Manhattan City Commission Summary
Week of June 17, 2026
Commission advances STAR Bond district for K-State's Edge 3.0 project
Tax increment finance district overlay approved for Champions Gate
Residents voice concerns over proposed Champions Gate TIF district
Former TIF district paid off, returning $15 million to Manhattan tax rolls
Flint Hills Discovery Center to build $496,000 outdoor classroom
Flint Hills Discovery Center celebrates 1 million visitors
New bison sculpture dedicated at Discovery Center
City and K-State partner for watershed study
City commends crews for extensive storm debris cleanup
Commission advances STAR Bond district for K-State's Edge 3.0 project
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Manhattan City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance establishing a STAR Bond district overlay map for the proposed Edge 3.0 project on the Kansas State University campus and nearby project area.
The 5-0 vote solely establishes the district's boundaries, a necessary step to unlock state-level feasibility studies and detailed project plans. The proposed development aims to generate economic growth through corporate research hubs and sports destinations.
City officials and university representatives emphasized that no general obligation debt or city tax abatements are involved in the STAR Bond funding structure.
Tax increment finance district overlay approved for Champions Gate
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Commissioners voted 5-0 to establish a tax increment finance district for Champions Gate, a proposed mixed-use development near the northeast corner of College Avenue and Kimball Avenue brought forward by the Kansas State University Foundation.
The district would capture incremental property taxes to reimburse the developer for specific horizontal infrastructure costs over a 20-year period.
Tuesday's vote only establishes the district's geographic boundaries to allow for further financial analysis by the state and does not approve any specific development agreements or project plans.
Residents voice concerns over proposed Champions Gate TIF district
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Several residents expressed skepticism during Tuesday's public hearing regarding the proposed Champions Gate tax increment finance district, questioning the addition of hospitality and entertainment venues in a designated research park.
Residents argued the land near the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility should be strictly reserved for major research entities rather than hotels or bars, warning against creating a new entertainment district that competes with Aggieville.
Residents also voiced concern over delaying city and county property tax revenue growth on the parcels for up to 20 years.
Former TIF district paid off, returning $15 million to Manhattan tax rolls
MANHATTAN, Kan. — A significant tax increment finance district in Manhattan has officially been paid off, returning approximately $15 million of assessed valuation back to the local tax rolls.
A resident publicly highlighted a recent letter from Riley County confirming the expiration of the Downtown Redevelopment tax increment finance district, which originally funded land acquisition and infrastructure for the city's North and South project areas, including the sites of the current Hy-Vee and Blue Earth Plaza.
The transition is expected to generate nearly $1 million in additional annual property tax revenue for the city's general fund and other local taxing jurisdictions, prompting early calls from residents for the commission to consider corresponding property tax relief in the upcoming budget.
Flint Hills Discovery Center to build $496,000 outdoor classroom
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The city commission unanimously approved a $496,000 phase two design-build agreement with McCownGordon Construction for a new outdoor classroom at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
The project will feature a permanent shade structure, an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible boardwalk built over a native prairie bioswale, and new lighting to accommodate evening programming.
The Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation is funding 100 percent of the project costs through private donations and state community tax credits, with construction slated to begin in September.
Flint Hills Discovery Center celebrates 1 million visitors
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The Flint Hills Discovery Center recently welcomed its 1 millionth visitor, a major milestone announced during Tuesday's city commission meeting.
The achievement highlights the facility's ongoing role as a primary educational and tourism anchor for downtown Manhattan since its opening.
Officials noted that the attendance milestone is equivalent to the entire population of the city of Manhattan walking through the center's doors 18 times.
New bison sculpture dedicated at Discovery Center
MANHATTAN, Kan. — A new Kansas limestone sculpture, "Vigilance," was recently installed in front of the Flint Hills Discovery Center.
The piece, featuring a life-size bison cow and calf hand-carved by Emporia artist Alan Tollakson, honors the late conservationist Jan Garton and her landmark work preserving the Cheyenne Bottoms wetlands.
The sculpture was made possible through a donation by the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation and expands the outdoor interpretive trail surrounding the downtown facility.
City and K-State partner for watershed study
MANHATTAN, Kan. — The city will partner with Kansas State University to study collaborative stormwater detention solutions through a campus-area watershed study.
Commissioners authorized staff to negotiate a professional services fee with Alfred Benesch & Co. for the project, which aims to mitigate severe downstream flooding in the downtown east and Aggieville areas.
The university and city intend to split the cost of the study, which is budgeted at $600,000 but estimated to come in around $400,000.
City commends crews for extensive storm debris cleanup
MANHATTAN, Kan. — Commissioners praised city public works and parks crews for their rapid response and ongoing cleanup efforts following the severe June 9 storms that left substantial tree debris across Manhattan.
While celebrating the swift removal of downed branches from residential areas, officials reminded property owners to sweep up remaining leaves and smaller debris from the streets to prevent storm sewer blockages and localized street flooding.
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