Manhattan City Commission Summary
Week of July 22, 2026
Cowboy poetry contest set to kick off weekend festivities
Commissioners celebrate summer downtown and park events
Fort Riley transportation initiative drives traffic to Aggieville
Rezoning clears way for new Planet Fitness
City approves rezoning for Yuma Street Cultural Center
Commission scrutinizes, approves $216,000 forestry truck
Cowboy poetry contest set to kick off weekend festivities
MANHATTAN, Kan. - In conjunction with the National Day of the Cowboy, city officials promoted an upcoming cowboy poetry contest hosted at the Flint Hills Discovery Center. The cultural event begins at 7 p.m. Friday and serves as a prelude to Saturday's broader celebrations. City Manager Danielle Dulin shared personal remarks about judging the contest last year, describing the historical tradition of cowboy poetry as an incredibly inspiring and emotionally moving experience.
Commissioners celebrate summer downtown and park events
MANHATTAN, Kan. - City commissioners praised the success of recent community events aimed at bringing residents into city parks and the downtown area, highlighting strong attendance at recent Municipal Band and Arts in the Park concerts at the City Park bandshell. Officials also commended the turnout for the Third Thursday event in downtown Manhattan, noting that city departments participated by showcasing municipal equipment to the public.
Fort Riley transportation initiative drives traffic to Aggieville
MANHATTAN, Kan. - A Fort Riley transportation initiative is successfully bringing military personnel into the community, according to an update from the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization. The program provides soldiers ranked captain and below with two $30 transportation vouchers per month, funded through a mix of federal, state and philanthropic grants. Officials noted many riders are choosing to be dropped off and picked up in the Aggieville district, providing a boost to the local economy.
Rezoning clears way for new Planet Fitness
MANHATTAN, Kan. - A new Planet Fitness location is coming to East Poyntz Avenue following a unanimous city commission vote to rezone a tract of land near Sarber Lane. The property was rezoned from a neighborhood commercial district to a commercial planned unit development. The project will involve site redevelopment near Sarber Lane to construct a standalone fitness facility. Developers also plan to consolidate a driveway along the frontage road to improve traffic circulation in the highly congested commercial area.
City approves rezoning for Yuma Street Cultural Center
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The city commission unanimously approved an ordinance rezoning 930 Yuma St., paving the way for the proposed Yuma Street Cultural Center. The property, located across the street from Douglas Park facilities, was rezoned from a low-density residential attached district with an established neighborhood overlay to a business commercial district. A project architect from Baker McMillan Architects noted the rezoning previously received unanimous support from both the Historic Resources Board and the Board of Zoning Appeals, highlighting significant community investment in the neighborhood.
Commission scrutinizes, approves $216,000 forestry truck
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The city commission unanimously approved the $216,000 purchase of a new aerial bucket truck for the forestry division, but only after Commissioners Larry Fox and Jim Morrison pulled the item from the consent agenda for debate. During the debate, one commissioner questioned the six-figure expense to replace an 18-year-old truck with what was characterized as low engine hours. Parks Superintendent Casey Smithson explained the current vehicle struggles to pass safety certifications and frequently breaks down, posing a risk to workers. The funds will come from a $270,000 general capital improvement project fund budgeted last year for vehicle replacement.
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