City weighs $7 million to $10 million renovation for Moro Street

North-side parking preferred for snow removal and safety

Business association warns of parking loss in redesign plans

Aggieville merchants brace for construction disruption

Commission scrutinizes workforce housing application for Aggieville

Commission advances 1001 Moro project despite policy concerns

Commissioners call for overhaul of housing incentive policy

Mayor confirms closing on Sunflower Flats project

Residential property values increase 3 to 10 percent

Sales tax revenue shows slight decline

Clerk warns of significant rise in police department expenses

Wilborn Sales bid discrepancy adds cost to Airport Road bridge project

Culvert replacement to close North 52nd Street

City weighs $7 million to $10 million renovation for Moro Street

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Manhattan City Commissioners reviewed four conceptual designs Tuesday for the reconstruction of Moro Street between 11th Street and North Manhattan Avenue, a project estimated to cost between $7 million and $10 million. Cody Perrott of Olsson, the engineering firm leading the design, presented options ranging from maximizing parking to creating pedestrian-heavy amenity zones with mid-block crossings, though no final design was selected. Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers emphasized that the street has not seen major investment since the 1980s and the new infrastructure is intended to last for the next 50 years.

North-side parking preferred for snow removal and safety

MANHATTAN, Kan. — During the review of streetscape concepts, commissioners and city staff expressed a preference for placing angled parking on the north side of Moro Street rather than the south because the north side receives more sunlight, which aids in melting ice and snow. Staff indicated this layout would improve safety for visitors during winter months. The commission directed designers to pursue concepts that align with this layout while maintaining consistency with recent improvements on 12th Street.

Business association warns of parking loss in redesign plans

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Dennis Cook, executive director of the Aggieville Business Association, cautioned the commission about the potential reduction of parking spaces in the proposed Moro Street reconfiguration, noting that the district currently has 74 spaces on the affected blocks. Cook warned that some proposed concepts could reduce that number to as few as 40 to accommodate pedestrian amenities and urged the commission to balance the desire for wider sidewalks and gathering spaces with the need for customer parking.

Aggieville merchants brace for construction disruption

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Local business owners expressed concern regarding the timeline for the Moro Street project, which is expected to take six to seven months per block or longer due to complex water line replacements. Travis Wuerl, part-owner of Taco Lucha and So Long Saloon, reminded the commission of the financial strain businesses faced during previous construction on 12th Street, prompting Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers to recommend using a construction manager at risk contract to ensure professional oversight and communication to minimize the impact on store access.

Commission scrutinizes workforce housing application for Aggieville

MANHATTAN, Kan. — A proposal to use workforce housing sales tax incentives for a redevelopment at 1001 Moro St. faced criticism from commissioners who argued the project resembled student housing rather than housing for the local workforce. The developer presented a revised plan changing the building from three four-bedroom units to six two-bedroom units, but Mayor Susan Adamchak and other commissioners expressed concern that the layout and location target university students, which conflicts with the intent of the incentive program.

Commission advances 1001 Moro project despite policy concerns

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Despite reservations that the 1001 Moro St. project does not align with the commission's vision for workforce housing, the body reached a consensus to direct city staff to draft an economic development agreement for the property. One commissioner noted that while he disliked the proposal, it met the technical requirements of the current policy, and changing the rules on an active applicant would be "disingenuous." The commission agreed to process this application under existing rules while planning a future overhaul of the incentive policy.

Commissioners call for overhaul of housing incentive policy

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Following the debate over the Moro Street application, commissioners agreed on the need to redefine "workforce housing" to prioritize equity building and homeownership over rental units. One commissioner argued that the current policy is subsidizing high-rent apartments rather than helping teachers and nurses enter the housing market, and staff was directed to schedule a future work session to discuss shifting the program's focus toward "missing middle" ownership opportunities and potentially lowering the area median income requirements.

Mayor confirms closing on Sunflower Flats project

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Mayor Susan Adamchak announced that the closing for the Sunflower Flats senior housing project was finalized earlier in the day, allowing the development to move forward following previous discussions regarding incentives and development agreements. The closing marks a step in the city's broader efforts to increase housing inventory.

Residential property values increase 3 to 10 percent

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County residential property values have increased by an average of 3 percent to 10 percent for the 2026 tax year, according to a report presented by County Appraiser Anna Burson. The median home price in the county has risen to $270,000, up from $250,000 in 2025. Burson noted that valuation notices will be mailed on Feb. 25 and emphasized that an increase in property value does not automatically equate to a higher tax bill, as tax rates are set by local governing bodies later in the year.

Sales tax revenue shows slight decline

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County Treasurer Shiloh Hager presented data indicating that county sales tax revenue for January decreased by 1.33 percent compared to the same period last year. The report showed the county retained approximately $194,000 from the half-cent sales tax and $233,000 from the road and bridge tax, reflecting a slight cooling in year-over-year collections despite retail trade remaining the largest contributor to the tax base.

Clerk warns of significant rise in police department expenses

MANHATTAN, Kan. — County Clerk Rich Vargo advised the Board of County Commissioners that expenses for the Riley County Police Department, particularly regarding inmate medical care and physician fees, are rising significantly. Vargo projected that while the general county budget remains stable early in the fiscal year, the county will likely need to pass a budget amendment to cover the surging police costs which are statutorily required.

Wilborn Sales bid discrepancy adds cost to Airport Road bridge project

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Public Works Director John Ellermann informed commissioners that a bid discrepancy involving Wilborn Sales will require an additional $34,000 expenditure for the Airport Road bridge project. Ellermann reported that the vendor's bid documents did not include the cost of piling, but the county intends to proceed with Wilborn Sales to ensure necessary steel and materials are acquired to begin the project around March 1.

Culvert replacement to close North 52nd Street

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Public Works Director John Ellermann announced that North 52nd Street will be closed to through traffic beginning Wednesday, Feb. 11, for a culvert replacement project located approximately half a mile west of West 59th Avenue. Crews expect to complete the replacement in a single day, weather permitting.

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