Aggieville may look completely different in 10 years as the Manhattan City Commission adopted a new plan Tuesday night for the popular bar and shopping district.
The plan organizes Aggieville in three distinct areas that allow larger building projects on Bluemont Avenue and Laramie Street, while preserving the historic integrity of buildings along Moro Street and North Manhattan Avenue. The city will hire a consultant to conduct a parking analysis of the plan. City staff hope policy recommendations will come out of that study.
The commission also approved a new policy resolution to address the deteriorating gravel alleys in the residential area east of the K-State campus. Director of Public Works, Rob Ott, said the resolution allows the public to petition for a voluntary benefit district, which would pay for the improvements. However, the resolution also allows the city to execute an involuntary benefit district by public hearing, should property owners fail to reach a consensus on a petition. The resolution was approved, but Mayor Usha Reddi voted against it. She believes the cost associated with alley improvements would negatively impact homeowners and renters living in the area.
The meeting wrapped up after the commission entered into a new 10-year agreement with Pottawatomie County. The agreement allows the Blue Township Sewer Benefit District to continue sending waste water to Manhattan for treatment.
