Manhattan City 2025 In Review

Historic Winter Storm Blair Buries Manhattan

Winter Storm Blair brought 14.8 inches of snow to Manhattan on Jan. 4, 2025, marking the city's largest snowfall in 125 years. City crews plowed and hauled enough snow to clear a 12-foot path stretching 494 miles. The massive cleanup effort demonstrated the value of community investments in public services, ensuring streets remained passable and utilities continued running during the extreme weather.

City Adopts 2026 Budget with Focus on Stability

The Manhattan City Commission adopted the 2026 city budget on Sept. 16, 2025, balancing fiscal responsibility with community priorities. The budget maintains current service levels while funding a 2.4% cost-of-living adjustment for city employees to remain competitive. This fiscal plan will generate approximately $2.45 million in additional property tax revenue through a 1.397 mill levy increase, with roughly $1.8 million directed to the Riley County Police Department and Manhattan Public Library.

Anderson Avenue Undergoes $10.1 Million Reconstruction

A major utility and infrastructure reconstruction project began in June 2025 along Anderson Avenue between Harris and Connecticut avenues. The $10.1 million project replaces deteriorating pavement and underground utilities along a corridor that handles roughly 17,000 vehicles daily. Phase 1 construction is expected to last 10 months, with the entire project slated for an estimated completion in June 2027.

Street Maintenance Sales Tax Funds $7.25 Million in Repairs

Manhattan invested $7.25 million in construction projects throughout 2025, funded by the city's 0.20% Street Maintenance Sales Tax. Crews filled 15,259 potholes, swept 36,592 blocks, and poured 1,148 cubic yards of concrete across the city. The dedicated sales tax, which expires in March 2027, generates approximately $3.3 million annually for ongoing infrastructure improvements.

Aggieville Revitalization Progresses with Streetscape and Hotel

The city reached substantial completion on the $5.44 million north phase of 12th Street in late 2025, delivering updated utilities and a pedestrian-friendly streetscape. Concurrently, construction advanced on a 105-room Hampton Inn with a 100-stall parking garage on a former city surface lot, with an anticipated opening in fall 2026. The hotel project is expected to generate significant Tax Increment Financing revenue to strengthen the district's capacity for future public improvements.

Edge District Completes North Campus Corridor Infrastructure

The final phase of the Edge District infrastructure improvement plan concluded in fall 2025, focusing on the intersection of Kimball and Denison avenues. The $15.75 million project delivered new concrete streets, upgraded stormwater systems, and new signalization. This marks the culmination of a 10-year, $45 million public investment strategy that creates a fully reconstructed corridor supporting the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.

Manhattan Regional Airport Sets Passenger Records

Manhattan Regional Airport recorded its all-time highest monthly passenger volume in May 2025 with 8,360 enplanements, contributing to a year-end total of 166,623 passengers. The airport also bolstered general aviation by opening eight new hangars fully funded through federal and state grants. Looking ahead, the airport initiated design work for the reconstruction of Taxiway Alpha, a critical infrastructure upgrade slated for construction in late 2026.

CiCo Park Renovations Near Completion

Major construction at CiCo Park advanced significantly in 2025, preparing the complex for its first games in April 2026. The facility, supported by the Quality of Life Sales Tax, features new dugouts, turf, lighting, and an elevated viewing deck. Steel and Pipe Supply Company committed $500,000 over 10 years for naming rights to the renovated ballpark, ensuring long-term support for community park improvements.

Sunset Zoo Celebrates Accreditation and Leadership Legacy

Sunset Zoo successfully renewed its elite Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation, a distinction held by fewer than 10% of zoos worldwide. The year also marked the retirement of Zoo Director Scott Shoemaker after 29 years of transformative leadership, and the community mourned the passing of Susie, a 71-year-old Western chimpanzee who was one of the oldest in human care. Under Shoemaker's tenure, the zoo expanded facilities and hosted key conservation programs, leaving a lasting legacy for the region.

Flint Hills Discovery Center Welcomes New Director and Sculptures

Stephen Bridenstine was appointed director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center in 2025, bringing 11 years of experience at the facility to his new leadership role. The center is currently funding an outdoor classroom renovation featuring an all-weather shade structure and boardwalk. Additionally, sculptor Alan Tollakson is carving the "Vigilance" bison sculpture from Flint Hills limestone, which will soon grace the center's entrance.

Gateway Vision Plans for East Manhattan Growth

The city launched the East Manhattan Gateway Vision, a comprehensive planning effort to manage future growth along the U.S. Highway 24 corridor. The study area spans from the Manhattan Town Center Mall entrance to Hopkins Creek Road, including the McCall Triangle and growing Green Valley neighborhoods. This blueprint will help the city and Pottawatomie County coordinate infrastructure and responsible development to support long-term regional priorities.

Housing Incentives Spur $50 Million in New Development

Manhattan's dedicated Workforce Housing Sales Tax generated momentum in 2025, with nine approved projects representing $50 million in investment and 184 new housing units. Major commercial and residential developments include the 62-unit Sunflower Flats affordable senior housing project and the Hartford Project's mixed-use redevelopment at 700 Poyntz. Additionally, a $40 million privately funded rehabilitation of the historic Wareham Opera House is underway, targeting a late 2027 reopening.

City Modernizes Enterprise Software Systems

The City of Manhattan launched its new Oracle Fusion Enterprise Resource Planning system on July 3, 2025, completing a 13-month effort to replace 30-year-old financial software. The city also began implementing Oracle Permitting and Licensing to streamline contractor applications by June 2026, and initiated the SpryPoint system to modernize utility billing by early 2027. These upgrades are designed to provide stronger financial safeguards and more consistent public service delivery.

New Department Consolidates Technology and Communications

In October 2025, the city combined its Information Technology, Geographic Information Systems, and Communications and Marketing divisions to form the Department of Technology and Communications. Jared Wasinger was appointed as the department's director and Chief Information Officer, bringing 10 years of city experience to the role. The reorganization aims to improve service delivery, strengthen cybersecurity, and expand citywide software capabilities using the dedicated IT Fund.

Public Safety Operations Transition and Expand

The Riley County Police Department officially assumed responsibility for animal control services and enforcement in Manhattan as of January 2026, following a new contract approved in 2025. Meanwhile, the Manhattan Fire Department engaged WSKF to develop a master plan for a new training ground on Amherst Avenue, preparing to vacate their current site by the end of 2028 under a new 50-year lease for Fire Headquarters.

Manhattan Welcomes New City Leadership Officials

The city filled several key leadership positions in 2025, including Deann Tiede as Director of Human Resources and Sarah Smith-Barr as the new Municipal Judge. In the infrastructure sector, Randy DeWitt was promoted to Director of Public Utilities, overseeing water and wastewater systems, while Brian Johnson was named Director of Public Works to manage streets, drainage, and fleet maintenance. These appointments bring decades of specialized experience to Manhattan's municipal operations.

New Commissioners Sworn In for 2026 Term

Following the November 2025 local election, three new City Commissioners—Larry Fox, Jim Morrison, and Andrew Von Lintel—were sworn into office. Susan Adamchak was elected by the commission to serve as mayor for 2026, with Karen McCulloh selected as mayor pro tem. The five-member governing body determines all policy matters, approves ordinances, and adopts the annual budget for the City of Manhattan.

Source: MHK Insider Newsletter 'Year in Review' Special Issue

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