Manhattan’s City Commission gathered Tuesday night for a work session, with K-State President Kirk Schulz leading things off. Schulz was present to discuss K-State 2025, which aims to make K-State a top 50 ranked research university by the year 2025. Plans include improvements to existing buildings, new construction, and a host of other items.
African American history in Manhattan was the next topic, with a presentation by Deon Wolfenbarger of Three Gables Preservation, located in Nederland, Colorado. The presentation concerned two Manhattan buildings that have been submitted for the National Register of Historic Places, the Bethel AME Church at 401 Yuma Street and the Pilgrim Baptist Church located at 831 Yuma Street. Mayor Jim Sherow was appreciative of the information, and pleased that this part of Manhattan’s history was brought to light.
The work session also was the site for a joint meeting between the Commission and the Manhattan Public Library Board of Trustees. The discussion centered on the organizational relationship between the two, and particular focus fell on the Library’s budget, which is managed by its board of trustees per state law. Some Commissioners brought forth the idea of altering things by bringing the Library under City control, however the Library Board disagreed, as well as elements of the Commission. No further action is expected to that aim.
