing in place to build six duplexes in Hillsboro for low-to-moderate income residents, and city councilors took steps Tuesday to meet their part of the deal by obtaining two additional pieces of property for the development.
“Our share of this was the ability to have lots for six duplexes,” City Administrator Larry Paine said. “The primary piece we were looking at was on Lincoln St. between Third and Second Sts.”
The city sold one of the lots at that location two years ago for a duplex project that never materialized, Paine said. Council members approved buying the lot back for $5,000, which will allow four duplexes to be built at that site.
The city will make an offer of $5,000 for a vacant lot on S. Cedar St., Paine said, and it already owns a lot on the west side of the 200 block of Ash St. that Cox can use.
Paine made it clear the city would not become landlord for the development.
“We will not retain ownership of the property,” he said. “The rentals won’t be handled in town.”
Paine said the city will see a “turnaround” when the property changes hands, as the city has paid for taxes and upkeep of the lots it owns.
Council members scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday to review applicants for economic development director. Paine said the city received 10 applications for the position, which is open due to Clint Seibel’s retirement.