Manhattan City Commissioners heard an update Tuesday regarding the Beyond Tomorrow Downtown Plan, the first update on the plan since early May.
The draft plan takes a broad look at the master plan for development of the downtown business district. Senior Planner for Community Development Ben Chmiel says a number of surveys were conducted among business and community members, with about 1,800 responses turned in, including 52 from participating business leaders.
He says the most discussed issue in the survey was Area F of the 3rd street corridor, between Pierre and Humboldt Streets.
Chmiel also says the community also expressed concerns with the amount of unused parking east of Manhattan Town Center.
Commissioner Wynn Butler questioned some of how the plan addresses the area south of the conference center, where Midwest Concrete Materials is currently located.
Chmiel says the area has been seen as an opportunity area for potential future development.
The plan is being put into motion in partnership with Downtown Manhattan, Inc.
In other business Tuesday, commissioners held a brief discussion about weed problems on Anderson Avenue.
Recently, the city had received an email from Kansas 67th district State Representative and former city commissioner Mike Dodson to see if anything could be done.
Commissioner Butler says it’s not the city’s responsibility and that he does not favor of the city spending additional money to address it.
City officials will meet again next Tuesday and will look to finalize the 2024 budget after commissioners directed staff to lower the overall mill levy down to 49.000. That meeting will take place at 6 p.m. in City Hall. The next work session is scheduled for Sept. 26.
AJ Shaw and Brandon Peoples contributed to this story
