Junction City Commission Summary
Week of March 4, 2026
City allocates opioid settlement funds for local addiction treatment
Magdalene Project announces new hub for wraparound services
City plans new task force to coordinate homelessness services
Drive-thru coffee shop approved for East Chestnut Street
Highwind project secures state commercial rehabilitation grant
Public works outlines timeline for summer street repairs
Spring community cleanup set for April, will not accept tires
City renews $10,000 sponsorship for Juneteenth celebration
City allocates opioid settlement funds for local addiction treatment
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Junction City Commission approved a $41,310 allocation from its opioid settlement funds to Restoration Center Inc. The money will cover medication-assisted treatment for nine uninsured Junction City residents for the remainder of the year. While the commission discussed delaying the funding until a formalized homeless task force could be established to review local initiatives, the body ultimately voted to distribute the funds immediately to address urgent addiction needs and prevent lapses in treatment.
Magdalene Project announces new hub for wraparound services
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The Magdalene Project will relocate to a newly leased building at Seventh and Madison streets on April 1, creating a centralized hub where unhoused residents can access wraparound services. Representatives reported serving 49 distinct individuals during a two-week winter warming-shelter operation. The city commission discussed using $14,400 in opioid settlement funds to cover the facility's first year of rent but tabled the proposal to verify whether rent is an allowable expense under state opioid-settlement spending rules.
City plans new task force to coordinate homelessness services
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — City officials are drafting a resolution to create an 11-member advisory homeless task force to coordinate work among local agencies, the county and the school district. The task force would review requests and make funding recommendations to the city commission while also serving as a hub for reporting and data gathering. Officials said the goal is to reduce duplication of services for unhoused residents and people struggling with substance abuse.
Drive-thru coffee shop approved for East Chestnut Street
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — A new Starbucks drive-thru is coming to Junction City after the city commission unanimously approved a final plat for a commercial property on East Chestnut Street. The drive-thru business will replace an existing semi-truck parking lot near entrances serving Aldi and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. To manage traffic, developers said they will reduce the property's 70-foot driveway to a 40-foot right-in, right-out access point.
Highwind project secures state commercial rehabilitation grant
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The city commission approved a directed assistance agreement allowing Highwind Brewing Co. to use a $300,000 Kansas Department of Commerce Community Development Block Grant for rehabilitation work, including improvements tied to an event area. The city will serve as a pass-through entity for reimbursements, limiting financial risk to taxpayers. Under the economic development agreement, the business must create nine full-time equivalent positions, including at least five dedicated to low-to-moderate-income individuals.
Public works outlines timeline for summer street repairs
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The public works department announced timelines for several infrastructure and paving projects, including an overlay on a major city street scheduled from mid-May through July 1. Other taxpayer-funded projects discussed included citywide concrete work starting March 16, renovations to a city community facility parking lot beginning April 6 and an imminent bidding process for improvements on another arterial street.
Spring community cleanup set for April, will not accept tires
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — The city commission proclaimed April 20–25 as the Week of Community Cleanup, providing eight monitored drop-off locations for residents to dispose of large waste items. Unlike last year's event, the city will not accept used tires. Public works officials said the previous cleanup yielded more than 6,000 tires, which took crews a month to process and proved too costly for the city to repeat.
City renews $10,000 sponsorship for Juneteenth celebration
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. — Junction City will provide $10,000 in funding for this year's Juneteenth festival, matching the city's prior contribution. The Junction City Juneteenth Community Association said it plans to use the money to expand digital marketing across social media and event platforms, aiming to build on last year's turnout and attract larger crowds and performers from nearby Kansas cities.
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