Manhattan City Commission Summary
Week of March 18, 2026
Commission rejects $660,000 bid for Blue Earth Plaza water feature
City commits $504,000 for sidewalk project along Fort Riley Boulevard
Grand opening set for Steel & Pipe Supply Ballpark on March 28
Additional $96,000 approved for ballpark safety netting
Tax exemption finalized for private event-space redevelopment
Commission rejects $660,000 bid for Blue Earth Plaza water feature
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Manhattan City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to reject a nearly $660,000 bid from BHS Construction to renovate the Blue Earth Plaza water feature, authorizing city administration to negotiate directly with the contractor for a lower price. The project aims to convert the existing 18-inch-deep river feature into a zero-depth splash pad to eliminate drowning risks. While there was strong support for preserving a water element to connect the plaza to the Flint Hills Discovery Center, officials balked at the price tag, which came in 42 percent over the architect's estimate.
City commits $504,000 for sidewalk project along Fort Riley Boulevard
MANHATTAN, Kan. - A long-awaited sidewalk gap project along Fort Riley Boulevard will move forward this fall after the city commission approved $504,000 for the city's share of construction and inspection costs. The project, which bid at $2.22 million, will be primarily funded by an 80 percent matching grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation and a $100,000 Sunflower Foundation grant. The improvements will add an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant crossing and a continuous sidewalk between Westwood Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, fulfilling a top priority in the city's bicycle master plan.
Grand opening set for Steel & Pipe Supply Ballpark on March 28
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The city will host the grand opening of Steel & Pipe Supply Ballpark on Saturday, March 28, at 9 a.m. Residents are invited to tour the new ball fields, concession stand and warm-up areas, with parks and recreation staff on hand to answer questions. The community event will feature complimentary hot dogs and a limited number of commemorative T-shirts, culminating with Mayor Susan Adamchak throwing out the first pitch.
Additional $96,000 approved for ballpark safety netting
MANHATTAN, Kan. - The city commission approved a $96,166 increase to the BHS Construction contract for safety netting and fencing around a new playground at Steel & Pipe Supply Ballpark. The addition raises the phase two guaranteed maximum price of the CiCo Park improvements project to $16.5 million, funded through a voter-approved sales tax fund. Officials noted the 20-foot-tall netting is a necessary safety precaution to protect the playground area from foul balls during games at adjacent fields.
Tax exemption finalized for private event-space redevelopment
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Commissioners voted 5-0 to issue Series 2026 industrial revenue bonds for "The Press" redevelopment project, finalizing a sales tax exemption on construction materials for the developer. The city will not issue actual funds; rather, the action allows the developers of the repurposed 1940s-era factory to leverage the city's tax-exempt status, saving an estimated $100,000 to $200,000. The newly opened venue features live music event space, batting cages for youth baseball and softball, and a church.
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