A BALDWIN CITY NEWSPAPER
BULLPEN’S FUTURE UNCERTAIN IN CITY-OWNED BUILDING
Story by Jessi Gerber
BALDWIN CITY — The future of the prominent downtown commercial property remains unknown following the announcement that local establishment, The Bullpen, will vacate the cityowned building by December 31. While negotiations on a new five-year lease have officially concluded, city officials indicate that a final decision on whether to sell or re-lease the building will wait until the council navigates its upcoming 2027 budget cycle.
At the heart of the impasse is a fundamental shift in how Baldwin City approaches its role as a commercial landlord.
The Push for Standardization and Stewardship
The city’s recent efforts to overhaul its commercial leases stemmed from a desire to act as a responsible steward of public assets.
Over the last several months, the council obtained commercial lease appraisals for its properties, aiming to transition tenants closer to a fair market
value—which was appraised at $1,250 per month for the property occupied by The Bullpen. The proposed agreement was structured as a modified triple-net lease, which required tenants to take on smaller maintenance costs under $500, while the city covered major structural and system failures over that amount.
“We wanted a lease structure that more closely aligned with current commercial leases and provided a more predictable expense for the city,” council noted, adding that the goal was to avoid creating an unfair competitive advantage for subsidized tenant businesses. From the city’s perspective, the proposed fiveyear lease offered a gradual runway to market rates with no financial penalty to the tenant if they chose to vacate early.
The Value of Local Investment and Community Impact
For Niki Manbeck, owner of The Bullpen, the new framework felt unworkable when weighed against the investments and community equity the business has already contributed. Manbeck sought to maintain the previous
lease structure—which left maintenance costs and property taxes with the city— while offering a 5% annual rate increase.
Supporters of The Bullpen point out that operating a local establishment goes far beyond the baseline rent. Manbeck has funded major property upgrades out of pocket, including installing a new ADAcompliant bathroom. Also, The Bullpen functions as a localized economic asset, purchasing inventory from the Baldwin City Market, apparel from Baldwin City Made, and utilizing local financial and professional services.
The business’s community footprint—ranging from sponsoring the Baldwin City Blues and youth golf to backing safe after-prom events—drew a crowd of roughly 50 residents to a recent city hall meeting to advocate on the establishment’s behalf.
Broader Questions Over CityOwned Properties
The dispute has opened a wider public conversation regarding the city’s longterm policy on commercial real estate. Some council members have voiced an ongoing desire to exit the landlord business entirely, citing the strain on city labor, time, and taxpayer dollars required to manage properties. Questions have also been raised by community members regarding perceived inconsistencies in how city-owned properties are treated, noting that the former public works building leased to the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) operates under a different set of standards and tax exemptions. City documentation notes that distinct property types, such
as establishments with amusement or gambling machines, trigger separate county appraisal variables.
The Legal Framework for a Sale
Should the city council ultimately decide to part with the building, any potential transaction is governed by strict local guidelines. While earlier public discussions touched on varying interpretations of the sale process, City Ordinance No. 1431 dictates that any city-owned property slated for sale must first be publicly advertised for a period of 14 days on the city’s website and social media channels.
Only after this public notice period can the city list the property with local real estate agencies. Crucially, the ordinance mandates that any final sale or lease contract remains fully contingent on city council approval, ensuring that any future transition of ownership must happen through official, transparent municipal channels. While Manbeck has previously expressed a strong interest in owning the building outright, no formal purchase proposals have been brought before the council for discussion.
What Comes Next?
With no plans currently finalized for the building’s next chapter, the property faces potential vacancy after December 31 while the city focuses on its immediate budget priorities.
For the residents and patrons who rallied behind the local business, the focus remains on how the city can best cooperate with the small businesses that form the social fabric of the downtown district.
THIRD
FRIDAY MARKET
RETURNS JULY 17 WITH FAMILY FUN, LIVE MUSIC AND OUTDOOR MOVIE
Downtown Baldwin City will once again come alive with shopping, music and summertime fun as the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce hosts the July Third Friday Market on Friday, July 17.
Sponsored by Baldwin State Bank and Standard Grooming Supply, the monthly market has become a favorite summer tradition, offering a quintessential small-town America experience where neighbors gather to shop local, enjoy live entertainment and spend an evening together in the heart of downtown. From unique vendors and locally owned businesses to free family activities and live music, the event continues to showcase the welcoming spirit that makes Baldwin City special.
The festivities begin at 6 p.m. as vendors set up throughout downtown alongside participating storefronts, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to browse handcrafted goods, local products and specialty items while supporting small businesses. A complete list of vendors will be released closer to the market date.
Food trucks AI Tasty Delights and Taco Via will be on hand serving dinner throughout the evening, making it easy for families to grab a bite while enjoying all the activities.
Families can also enjoy a variety of free activities, including the popular Mural Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by the Lumberyard Arts Center. Participants can explore downtown while discovering Baldwin City’s growing collection of murals and public art, making it a fun adventure for children and adults alike.
One of the evening’s signature
attractions returns at 6:15 p.m. with the Watermelon Eating Contest and Seed Spitting Contest in Sullivan Square. Sponsored by Baldwin City Dental, the contests are free to enter, and participants can simply check in with the judges before the event begins.
Contestants may compete in one or both competitions, with winners recognized in three age divisions: 0-6 years, 7-12 years, and 13 years and older. Prize baskets will be awarded in each age category for both contests, and once the competitions wrap up, everyone is invited to enjoy free watermelon slices while supplies last.
The evening continues with live music from the Pastense Bluegrass Band, performing from 7:15 to 8:45 p.m. on the Sullivan Square stage. Their bluegrass sound will provide the perfect backdrop as visitors continue shopping, dining and visiting with friends and neighbors.
To cap off the evening, families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and settle in for a free outdoor showing of the animated film GOAT beginning at 9 p.m. in Sullivan Square.
Whether you’re looking to shop from local vendors, explore downtown businesses, enjoy live music, compete in a friendly watermelon contest or simply spend a relaxing summer evening with family and friends, the July Third Friday Market offers something for everyone. The Chamber invites residents and visitors alike to experience another memorable night celebrating community in downtown Baldwin City.
REACH BALDWIN CITY.
July 17
July Third Friday Market
Downtown Baldwin City, 6-9 pm
July 17
Movie Night: GOAT
Sullivan Square, 9 pm
July 17
Live Music: Mike Finch
Baldwin City Distillery, 6-8 pm
July 17
Ice Cream Social Ives Chapel, 6:30 pm
July 18
Christmas in July Open House with Lawrence Model Railroad Club
Santa Fe Train Depot, 9am - 5pm
July 19
Sundays at Six Summer Concert Series: Nick Nave
Sullivan Square, 6 pm
July 21
Free Summer Art and Creative Play
Lumberyard Arts Center, 10am-12pm
Come and go between the LAC and BCCA! Free. Ideal for ages 3-10, but all welcome.
July 25
Cut Flower Arranging Workshop
Vinland Valley Nursery, 10 am
July 25
Live Music: Zac and Zoe
Baldwin City Distillery, 6-8 pm
COMMUNITY
COMMUNITY INVITED TO MEET LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS JULY 18
Residents will have the opportunity to meet with local and state officials in an informal setting during a Meet & Greet with Government Officials on Saturday, July 18, at the Baldwin City Community Center.
The free event will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and is designed to give community members a chance to connect with elected officials, ask questions and discuss issues important to Baldwin City in a relaxed, conversational atmosphere. Light refreshments will be provided.
Officials scheduled to attend include:
• Baldwin City Mayor Gerry Cullumber
• State Representative Courtney Sappington
• Douglas County Commissioner Erica Anderson
• Baldwin City Administrator Russ Harding
Unlike a formal council meeting or public hearing, the gathering is intended to encourage one-on-one conversations between residents and government leaders. Community members are welcome to stop by at any time during the event to introduce themselves, learn more about current projects and initiatives, or ask questions about city, county and state government.
The meet and greet will take place at the Baldwin City Community Center, 712 Chapel St.
Organizers hope the event will provide an opportunity for residents to become more engaged in their local government while fostering open communication between elected officials and the community they serve. Everyone is welcome to attend.
POWER BLINKS ON SOUTHEAST FEED
Baldwin City Electrical Department began replacing an older line of power poles along High Street this spring, moving lines from old poles to new ones. This project was undertaken to increase reliability on this line, moving powerlines higher and to more stable poles. This is a fairly complex process that involves setting new poles and then moving lines to the new poles with specialized supplies and equipment.
The new poles were set in 2025, and the specific parts they needed to finish the project did not arrive until late in the spring of 2026. The line crew has been in the process of moving wire over to the new poles for the last couple of months as time allows. They were hoping to be finished with the project by July of 2026, but supply chain delays and other necessary work has pushed the timeline for project completion back to fall of 2026.
FUNDAMENTALS OF ESTATE PLANNING
The Senior Resource Center is hosting a Fundamentals of Estate Planning presentation on from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 23 at the Senior Resource Center, 745 Vermont St. This session is led by recently retired Lawrence attorney, Robert Ramsdell, who can answer your questions on estate planning.
Learn how to avoid probate, distribute your estate properly,
provide guardians for minor children, ensure assets are safeguarded, and name those who will handle your finances and make medical decisions if you are alive but incapacitated.
This free event is open to the public but registration is required as seating is limited.
To register or for more information call 785-842-0543.
In the last couple of weeks, the crew has been aware of some blinks on the southeast feed specifically but were not able to pinpoint the problem. The southeast feed covers the largest square mile portion of town of any of the feeds, including the Heritage neighboorhood. You can see a Google Map of the feed areas here. Blinks are typically due to tree
limb interference, and on Thursday, July 2nd, the crew found and removed some branches that were brushing the lines, which fixed some of the blinks.
On Saturday, July 4th, the crew received a call regarding blinks on Ames Street and found that a cross-arm brace placed to support the wire transfer to the new line had broken, allowing the lines to bump up against a transformer with wind gusts. This caused a repeated power drop on the entire feed as well. Given the high wind events we’ve had the last couple of weeks, this is another cause of the electricity dropping repeatedly. This issue was repaired as soon as it was discovered on Saturday, and once the wires are tranferred permanently to the new power poles, reliability should be significantly increased to the entire feed.
The town’s second substation is projected to be online within the next 6 months as well, which would allow crews to re-route power temporarily in case of a situation like this in the future. The second substation will increase overall reliability in many circumstances, which is why City Council invested in the project in 2023. More information about the second substation project is available on the Electric Substation 2 project page.
Hometown Construction
• Locally Owned in Baldwin City
Detailed Reports with Photos
Lifetime Warranties
Free Estimates
FREE NEWS
BALDWIN CITY MADE EXPANDS WITH NEW BOUTIQUE PARTNERSHIP
A new partnership is bringing even more reasons to shop local in downtown Baldwin City.
Baldwin City Made, known for its custom apparel and hometown-themed merchandise, has announced an exciting collaboration with The Sticks, creating a one-stop destination for everything from school spirit wear to boutique fashion.
Visitors may have already noticed changes inside the downtown storefront as Baldwin City Made continues to grow its offerings. The business is expanding beyond custom printing to become a hub for Baldwin pride, featuring apparel and merchandise designed for residents, businesses, schools, clubs, organizations and community events.
The addition of The Sticks introduces a curated selection of boutique clothing and accessories, giving shoppers an even wider variety of locally available fashion and gifts.
Business owners say the partnership reflects a shared goal of supporting the community while making it easier for residents to shop local. Whether customers are looking for Bulldogs apparel, custom jerseys, branded business clothing, event shirts or a new boutique outfit, the expanded store aims to provide something for everyone under one roof.
The collaboration also opens the door for new community partnerships, locally inspired designs and behind-the-scenes looks at the creative process. Baldwin City Made plans to continue introducing fresh merchandise and working with local organizations to develop custom apparel that celebrates Baldwin City.
For more information or to browse products, visit www.baldwincitymade.com or follow Baldwin City Made on social media for updates on new arrivals, collaborations and upcoming projects.
SLOW AND STEADY
By Jeanine Ross
I like to think of myself as a very patient person. When I can see sparks of progress in a person or a situation, I can wait for that spark to become a flame. In fact, I get pleasure and satisfaction watching the process unfold. But I am not as patient when I am waiting for something to change inside me. When I discover a fix or a new way of doing an old thing, I want to see it manifested immediately. I want to see the results and rejoice in the progress now! I think many of us feel that way. I have patience, tolerance, and encouragement for everybody and everything but me. That made me think about that and look at it more closely.
I think, because we see ourselves from the inside out with all our flaws and shortcomings, we tend to think we are somehow different than others. We tend to think we can (if we put our minds to it) do whatever we want the first time we attempt to do a thing. How many times have you cursed yourself when something you knew you could do didn’t happen the way you wanted it to the first time around? Right! Me too! But I’ve learned some things along this journey we call life that I want to share with you, and I hope it helps you as much as it’s helped me.
In this world of immediate gratification, it is easy to get caught up in wanting and expecting what we want now! After all, there are so many things we have at our fingertips. With just a click of a button we can send a message to thousands of people or reach halfway around the world and visit with people we don’t even know. We can turn on our TVs and listen in on another culture that speaks a totally different language or follow a sporting event that just twenty years ago we would never have been able to experience! But that’s technology, not real life.
In real life, there are layers of intricate inner workings that need to be penetrated, rearranged, and adjusted to something new we’re working at teaching ourselves. While we may intellectually understand and agree to a new way of life, it can take a while for it to actually become a part of our daily lives. The key is consistency. It’s okay if your first attempt at something new isn’t an immediate success. It’s okay if you feel a bit frustrated. Just don’t give up. The key to success when you are changing an old pattern or habit is to stay with it. Slow and Steady is the best way to ensure an old habit disappears, and a new, more desirable one stays around. Slowly integrate the new habit into your everyday life and give yourself grace until it takes root. Encourage yourself when you do something right and remind yourself that greatness takes time. So take a deep breath, know that you can do it, whatever “it” is, and get ready to rejoice in your accomplishment. You’ve got this! I’m cheering for you! So, if you really want your life to change for the better, it begins by “Thinking Outside the Box.”
BC FASHION SHOW TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Tickets are now on sale for the BC Fashion Show 2026: We The People, presented by the Lumberyard Arts Center as part of the nationwide America 250 commemoration.
The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, with Shop the Bricks opening at 4:30 p.m. and the runway show beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Guests will enjoy an evening celebrating creativity, fashion and American style while browsing unique vendors before and after the show. Whether you’re attending for the one-of-akind designs, local talent or shopping experience, this annual event promises an unforgettable night in downtown Baldwin City. Tickets are available now through the Lumberyard Arts Center. Don’t wait—this popular event is expected to sell quickly.
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
SATURDAY, JULY 18 8 am -4 pm 115 E 1250 Road Baldwin City, KS 66006
• All eight cabins open — third sale of the 2026 season
• Held the third Saturday of each month through November
• A wide mix of collectible and everyday items
Cabin #1,#2: 20 golf clubs $5 each, large Coleman stove $9, new, still with tags women’s tops/ Capris from Jones NY. Leslie Fay, Alfred Donner, etc. $2-$3 each .Mens cargo shorts $1 each, jeans $2 each, baby stroller $5, one area that is 50% off, 2 flat electric grilles, new roaster oven, nice pots n pans, commercial grade steamer pans and large kettles, metal wall art, vintage camper like: decor, new shower curtains with matching hooks, comforter, sheets, wine bag, duffle bag, s/p shakers. Stuff I normally take to vintage camper shows every year: Igloo coolers, vintage tables from 20’s to the 50’s. End tables, dishes. Kitchenware, new electric tabletop stove, sleeping bag, Oriental dishes from NYC Chinatown, relish tray with dip bowl from Italy, NICE handmade centerpiece brought over from Africa, large wood salad bowl with 8 wood bowls, kids books, cookbooks, FREE Bibles, 17 beer steins, 13 dog outfits, Hummingbird collector plates in wood frames, lots of carousel music boxes, complete set of 50-60’s melmac dishes, 4 coffee plaques, decorative pillows, nice craft suitcase on wheels, moose decor, Boyds Bears, brass / black firewood holder, RV items, saddles, curtains, nice comforters, candle holders, chicken figurines, raccoon & Squirrel porcelain figurines, dishes, mugs, antique butter churn, clear flower vases, lots of picture frames, blow up mattresses and more items coming in by July 18. Cash only.
Cabin #3, #4 and #8: Antique Furniture, Soda Bottles, Crates, Coca Cola Bottle Shaped Sign 60”, Remington Bronze 24” Statures, Primitives,Bell Telephone Flange Sign, Bell Systems Kerosene lanterns, Dazey Churns, Railroad Kerosene Lanters, White Mountain Ice Cream Freezers, Glass Milk Jugs, Antique Tube Radios, Fenton Glass, Street Crossroads Signs, Village Green Red Wing Dinnerware, Cut Glass Punch Bowls, Cast Iron Stove Salesman Samples, Countertop Glass Display Case, Cast Iron Doorstops, Antique Pottery, Stoneware Pitchers,
• Just south of Lawrence
• Approximately 2 miles south of the Hwy 56 & Hwy 59 junction
• On the original two-lane Highway 59
Antique Crockware, Brass Spittoon, Crock Jars, Dishes with Windmills from Japan, 1800’s Vanity Fair “Spy” Lawyers Lithographs, Jayhawk Yearbooks, KU Jayhawk Memorabilia, Campbells soup collection, vintage trucker hats, postcards, baseball cards, vinyl records, ephemera, Lawrence Fritzel Dairy milk cans, Coca Cola glass gallon jugs, miscellaneous advertising signs, 45 records, pocket knives, vintage egg cup collection, brass pieces, wood pop bottle crates, Fishing Poles, Fishing Tackle, Fishing Reels. Most if not all of the items in these three cabins are vintage or antique
Cabins 5 & 6-Cast iron, tools, vintage ball canning jars, lots of DVDs, women’s Levi Strauss signature jeans—-$10 each. A lot of variety. Still a load of stuff to dig thru. Tons of new stuff!
Cabin #7: Old oak & iron school bench seat, ornate old floor lamp, cute infrared heater, vintage kids’ scooter, antique knee hole oak desk, small Early American walnut table w/drawer, wood water skis, wood Coca-Cola crates, big Coca-Cola button sign—rough & repainted, 5 gallon carboy, Kodascope projector, Coke “boat motor”soda fountain dispenser—no lid, very old small painted gateleg drop leaf table, MCM butterfly chair, pair folding lounger pool chairs, pair 1970s folding director chairs, new ice chest, old timey cars goblets, several antique kerosene lamps, vintage pool balls, Wexford water goblets, avocado Samsonite 1970s makeup case, Marx 1970s TV Tennis (Pong) game, new in package measuring tapes & hose nozzles, #10 meat grinder, black & clear Pyrex mix bowl set, Coleman lanterns, dozens of new & sealed DVDs—variety of genres, EarthWise people powered push mower, Tupperware, vintage bar ware, depression glass, Thermoses, cast alum Dutch ovens, vintage artwork game table, 1980s Raleigh Technium aluminum MTB. Lots more—mostly antique, MCM & vintage. Many markdowns.
The City of Lawrence’s annual electronics recycling event is coming up. Douglas County residents recycled 70,085 pounds — more than 35 tons — of old tech in 2025.
Folks can recycle their old devices from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, 2120 Harper St. The event is free, with fees for some TVs and monitors, and is open to all county residents.
“The Electronics Recycling Event has become an important opportunity for residents to keep old technology out of the landfill,” according to a city news release.
People can bring any items that use electricity or have a cord, such as computers, printers, microwaves, light fixtures, stereos, phones, gaming systems, battery backup systems and more.
Teknix Solutions will collect materials and “ensure that all items are processed securely, protecting both your data and the environment,” per the city’s website.
It costs $40 to recycle CRT TVs, CRT monitors, and projection TVs, and $10 to recycle LCD TVs and monitors. Use https://tinyurl.com/5d9z5bem to determine if your display devices are CRT or LCD.
Teknix Solutions accepts cash, PayPal or Venmo payments. It will not take credit and debit cards.
“Items not accepted include VHS tapes, CDs, DVDs, vapes, vape pens, e-cigarettes, fire alarms, smoke detectors, thermometers, light bulbs, PCB ballasts, chemicals, household batteries, tires, furniture, large appliances, dishwashers, and devices containing Freon, such as refrigerators,” according to the release.
See the full list of materials that will and will not be accepted at thttps://lawrenceks.gov/mso/electronics-recycling.
