Council votes against vacating Washington Street
The Hillsboro City Council rejected a request Tuesday from Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church to vacate Washington Street.
The formal request to vacate Washington Street joining the parking lot on the west with the site of the former church building came from church representative Darrel Driggers.
The 60,000 square foot Hillsboro Mennonite Brethren Church was destroyed March 7 in a fire of undetermined origin. It was one of the largest Mennonite churches in Kansas and damage was estimated at $2.3 million.
In his presentation, Driggers listed several advantages to vacating the street.
One advantage is the additional parking it would provide for the downtown area. Another advantage is the church would build a "true parking lot" of asphalt or concrete which not only could be used for parking but also for the arts and crafts fair and other community events.
A third advantage, according to Driggers, is there would be no need for a parking variance for the church. If the church is built on the lot of the former church, it will have to return to the council to ask for a parking variance.
A long-term benefit to the city is Washington Street, which is in disrepair, would not have to undergo costly repairs. Finally, the former church's basement was used as a tornado refuge for downtown businesses and as an evacuation site for USD 410. The new church on the same site could be utilized the same way.
"Our church is a downtown, community-based church," said Driggers. "We would like to stay downtown."
Although plans are not finalized for the building of the new church, Driggers estimated the new church will be 35,000 to 40,000 square feet. If Washington Street were vacated, the sanctuary would face Grand Street with an off-street, drop-off driveway.
"If we plan for growth, we need a 13,000 to 15,000 square foot sanctuary," said Driggers. "Then we need to add another 15,000 to 25,000 square feet for an education wing."
Driggers said it would be feasible for the new building to be a single story structure, if the council would be willing to vacate Washington Street.
According to Driggers, the church could assume responsibility for removing Washington Street and building up the lot.
"Don't you think it is better to wait to see what could realistically be built?" asked council member Len Coryea. "The church is not the owner of Vogt's IGA building. To ask to vacate the street is premature."
"We're under contract to buy Vogt's building," Driggers said. "Two-thirds of the property is already owned by the church. Our commitment is to buy the rest of the lot."
There was discussion about the June 24 public hearing. People in attendance who spoke were against vacating the street. Most of the concerns were about emergency routes and the flow of traffic.
"The vacating of a street comes to the city council and the council makes the decision," said Steve Garrett. "We don't rule by public hearing."
"The input I have gotten from patrons is not to close the street," Coryea said.
"Keep the street open is what patrons are telling me," said council member Shelby Dirks.
"I've gotten the same response," council member Matt Hiebert said. "I live on Lincoln Street and residents on that street have concerns.
"We are elected to do what the people of Hillsboro tell us and people who discussed the issue with me are against it [vacating the street]."
Of the 80 to 100 residents who contacted council members, none were in favor of vacating Washington Street. Hiebert said many people had expressed the desire to have the church rebuilt in the same location without vacating the street.
"The council has to make a decision based on what it feels is best for the community," said Driggers. "The church needs to know if Washington Street will be vacated. We know we will build a church — where is the question."
Coryea made the motion not to vacate Washington Street, seconded by Byron McCarty. The motion passed unanimously.
