City Commission approves plan to develop Riverfront MHK

MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - The Manhattan City Commission unanimously approved a resolution of support for fundraising efforts by Riverfront MHK to develop a master plan for the future development of the waterfront area along the Kansas River.

The resolution states clearly that no City funds will be used for the project. This action was the culmination of a process that began July 21, when Phil Anderson and Tracy Anderson with the Riverfront MHK group made a presentation at a joint City-County meeting about their plan to raise funds to develop a master plan for the Kansas Riverfront near downtown Manhattan.

Manhattan’s 5-year Strategic Plan includes restoring the historic downtown connection to the Kansas River, which could include:

Developing recreational opportunities
Adding riverfront trail connections to other cities
Encouraging commercial investments
Restoring the river’s ecological beauty
Providing outdoor concert venues

“The resolution the City Commission passed was primarily supporting the development of a master plan for the riverfront, which could include some of these items,” explained City Manager Ron Fehr.

”If we can pull this off and I have no doubt that we will. I don’t think Manhattan recognizes the tremendous opportunity that reconnecting the downtown area to that beautiful river will result in making Manhattan a destination,” said Anderson.

The City’s resolution of support expresses a willingness to allow Riverfront MHK to proceed with fundraising and then contracting with Agency Landscape.