The City of Manhattan may enter into a development agreement with the McDonald’s on 3rd St. The project involves the construction of a new retail space near the intersection of 4th and Bluemont. The City would foot the bill for the estimated $200,000-$230,000 in infrastructure improvements, while McDonald’s would pay for the new building.
McDonald’s will file a petition for a Transportation Development District that will include both the new and old retail space. A half-cent sales tax will be added in the district in order for the City to recoup its investment.
Additionally, McDonald’s is proposing to dedicate 23,000 dollars towards the sculpture that will be placed in the middle of the roundabout at 4th and Bluemont. City Commissioners unanimously approved the development agreement during their weekly meeting, Tuesday evening.
The Manhattan City Commission also approved a motion to adopt the 2012 International Codes for construction and maintenance in addition to the 2011 National Electrical Code. A portion of the new code will include proof of liability insurance as part of a commercial contractor’s license requirements. Mayor, John Matta, voted against the motion, citing concerns about the cost of implementation and new materials.
Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to update the City’s water conservation ordinance to comply with guidelines established by the Kansas Water Office. The City will also take a further look at creating a fine schedule to deter water usage violations.
The General Agenda included a motion to nominate the Bluemont Youth Cabin to the National Register of Historic Places. The cabin was constructed in 1938 as a part of the National Youth Administration. The Goodnow Park Cabin Coalition signed a 20-year lease for the building in order to stabilize and restore it, which expired in 2011.
Commissioner, Wynn Butler expressed concern that the Cabin may be a liability for the City due to rennovation costs, and said the City should consider a way to lease the building to someone who would make good use of it . Commissioners, Karen Mcculloh and Usha Reddi, said nominating the building to the National Registry wouldn’t be cost prohibitive, and decisions about what to do with the Cabin could be made at a later time.
The Commission ultimately voted 3-2 to table the motion until a thorough cost/benefit analysis can be taken.
The last item on the General Agenda included a discussion of implementing a higher standard floodplain regulation. Commissioners agreed that while flooding is not of immediate concern, measures should be taken in order to prevent future flooding issues.
