Manhattan local news summary
Week of August 9 2025
Prairiewood Zoning Case Appealed to Kansas Supreme Court
County Reduces Opioid Program Funding, Citing Fiscal Concerns
Jacob Hansen Appointed New Riley County Counselor
City Advances Downtown Revitalization with Hampton Inn Project
Manhattan Considers Annexation for Growth Near Airport
Prairiewood Zoning Case Appealed to Kansas Supreme Court
RILEY COUNTY - The long-running legal dispute over the Prairiewood development will continue, as Riley County Counselor Jacob Hansen announced at the August 4th meeting that Prairiewood has filed a petition for review with the Kansas Supreme Court. The county, which had prevailed on the most significant issues at the Court of Appeals, now has 30 days to file a response. Hansen informed commissioners that the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the case is discretionary, as it does not meet the requirements for a mandatory review. Hansen also plans to file a conditional cross-petition, which would ask the high court to consider an issue the county lost on at the lower court, should it decide to take up the case.
County Reduces Opioid Program Funding, Citing Fiscal Concerns
RILEY COUNTY - The Riley County Commission voted to fund the Health Department and Community Corrections opioid-related programs at 75% of their requested amounts for the 2026 budget year, a reduction from the 100% funding they received previously. During the July 31st meeting, Budget and Finance Officer Brittany Phillips presented scenarios showing that continuing to fully fund the requests would deplete the county’s opioid settlement fund, which currently holds about $238,000, and could lead to a negative balance as early as 2027. The settlement funds, which the county is estimated to receive through 2038, are not guaranteed and could fluctuate. The decision reflects the commission’s concern over the long-term financial sustainability of the programs and the potential need to use property tax revenue to cover future shortfalls.
Jacob Hansen Appointed New Riley County Counselor
RILEY COUNTY - Following an executive session for non-elected personnel matters, the Riley County Commission unanimously voted to appoint Jacob Hansen as the new County Counselor, effective August 2nd. Hansen had been serving as the interim county counselor. The appointment fills a key leadership position responsible for providing legal advice and representation to the county commission and other county departments. The commission will now begin the process of hiring a deputy county counselor to assist Hansen.
City Advances Downtown Revitalization with Hampton Inn Project
MANHATTAN - Progress on a new downtown Hampton Inn hotel continued as the Manhattan City Commission voted unanimously to vacate a public utility easement in an alleyway near 12th Street. The small 3-by-20-foot easement was originally created to house telecommunications equipment for the former Midtown building on the site. With the new hotel design and a new parking garage, the utilities will be relocated to 12th Street, and the vacation of the easement will allow the developer to use the space for additional parking. City staff confirmed that no utilities are currently in the space and all utility providers were supportive of the request.
Manhattan Considers Annexation for Growth Near Airport
MANHATTAN - The Manhattan City Commission has initiated the process to annex an approximately 3.21-acre tract of land at 4790 Skyway Drive, located east of the Manhattan Regional Airport. Because the annexation is for an “island” of county land surrounded by the city, the request must first go to the Riley County Commission for review and approval before returning to the city for a final annexation ordinance. The property owner intends to rezone the property to “Industrial Commercial Services” (ICS), which is consistent with the surrounding commercial and industrial uses in the area.
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