City commission approves expansion of downtown STAR Bond district

Commission formalizes agreement for Marshal Hotel project

City inks property swap deal with Boot Hill Museum for Marshal Hotel parking

Downtown common consumption area sees success, delayed expansion

Emergency drainage repairs approved despite budget concerns

Commissioners press for final bill on wastewater plant void repairs

City reacquires land to relocate U.S. 50 cowboy silhouette

City commission approves expansion of downtown STAR Bond district

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City commission unanimously approved an ordinance Monday to expand the boundaries of the downtown Sales Tax and Revenue bond Heritage District. The original bonds are expected to be paid off in 2026 or 2027, leaving about eight years of sales tax retention for the district. The newly expanded footprint adds a block and a half to the north, including the First National Bank building and a vacant lot, along with adjacent streetscapes. Finance director Nicole May noted the estimated $13 million to $15 million in projected funds will support infrastructure upgrades, a proposed motorsports museum initiative and "projection mapping"—a new initiative to project animated videos onto downtown landmarks, including features on prominent downtown building facades and public-art installations.

Commission formalizes agreement for Marshal Hotel project

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The commission unanimously adopted a resolution officially executing a development agreement with New West Hotels LLC to transform the historic First National Bank building into the Marshal Hotel. City attorney Paige Gilmore confirmed the resolution codifies the commission's preliminary approval granted during an April 9 special session. The agreement is a critical step in the city's broader downtown revitalization plan, anchoring future tourism and Sales Tax and Revenue bond-funded infrastructure projects around the new facility.

City inks property swap deal with Boot Hill Museum for Marshal Hotel parking

DODGE CITY, Kan. — In a move to support the Marshal Hotel project, the commission approved a memorandum of understanding with the Boot Hill Museum. Under the agreement, the city will take ownership of a museum-owned resource center building near downtown to demolish the facility and develop a parking lot for the Marshal Hotel. In exchange, the city will use Sales Tax and Revenue bond revenues to fund major capital improvements at the museum complex, including a $350,000 office remodel, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms, public art spaces and underground utility relocations.

Downtown common consumption area sees success, delayed expansion

DODGE CITY, Kan. — A six-month review of the city's downtown common consumption area program revealed zero law enforcement issues or alcohol-related infractions since its inception. The district allows patrons to carry approved alcoholic beverages outdoors between participating businesses, including Boot Hill Distillery. While some businesses requested expanding the ordinance to allow daily operations, the commission agreed to wait until the end of the summer season to evaluate the district's performance before authorizing expanded hours.

Emergency drainage repairs approved despite budget concerns

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The commission voted 4-0 to accept a $235,620 bid from Building Solutions to fix severe erosion along a drainage channel near a residence on the west side. The bid came in roughly $34,000 over the engineer's estimate, prompting questions about the funding source, which staff indicated would require juggling the drainage fund and capital improvement budgets. The motion was ultimately approved after city engineer Tanner Rutschman assured the commission that the city had already identified $32,000 in potential value-engineering savings to negotiate the final price down.

Commissioners press for final bill on wastewater plant void repairs

DODGE CITY, Kan. — City officials approved two change orders related to the ongoing repair of sinkhole voids beneath the city's wastewater treatment plant, amid discussions regarding the piecemeal funding requests. The commission approved a $138,441 cost decrease from contractor GeoStabilization International, who switched to compaction grouting due to equipment issues caused by soil clay, alongside a $199,545 increase for UCI to provide continued ground support and site cleanup. Stressing that the city has no choice but to finish the project, a request was made for staff to return with a single, comprehensive "not-to-exceed" figure for the remaining work—estimated to be completed in 2027—to eliminate the need for biweekly updates.

City reacquires land to relocate U.S. 50 cowboy silhouette

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The iconic Dodge City cowboy silhouette will soon have a new, permanent home after the commission authorized the $250 purchase of a land parcel from the Kansas Department of Transportation. Displaced by the recent U.S. Highway 50 widening project, the silhouette will be erected just east of its original location. City staff plan to issue a request for qualifications to design a safe viewing area, complete with a dedicated parking lot, pathway and security lighting, preventing tourists from dangerously stopping their vehicles along the highway access road.

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