Development north of interstate booming in recent years

By ERIC W. NORRIS

Hays Daily News

The area north of Interstate 70 continues to grow by leaps and bounds as developers continue to look at the area to possibly open businesses.

A representative of Sandor Development of Indianapolis, Tim Kushner, went before the Hays City Commission on Feb. 17 to formally express interest in bringing a large retail development to the area.

“Sandor owns approximately 6 and a half million square feet of retail property in 19 states, primarily in the Midwest,” Kushner told the board. “We have done our research and are excited at the prospect of doing a development here in Hays.”

Specifically, Kushner said, his company is interested in land just north of Wal-Mart and has begun contract negotiations with the land owner. The contract is pending the city's decision to move forward with the project.

Kushner said Sandor is planning on building a 125,000- to 150,000-square-foot development that could house between 25 and 30 retailers.

According to the Sandor Web site, developments across the Midwest that they have brought to communities are anchored by such national chains as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Kroger, Kohl's, Best Buy, Sam's Club, Office Max, Circuit City and Home Depot.

It also says that the developments have a “strong presence of national retailers.”

Yet, at these initial stages of negotiations, Kushner did not say what retailers are possibly interested in a Hays location, nor what anchor it would bring in. He assured commissioners that Sandor Development has no concerns about bringing in businesses.

“We have our anchor and we are very confident other retailers will follow us,” Kushner said. “We have done a large number of developments and retailers know what kind of numbers they can expect when they come with us. They are also confident in the market here.”

Kushner added, “We do our research and are interested in bringing new and unique retailers to an area. We want to offer something new and exciting not just more of the same thing.”

Revenue projections for the development, Kushner said, fall between $18 and $19 million “once the center is fully developed.”

“This development will have a soft goods retailer for an anchor,” Kushner said. “Our idea is a complementary mix of retailers and quite possibly a restaurant.”

Sandor upon completion of the economic development application will ask the city for $2 million in transportation district development bonds.

The bonds are to be used for developing the road infrastructure leading to the development.

Stores Sandor Development might bring to the area will join the 30-plus retailers already in operation along with the Home Depot development.

The developer of the Home Depot project, Overland Park-based D.J. Christie Inc., also is being tight-lipped about what retailers are interested.

The development is looking to house six or seven retailers or less if another big box store signs on.

Estimates are that Home Depot will be open for business the summer of this year.