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Hays City approves resolution allowing abatement action for 3404 Vine Street property
Summary
The Hays City Commission approved a resolution (2025-004) authorizing potential abatement and demolition of the vacant structure at 3404 Vine Street after staff determined the building is a dangerous structure under the city’s property-maintenance code; staff said they will coordinate with the property owner’s representative before taking action.
The Hays City Commission voted 5-0 to approve resolution No. 2025-004, authorizing the city to abate and, if necessary, demolish vacant structures at 3404 Vine Street (the Roadway Inn) if the owner does not take corrective action.
“After all that has taken place, the property was deemed to be a dangerous structure per the adopted property maintenance code,” Jesse Rohrer, Director of Public Works, told the commission. He said the state fire marshal, Hays planning and development inspection staff, and the local fire department had inspected the property and cited structural, electrical, HVAC and water-leak issues; the property was closed last fall and a formal abatement process began in October.
Rohrer said the city has provided required notices to the owners and that, to date, there has been “little to no known action on the property.” He described visible structural problems including propped balconies and interior violations cited by inspectors.
The resolution authorizes the city to act 10 days after its signing if the owner does not make progress. Commissioners emphasized they do not intend to act immediately if a bona fide sale or remediation is underway. The commission heard that the owner’s representative had previously presented a letter of intent toward a sale but no recorded contract.
“We're not gonna be unreasonable here, but we're also not gonna let them string it on forever,” a commissioner said while asking city staff to monitor progress. Rohrer said staff will ask the owner’s representative for a plan of action, request regular updates, and confirm progress with Grow Hays staff; if progress stalls, staff may move forward with abatement.
The motion to approve resolution No. 2025-004 was moved by Commissioner Cunningham and seconded by Commissioner Reuter; the commission approved the resolution by a 5-0 vote. If staff deems abatement necessary after the notice period, the city would contract for demolition and related work, officials said.
