The Manhattan City Commission conducted a special legislative session Tuesday to decide whether or not to bid on a 99-acre chunk of land.
The land is owned by KDOT and is located adjacent to the K-18 Highway Project. KDOT has decided to put the land up for auction on October 6th with a starting bid of $110,000.
The Commission discussed the potential uses for the land, which include additional space for Parks and Rec or a site for a secondary waste water treatment plant. However, the purchase would require a significant investment by the city to fill the land to meet flood plain requirements. Accessibility is another major challenge with no access from K-18.
Ultimately, the Commission decided the trouble and cost associated with purchasing the land wouldn’t be worth it. The item was rejected on a vote of 5-0.
Also Tuesday, the Commission gave direction to City Staff on the Urban Core Residential District (UCR), which has been two years in the making. The District is a five-block area along North Manhattan Avenue, from Ratone and Vattier Streets and over to 12th Street.
