City sets public hearing for Edge 3.0 TIF and STAR bond districts

Commission amends Future Land Use Map despite opposition from nearby residents

Commission approves more than $1.4 million in summer pavement projects

Public meetings scheduled for Highway 24 corridor and bridge study

City reallocates Community Development Block Grant funds to avoid HUD penalties

City eases fire and building codes for in-home childcare providers

New military family clinic opens to serve area veterans

City sets public hearing for Edge 3.0 TIF and STAR bond districts

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The Manhattan City Commission voted 4-1 at its May 5 meeting to schedule a June 16 public hearing to establish tax increment financing and STAR bond districts for the proposed Edge 3.0 development. The $297.6 million project, spearheaded by the Kansas State University Foundation, aims to build an indoor track facility, hotel, condos and restaurants near College and Kimball avenues. A commissioner cast the lone dissenting vote following a debate over the lack of specific financial details currently available to the public. City Manager Danielle Dulin said advancing the process will formally trigger the state to release its financial feasibility studies prior to the June hearing.

Commission amends Future Land Use Map despite opposition from nearby residents

MANHATTAN, Kan. - In a 4-1 vote, the commission approved an ordinance updating the city's Future Land Use Map, a move that extends planning boundaries into Green Valley and modifies zoning visions for another planning area. A commissioner voted against the measure, echoing concerns from residents who attended the meeting to protest potential industrial zoning and who argued that the county area is currently petitioning to incorporate as its own city. Community Development Director Stephanie Peterson emphasized that the map serves strictly as a visionary, 20-year planning tool and does not change current property zoning or annex any land.

Commission approves more than $1.4 million in summer pavement projects

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The commission unanimously approved three major pavement maintenance contracts, allocating funds for concrete and asphalt repairs across the city. The projects include a state-subsidized mill and overlay on Fort Riley Boulevard, a full-depth concrete reconstruction that will close Browning Avenue for the summer, and broader asphalt maintenance work. Public Works Director Brian Johnson said total street maintenance spending will reach approximately $3.5 million this year, and crews will prioritize the completion of collector street repairs before Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 begins its fall semester in August.

Public meetings scheduled for Highway 24 corridor and bridge study

MANHATTAN, Kan. - The mayor announced that the Kansas Department of Transportation will host two upcoming public information meetings regarding the Highway 24 corridor study and the potential construction of a second bridge connection across the Big Blue River. Residents can attend the sessions on June 22 at a local public facility or June 23 at Pottorf Hall, with both meetings running from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Additional information regarding the transportation planning efforts can be found through the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization.

City reallocates Community Development Block Grant funds to avoid HUD penalties

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Following a warning from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding an excess of unspent grant money, the commission unanimously approved the 2026 Annual Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant program. The city will quickly spend down its surplus by funding a major water main and infrastructure project at Fifth and Leavenworth streets to support the Manhattan Housing Authority, as well as replacing aging playground equipment at Douglas Park. To prevent future grant backlogs, the city has established an internal review process to keep eligible infrastructure and ADA-compliance projects continuously in the pipeline.

City eases fire and building codes for in-home childcare providers

MANHATTAN, Kan. - In an effort to address a severe local shortage of licensed childcare capacity, the commission unanimously passed an ordinance exempting residential childcare centers with 12 or fewer children from commercial fire and building codes. Fire Chief Scott French said the state fire marshal took over all childcare facility inspections in 2024, and the city's previous codes inadvertently classified residential homes as commercial properties if the homeowner no longer lived on site. The amendment, requested by a local childcare advocacy group, aligns city codes with state regulations to help entrepreneurs open and maintain more home-based daycare centers.

New military family clinic opens to serve area veterans

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Mayor Susan Adamchak announced the grand opening of the Stephen A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone, located on Kimball Avenue in the Edge District. The clinic will provide mental health care services to military veterans, active-duty service members and their families. Adamchak said the organization is bringing outside foundation funding into the community while leasing space and creating job opportunities for local mental health professionals.

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