06/16/26 City Commission Meeting

The City Commission meeting of Manhattan, Kansas, held on June 16, 2026, focused significantly on economic development and infrastructure projects. Key procurement-related discussions included the approval of ordinances establishing a STAR bond district and a tax increment finance (TIF) district for the Champions Gate development, aimed at fostering job creation, student learning opportunities, and business growth. The commission voted unanimously to approve both ordinances, enabling further detailed feasibility studies and project planning. Additionally, the commission approved a phase two design-build agreement with McCownGordon Construction and a funding agreement with the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation for an outdoor classroom renovation project, fully funded by private donations. Another major procurement action was the acceptance of the selection committee's recommendation to negotiate a contract with Alfred Benesch Corporation for the Campus Creek Watershed Study, a project budgeted in the city's CIP and funded through the stormwater fund. The meeting included public comments expressing concerns about the development plans and tax implications, and emphasized the need for detailed financial information and community benefits. Overall, the meeting advanced several capital improvement projects and set the stage for future contracting and budget decisions related to economic development and infrastructure enhancements in Manhattan.