Reinvestment housing incentive district approved for Iron Flats Phase 2

City prepares for updated 2027 comprehensive housing assessment

Commission approves community improvement district for Marshal Hotel

Public hearing set for South Second Avenue Quick Pick renovation

Contract awarded for Boot Hill Museum bypass water line

City commission plans regional lobbying effort following ICE operations

City promotes "Walk With Your Neighbor" event amid community tensions

Ford County declares emergency disaster following rainstorms

2. Reinvestment housing incentive district approved for Iron Flats Phase 2

DODGE CITY, Kan. — A development agreement and plan for the Iron Flats Phase 2 Reinvestment Housing Incentive District were unanimously approved following a public hearing. The agreement between the city and Volz Builders LLC paves the way for the construction of 21 single-family homes, each requiring an assessed valuation of at least $260,000. The special district will capture the incremental increase in property tax assessments over the next 25 years to pay off the publicly owned infrastructure associated with the subdivision.

3. City prepares for updated 2027 comprehensive housing assessment

DODGE CITY, Kan. — City staff confirmed preparations are underway for a new comprehensive housing assessment. The city is partnering with RDG Planning and Design — a firm that has conducted local housing studies since 2009 — to host public meetings and evaluate current real estate market needs. The resulting 2027 housing assessment is expected to be completed by the end of the year to help guide future builder incentives and grant applications.

4. Commission approves community improvement district for Marshal Hotel

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The city commission voted 5-0 to approve an ordinance creating the Downtown Hotel Community Improvement District at 619 N. Second Ave., the future site of the Marshal Hotel project. Petitioned by Noble Hospitality, LLC, the parent company of developer New West Hotels LLC, the district will levy an additional 2 percent sales tax to finance $3 million of the project's $12 million total renovation cost. The development operates on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning the developer will not receive any reimbursement for eligible construction costs until the extra sales tax funds are collected from the operating business.

5. Public hearing set for South Second Avenue Quick Pick renovation

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The commission unanimously approved a resolution setting a public hearing for Nov. 2, 2026, to discuss the creation of a new community improvement district at 608 S. Second Ave. Dodge Petroleum Inc. intends to renovate a long-vacant 12,000-square-foot building into a Quick Pick gas station, grocery store, bakery and restaurant. The developer is requesting a 2 percent additional sales tax to fund $4.8 million of the project, which aims to revitalize a major southern entry point into the city.

6. Contract awarded for Boot Hill Museum bypass water line

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The city commission approved a $76,166 quote from local contractor Building Solutions LLC to construct a bypass water line inside the Boot Hill Museum complex. The project involves abandoning a highly pressurized 16-inch water line that currently runs beneath the complex and redirecting it around the building's exterior. Director of Engineering Services Ray Slattery noted the relocation is necessary due to ongoing streetscape expansions and to prevent potential flooding in the museum's basement, where historical artifacts are stored.

7. City commission plans regional lobbying effort following ICE operations

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Following severe public backlash regarding recent federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, Dodge City officials confirmed they had no prior knowledge of or coordination with ICE agents. City Manager Nick Hernandez stated local law enforcement was never given a point of contact or a list of individuals detained by ICE, stating the lack of information left the city struggling to maintain order and respond to inquiries about missing residents. In response to citizens' demands for action, the city commission announced plans to partner with Garden City and Liberal to aggressively lobby federal representatives, with officials citing extreme frustration over the federal government's lack of communication and stating the operations caused a heavy disruption to the local workforce and economy.

8. City promotes "Walk With Your Neighbor" event amid community tensions

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Assistant City Manager of Public Affairs Melissa McCoy invited the public to participate in a "Walk With Your Neighbor" event, organized in conjunction with the Cultural Relations Advisory Board. The event will take place Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m., with participants meeting behind the student union at Dodge City Community College. The initiative aims to foster unity, dialogue and stronger relationships among residents and local college students.

9. Ford County declares emergency disaster following rainstorms

FORD COUNTY, Kan. — City Manager Nick Hernandez informed the city commission that Ford County has officially declared an emergency disaster in the wake of recent severe rainstorms. While local government infrastructure may not meet the damage threshold required for federal public assistance, officials are urging residents and business owners to report any private property damage to the city or Ford County Emergency Management to accurately document the storm's total impact on the community.

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