The Hutchinson City Council approved a contract on Jan. 7 to acquire a property at 206 West Sixth for $15,000 and to exchange parcels with the nonprofit New Beginnings Inc. City Attorney Paul Brown presented the agreements and described the swap as a coordinated effort to assemble parcels for development near 12th and Hayes while enabling New Beginnings to expand adjacent to its offices at 200 West Sixth.

Brown told the council city staff identified the additional parcels as helpful for future development of city-owned property at 12th and Hayes. Under the agreements, the city will buy 206 West Sixth from Adriana Perez for $15,000 and then deed that parcel to New Beginnings; New Beginnings will deed two parcels adjacent to the city-owned Twelfth and Hayes property to the city.

City leaders characterized the exchange as a cooperative strategy to advance housing and redevelopment goals on the south side. The council voted to approve the real estate contract and the exchange agreement and authorized the mayor to sign.

The item was presented as a transactional matter to aid future development; councilmembers complimented staff and community partners for coordinating the exchange and noted the parcels are “prime for development.” Staff will proceed with the closings and record the deed transfers as agreed.