The Kelly Plaza Project

WaKeeney Main Street, Heartland Community Foundation and The Kelly Plaza Project working together

The Kelly project is rolling along and gaining momentum!  The saving of this facade and adding the much needed public downtown bathrooms is Phase I of this beautification project.

It has been 46 years since WaKeeney has enjoyed this space that the Kelly Theatre occupied.  What presently remains is an empty shell and deteriorating walls within our downtown area.   The project, Kelly Plaza, will bring back a multi-use space to be enjoyed by all.  Phase I is to provide public restrooms downtown, which is a much needed addition, especially when WaKeeney hosts their downtown festivals and activities.    The current plan provides for four restrooms and the stabilization of the North and South walls.   

Phase II will be the public entertainment area.  This area will have a small stage on the west end for small local concerts and gatherings, seating, lighting and parking space close by for food trucks and vendors.  The completion of this project will most definitely enhance our downtown by providing a community gathering space and maintaining a piece of WaKeeney's history.  

The Kelly Plaza Project has currently banked approximately 50% of the fund needed for this project.   They continue to search and apply for grants.  And December 18th  received $1,000 from the Trego Youth Action Council.  A private donor has given this project a $25,000 matching fund on a dollar for dollar basis.  Cash or Checks can be made payable to the Heartland Community Foundation with Kelly Plaza in the memo line.    Or you can also give on line @ www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org    Scroll down to key words, put in Kelly Plaza project under Community Development.

Gifts of grain, livestock, shares of stock, and Qualified Charitable Distributions that counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution are also welcome.  

Gifts can be mailed to Heartland Community Foundation P O Box 1673, Hays, KS  67601

or you can contact a member of the finance committee for this project, Kent Heckman, Dave Hendricks or Janeen Brown.

Your support of this project is appreciated !