The findings from the 2017 Community Survey administered to Manhattan residents this spring suggests the community is ready to vote “yes” on a quarter-cent quality-of-life sales tax issue on the November ballot.
On Tuesday evening, Manhattan City Commissioners heard the findings of the survey which was administered to 2,500 homes this spring. Dr. Josephine Gatti Schafer, an assistant professor of political science at Kansas State University, began writing the survey in December of last year with city staff. The survey was sent out through mail in March and made available online. It elicited 604 responses for a 24% response rate, Schafer said.
An overwhelming majority of the 604 respondents are in favor of the proposed parks and recreation improvements to be built with sales tax dollars over the next ten years.
Seventy-seven percent of respondents “support” or “strongly support” the facilities and ballot issue. Schafer said the survey question performed best among people who have lived in the community for more than two years, and have young children.
Residents responded favorably toward the small town feel, access to amenities, and Riley County Police Department.
Commissioners approved the first reading of an ordinance that will rezone a piece of land on the north side of Bluemont Avenue at the intersection of 12th street. The lot will be rezoned to a planned unit development, and make way for a 37-unit apartment building. The building will be four stories high, and feature a parking lot that sits beneath the building.
The commission also approved a request an agreement with Blueville Nursery, who has requested to maintain the new roundabout in northwest Manhattan. The city will provide the nursery with $30,000 of materials, and the nursery will design, install, and maintain the roundabout for the entirety of its lifespan.
