Monday in Manhattan

Affordable housing continues to be major issue in Manhattan and the city is launching a Housing Market Analysis and Policy Strategy Study to get a clear picture of the situation. After the data is collected, the City plans to form a Housing Advisory Board comprised of experts and residents, develop strategies, and take action. Matching the best housing solutions to the real needs of people who live here, as well as people who want to live here, will help build a sustainable community that offers a great quality of life for residents. Learn more about the situation and the process in this week's podcast. 

Jared Wasinger and Stacia Mendoza share insights from the first round of public engagement meetings for the City of Manhattan's strategic planning process and cover some of the information from the environmental scan. Learn about where the city is, and where we're going. Check out all the information from the scan at https://engagemhk.org/crossroads

In this episode, Parks and Recreation Director Eddie Eastes and Director of Recreation Randi Clifford talk about programs starting up again this spring and summer after the long pandemic hiatus. They also give us an update about the three new indoor recreation centers opening this year. 

CrossroadsMHK is an ambitious effort to develop a City-wide strategic plan to guide decision making and investment throughout the community. This is a unique moment for the City. The City has never created a strategic plan focused solely on responsibilities and initiatives of our City government. This plan will help prioritize City services, programs, projects and future investments as we continue striving to be a great place to live for all Manhattan residents. City staff and the City Commission are asking the community to get involved and contribute their ideas and thoughts about how they want their City to run today and what kind of city it will be in the future.

Assistant to the City Manager, Jared Wasinger

Public Information Officer Vivienne Uccello

The Monday in Manhattan podcast is back for 2021! In this episode, we review City revenue for 2020 with City Manager Ron Fehr and Deputy City Manager Jason Hilgers, and talk about the budgeting process for the upcoming year. 

To celebrate Black History Month, the City’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee sponsored a brown bag “Lunch and Learn” with Coach Dave Baker, Director of the Douglass Center. Coach Baker talked with employees about the past, present, and future of Manhattan and the Douglass Center, and also spoke about the importance of remembering history and of building a sense of community. The "Lunch and Learn" was held on Thursday, February 27, at the Flint Hills Discovery Center.

If you are not familiar with the Douglass Center, construction began in the 1940s on what was then the U.S.O. for African-American soldiers, a building that provided education and recreation for the soldiers as well as Manhattan’s black community. After World War II, this building was donated to the City of Manhattan and became the foundation of the Douglass Center. Over the years, it has provided a safe place for kids, adults, and seniors to go for recreation and social activity. The Center continues to be an example of what is meant by the word community, thanks in large part to our colleagues working at the Center.

The new building, which will become the Douglass Recreation Center, will break ground on March 4 and is expected to be open to the public by the end of 2020.

City Engineer Brian Johnson and Assistant City Manager Jason Hilgers take us through the major public projects for Manhattan, Kansas in 2020, and there are quite a few. Be prepared, big projects on Kimball and Fort Riley Boulevard will cause traffic delays, but the results will be improved roadways, stormwater, and utility infrastructure. Find links to maps and construction details in the Active Projects section of cityofmhk.com. 

Jared Tremblay and John Adam discuss the future of transportation for MHK - focusing on infrastructure for bicycles and pedestrians.

Should Manhattan sprawl outward or grow taller to accommodate new residents? Do we have the right type of housing for the people who want to live here or do we need new ideas? City administrator Jared Wasinger and Community Development Assistant Director Chad Bunger explore ideas for an upcoming Housing Market Analysis and Policy Strategy Study to help plan for the future of MHK.

City Manager Ron Fehr spoke at the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce Power Lunch on February 11, 2020. He discussed challenges the City faced in 2019, including severe winter weather and the threat of flooding, successes earned, and plans for the year ahead.