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Developer proposes phased reuse of Herington Hospital for seniors, medical services and a drone hub
Summary
A developer, identifying himself as Yan of Counc Development, proposed converting Herington Hospital into 28 studio units plus ancillary medical, veterinary and drone-logistics uses in a three-phase plan; the proposal requires environmental inspections and coordination with state agencies and possible city support for grant applications.
Yan, who identified himself as founder and CEO of Counc Development, presented a three-phase plan to refurbish Herington Hospital into a mixed-use facility focused on senior housing, medical services and an emergency drone hub.
"The bones are absolutely excellent," Yan said, adding that an architect’s preliminary review found no load-bearing walls that would impede conversion and that only one foundation wall needed repair. He said phase one would convert rooms into roughly 28 studios and about six one-bedroom units; phase two would reuse former clinical space for a veterinary clinic and behavioral-health and physical-therapy services; phase three would repurpose the helipad and adjacent space for a drone/VTOL hub focused on medical logistics rather than retail delivery.
Yan said the project team plans an environmental inspection (asbestos and lead checks) and noted that an independent-living classification would not require certain additional approvals. He said the team has had preliminary conversations with KSRE, USDA, the Kansas Department of Commerce and others and that those agencies have expressed conditional support. He also described an agricultural and horticulture component — small-scale orchards and gardens — intended to provide activity and modest employment for residents while supplying flowers and food to regional partners.
Commissioners asked about costs, grant matching, ownership and liability. Yan said the developer would provide matching efforts and that the city’s involvement could include filing or sponsoring grant applications; he argued the city would not be responsible for ongoing ownership unless it chose to be. City staff and commissioners discussed potential brownfield assessment work, environmental-clearance costs and whether the city should take a lead role in grant applications. The commission did not commit funding at the meeting but requested follow-up steps.
Next steps: staff agreed to coordinate a brownfield/environmental assessment path and to work with the developer to identify required applications and any city commitments for grant matching or sponsorship.
