city of Manhattan
January - March 2026
City Commission Retreat
On February 2–3, 2026, Commissioners and City staff came together for a two-day retreat focused on the City’s priorities and key policy issues for the year ahead.
Conversation centered on several major topics that will help shape Manhattan’s work in 2026, including long-term financial sustainability and the 2027 budget outlook, street maintenance and broader infrastructure investment, and
Setting goals for the year
housing and economic development strategies designed to support community outcomes and strengthen return on investment.
Commissioners also discussed upcoming sales tax renewal decisions, including funding considerations related to street maintenance and parks and recreation quality-of-life initiatives. While no formal action was taken, the retreat helped establish areas of
broad agreement that will continue to guide future discussion and more detailed policy consideration throughout the year.
Together, these focus areas reflect the Commission’s current direction and provide a practical framework for continued conversation, evaluation, and decision-making in the months ahead.
stormwater management
City launches new alternative offsite stormwater program
The City has launched a new Alternative Offsite Stormwater Treatment Program to help developers meet stormwater quality requirements while supporting water quality improvements across the region.
supporting practices such as cover crops, no-till farming, terrace rehabilitation, and filter strips along cropland near rivers.
Participating farmers would enter into voluntary incentivebased contracts similar to existing state and federal conservation programs.
water quality
The new Alternative Offsite Stormwater Treatment Program gives developers a new option for meeting post-construction stormwater obligations by contributing to approved offsite conservation practices, rather than relying only on traditional onsite treatment measures. The City will be partnering with Kansas State University’s KCARE program for outreach with ag producers (www. kcare.k-state.edu).
Most new development projects must still address stormwater runoff through Best Management Practices, or BMPs, such as ponds, wetlands, grassy swales, detention basins, or mechanical treatment devices. Under the new program, eligible projects may instead invest on a long-term basis in conservation practices on nearby farmland that can provide strong pollutant reductions at a lower overall cost. This offsite program does not relieve developments of their duties for floodcontrol detention, but it does give an extra option on pollutant control only.
Program funding and pollutant reduction benefits will remain local, with an initial focus on watersheds in Riley and Pottawatomie counties and possible future expansion into Marshall, Washington, and Clay counties.
Developers interested in participating may apply online at: www.cityofmhk.com
Bill Heatherman
City Stormwater Engineer Bill Heatherman’s work extends beyond infrastructure into one of Kansas’s most important issues: water.
As current chairperson of the Kansas Regional Advisory Committee, he helps represent communities from Manhattan to the Kansas City metro area and connects local concerns to broader state water policy discussions. Through the advisory process, the committee helps review priorities, share information with local stakeholders, and support planning efforts designed to protect water resources for future generations.
His leadership is especially important as Kansas addresses long-term challenges related to water supply, water quality, and reservoir management.
Kansas Water Office www.kwo.ks.gov
Community partnerships
warming shelter
Working
to build connections and solutions.
This winter, the City of Manhattan partnered with the Center of Hope Ministries to make space available for a warming shelter at the Douglass Center Annex during periods of severe cold.
Operated by the Center of Hope Ministries with the help of trained facilitators and volunteers, the shelter provided a safe, warm place for people who otherwise may not have had one on the coldest nights. While temporary in nature, the effort helped meet an immediate need with care and respect for some of the community’s most vulnerable neighbors.
The partnership between the City and the Center of Hope Ministries reflects a practical response to urgent circumstances, while underscoring the continued need for compassion, coordination, and longer-term solutions.
Sunflower Flats
The Sunflower Flats project broke ground on March 2, 2026.
The new 62-unit senior housing development is designed to provide affordable, accessible housing for older adults, with an emphasis on dignity, community space, and proximity to downtown services and amenities.
One, two, and threebedroom units will be available and each will be ADA compliant.
The project is supported by federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and represents partnerships between several local entities including the Manhattan Housing Authority and Housing MHK. The City of Manhattan approved the final development agreement in December 2025 and provided land for the project. It is scheduled to be completed in late 2027.
BUSINESS TRAINING PROGRAMS
CULINARY INCUBATOR & Commercial kitchen
yuma street cultural center
The City of Manhattan joined Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills (BEFH) and community leaders in celebrating the groundbreaking of the future Yuma Street Cultural Center & Entrepreneur Hub at 930 Yuma Street.
The transformational project will preserve and honor the rich history of Manhattan’s historic Black business and cultural district while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship, youth development, cultural arts, innovation, and community
The Cultural Center will include an incubator kitchen, restaurant space, co-working and media spaces, historical exhibits, and programming designed to support future generations. More than 200 community members attended the March groundbreaking ceremony, highlighting the strong community support and momentum behind the project.
Photos by Rachel Shivers
MARKETS & OUTDOOR ENGAGEMENTS
City Staff
Through a well-trained, highly motivated staff, we move the community forward.
Leyva
Vivienne Leyva returned to the city in March. In her new role, she leads communications and marketing strategy and serves as the City’s primary media contact and spokesperson.
Leyva also plays a key role in crisis communication planning and response. Her background includes communications leadership during COVID-19 response efforts, flash flooding, and tornado recovery communications in the region.
Kaleigh Reyes
Dr. Reyes began work as Director of Sunset Zoo in March, continuing her lifelong commitment to animal welfare. Her goals include plans to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new opportunities for collaboration with Kansas State University as well as the local community.
Dr. Reyes moved to Manhattan from Maine where she was a Professor of Animal Behavior at Husson University. Dr. Reyes also previously served as a Gorilla Scientist at Basel Zoo in Switzerland.
service award recipients
In addition to the 15 employees honored for tenure of 20 & 25 years with the City of Manhattan, 2 employees received special recognition in 2026.
Tom Korte - 30 years with Public Utilities Joe Sapp - 40 years with Parks and Recreation
thank you for your comitment to the community
2026 City Summit
A total of 318 employees participated in the annual city summit on January 21 at the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center. With guest speakers including Coach Donnie Campbell and Carissa Sadique, the training focused on teamwork, professionalism, and communication.
“The summit presents a unique opportunity to gather, learn, and grow stronger as a team,” said City Manager Danielle Dulin.
Employees reported a strong interest in the keynote session with Coach Campbell, with one employee saying “This was the highlight of the day. We need more inspirational, coaching focused leaders in the future” in the follow up survey.
Later sessions focused on department updates from Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works. Department Directors highlighted completed projects, explained the intricacies of their work, and shared an outlook for the year ahead.
The half-day summit ended with service awards and employee recognition to honor and celebrate the people whose hard work and dedication help make Manhattan a dynamic place of progress and opportunity for all.
Vivienne
Dr.
Sunset Zoo Director
Communications and Marketing Manager/Pio
City STats
A look at the numbers for the first quarter of 2026.
manhattan regional airport enplanements
People boarding aircraft at MHK
Q1 2026 Q1 2025 38,787 38,523
Strong regional travel demand
public works and street maintenance
Winter repairs and projects
Potholes filled
Heavy seasonal demand
Street Signs Created
development
New construction in the first quarter
Valuation Permits $21.64M 69
Positive economic growth and construction activity
manhattan fire department
Firefighter training hours Q1 Target 73.90 hours 54 hours
Training performance exceeded target
COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH
Sharing information with the public
Newsletter Subscribers Q1 2026 Q4 2025 3,639 3,361
Social Media Performance
Total number of followers across 19 social media accounts Q1 2026 Q1 2025
followers followers
Audiences continued to grow
STEEL AND PIPE supply BALLPARK GRAND
OPENING celebration march 28
Thank you to the estimated 500 community members who joined us to celebrate Steel & Pipe Supply Ballpark Opening Day on March 28 at CiCo Park! This special day marked the beginning of a new complex that will serve generations of ballplayers to come.
In addition to Manhattan Parks & Recreation Department programs, youth leagues and tournaments, Manhattan High School Baseball and Softball will now call this facility home.
The complex includes several exciting new amenities, including the Tindall Family View Deck, Umscheid Concessions Room, and Launch Pad Warm-Up Area. While this facility represents a new chapter, the spirit of the original complex remains. Materials from the former site were repurposed into the base of the south-end stormwater drainage area, helping carry its legacy forward.
While the fields are available by reservation only, the public can still use the Launch Pad for batting and pitching practice when games are not in progress.
A special thank you to the City of Manhattan City Commission, Manhattan Parks & Recreation Foundation, Steel & Pipe Supply, Baker McMillan Architects, BHS Construction Team, and City staff whose vision, partnership, and hard work made this project a reality.
