Kansas Municipal News
Pratt is the latest Kansas town facing nitrate pollution. One-quarter of its water supply is off
Nitrate pollution has forced a central Kansas town to shut off two wells that make up nearly one-quarter of its total permissible water supply. The state of Kansas will help Pratt afford the cost of drilling a new well in a different location with cleaner groundwater. But ultimately this town of 6,500 people, like so many others in the middle of the country, will need to find a way to cover the steep price tag of removing an increasingly widespread contaminant from its drinking water. “The reality is that we have to supply quality, healthy drinking water to our citizens,” city manager Regina Goff said, “and adhere to all the regulatory limits.” Nitrate reaches waterways and groundwater from sources like feedlots, farm fertilizers and leaky septic tanks.
Source: KCUR News
Wichita looking at options for current water treatment plant
Wichita officials are considering options for the city’s current water treatment plant, when the new plant goes online next year. Options for the current plant were presented to City Council members in a workshop meeting Tuesday. Laura Quick with the city’s Public Works Department said most of the options deal with having the plant on standby for emergency use, but there are some maintenance issues that need to be addressed. Some other factors to consider are the treatment capacity, the time it would take to start up the plant, and whether it would be using water from Cheney Lake or the Equus Beds aquifer. One option would be to demolish the plant, which could cost $50 to 75 million. Options for emergency use would range from $8 million to $33 million.
Source: 101.3 KFDI
Municipal Bond Trends for October 24, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Commission split on protection from income discrimination for renters
City commissioners discussed expanding the city’s non-discrimination ordinance to bar landlords, property owners and real estate brokers from refusing to rent to prospective tenants who want to pay with legal income other than job wages. If passed, the ordinance would allow tenants to be able to pay for housing using vouchers, disability payments, rent relief programs and other sources of income.
Source: 1350 KMAN
Methane flares from JoCo landfill remain a problem in Shawnee. What can city do?
Continued concerns over methane flaring at the Johnson County Landfill prompted the Shawnee Planning Commission this week to take the rare step of issuing a revised special use permit with a shorter timeframe than such permits normally get.
Source: Johnson County Post
Leawood hires Leavenworth official to lead planning, development efforts
One of Johnson County’s wealthiest cities has tapped a longtime development executive to oversee its strategic planning efforts. Leawood appointed Julie Hurley as its next planning director. She will begin her new role on Dec. 2. Hurley has spent the past decade working for Leavenworth, where she most recently was the director of planning and community development. She comes to the new role with more than 20 years of experience in municipal government, including time spent as a city planner in Shawnee, Overland Park and Olathe.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Johnson County study will consider how to develop De Soto roads
New roads in De Soto could drive future development at Astra Enterprise Park, where Panasonic is building a $4 billion battery plant. For about 80 years, thousands of acres of undeveloped land in northwest Johnson County have been cut off from the surrounding region. Johnson County now is partnering with De Soto, Edgerton, Olathe, Gardner, Douglas County and the Kansas Department of Transportation on a $250,000 study to evaluate ways to reconnect the business park with surrounding roadways.
Source: Kansas City Business Journal
Firefighters battle grass fire in northeast Wichita
Firefighters brought the grass fire in northeast Wichita under control around 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Sedgwick County crews remained on the scene throughout the night and into Friday morning, putting out hot spots. At last check, around 300 acres burned. However, crews expect to get a better look at the damage on Friday morning. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. KSN has learned the fire is not close to containment, and crews will be out in the area for several hours. There is no immediate danger to people at the moment, but people are leaving the area on their own.
Source: KSN-TV
New roundabouts in the works for Topeka, Shawnee County
New roundabouts are coming to Topeka and Shawnee County in the years to come as local officials look to increase safety for drivers and pedestrians. Working for you, 27 News reached out to the Shawnee County government and City of Topeka to learn more about local roundabouts and where people might expect to see new ones appear. Two are currently in the works, with another two possible roundabouts still in the planning stages. Shawnee County spokeswoman Amanda Monhollon, responding to a 27 News information request, said two roundabouts are under construction at two different places in the county. The completion of these projects will bring the total number of roundabouts up to 17.
Source: KSNT 27 News
City proposes changes to stop parking fund depletion by 2027
The Topeka City Council Policy & Finance Committee says the parking reserve fund could be depleted by 2027 unless changes are made. The City of Topeka is spending $22.2 million over the next three-and-a-half years to improve eight parking garages. The funding was approved in fall of 2022. Included in the renovations are updated security cameras, pigeon-proof netting, waterproofing, façade facelifts and structural improvements. In the most recent Policy & Finance meeting on Oct. 22, the city heard there is an estimated loss of $415,965 for 2024 and a budgeted loss of $454,775 in 2025. The city is now considering subsidizing parking from other revenue sources because the current forecast would see the parking reserve fund depleted by 2027.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Can Shawnee County’s AI camera system track you?
Shawnee County employs around 30 high-end AI ‘force-multiplier’ cameras capable of tracking suspects, should you worry about being surveilled? Connect Shawnee County is a registry of around 30 high-end AI cameras, 321 registered cameras and 855 integrated cameras that police and deputies use to canvass areas. The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office said the registry lets officers quickly find cameras in an area, saving them time when working cases. According to the Connect Shawnee County website, CORE Elite AI, the brain inside the cameras, can set alert profiles using a list of parameters law enforcement sets. 27 News asked the sheriff’s office what parameters are used to set the alert profiles. Christian said the cameras are only used to track suspects under certain contexts. She said a suspect fleeing the scene of a crime in a vehicle can be tracked while the vehicle is in motion and in range of a camera. The AI search feature is not employed for general suspect searches or searches through facial recognition.
Source: KSNT 27 News
Olpe water system dry after water main break Thursday evening
Contract crews are gathering near the site of a significant water main break that has drained Olpe’s water supply. Olpe City Clerk Joyce Wilson tells KVOE News the failure site was discovered around 8:30 am Friday, better than 12 hours after water issues were first reported to city officials by 6 pm Thursday. The break site is on an 8-inch line near Road 130, or about two miles south and a mile east of the Olpe pump station, which is just south of the old Fanestil Meats plant on Kansas Highway 99 south of Emporia. Crews and city staff worked through the night and past sunrise to find the leak — a process made more difficult by night and up to 0.50 inches of rainfall from thunderstorms. Wilson says it could be early Friday afternoon before the break is fixed and the water tower can start filling. However, both Wilson and Mayor Keith Pimple expect a boil water alert — advisory or order — is coming once the tower is full. Wilson expects it will be at least Monday morning before Olpe can send test samples to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for review, meaning it will likely be Tuesday at the earliest before affected residents don’t have to boil their water.
Source: KVOE Emporia Radio
New Wichita water plant will be more expensive to operate than planned; rate hikes expected
Wichita water customers should brace for higher-than-expected rate hikes over the next decade as the cost of operating a new water treatment plant outpaces the city’s budget. City projections show water and sewer bills increasing by more than 70% over the next 10 years to pay for the new plant and other major infrastructure projects. Low-use residential customers who pay $60 to $70 a month this year would pay $103 to $126 a month by 2034, according to an Eagle analysis of city estimates presented to the City Council during a work session on Tuesday. And those projections could be on the low end of what to expect. The new plant — Wichita Water Works — is scheduled to open April 1, six months late, at a cost of $573 million, $20 million over the city’s 2019 budget. The city will continue operating the Main Water Treatment Plant until at least 2026.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
City asking Lawrence voters to increase sales taxes for affordable housing, homelessness programs
Lawrence voters will soon decide whether to approve a sales tax increase that would add 1 cent per $20 spent in order to fund affordable housing and homelessness services. It’s the second of two questions on Lawrence voters’ ballots in the Tuesday, Nov. 5 general election.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Commission split on protection from income discrimination for renters
It remains unclear following Tuesday’s commission meeting if Manhattan residents will be protected from housing discrimination based on source of income. City commissioners discussed expanding the city’s non-discrimination ordinance to bar landlords, property owners and real estate brokers from refusing to rent to prospective tenants who want to pay with legal income other than job wages. If passed, the ordinance would allow tenants to be able to pay for housing using vouchers, disability payments, rent relief programs and other sources of income.
Source: themercury.com
Three Caney city officials step down due to stress from job
Three City of Caney officials stepped down from their positions at the city council meeting Monday night, saying their jobs were becoming too stressful. The now-former mayor Josh Elliott, city administrator Kelly Zellner, and part-time city treasurer Amber Dean were the three to resign.
Source: KAKE
Group looking to prepare community members for office
For those who want to run for local office, there’s a new group setting up training to get them ready. The group, called Ready to Run, is made up of current and former elected officials, community leaders, as well as local governments. The goal: to create a knowledge base for those looking to run for public office. “We all know there are people who run for positions that have an agenda and a perception of something,” said Ron Lang, who is helping with the organization. “But there’s a learning curve.” To address that curve, an inaugural class of 10 members will attend eight half-day sessions, aimed at providing information about running for office, as well as how city, county, and school district governments work.
Source: Harvey County Now
Explaining the marketing behind ‘Vote Yes for Beer Freedom’
This week, we started distributing yard signs to remind people to vote yes to repeal the 30-percent food rule in Harvey County so we can get with the times like our neighboring counties. For those who are unaware, in Harvey County, if you have a liquor license, you are required to have 30 percent of your overall sales be from food. This rule can be difficult to accomplish for places like bowling alleys and golf courses, which really need to have liquor licenses to attract tournaments and be profitable but often times struggle to function as a restaurant. That’s mostly because their focus isn’t on trying to be a restaurant, even if they do, in fact, serve food.
Source: Harvey County Now
County approves revised NDS agreement with Garden City
The Finney County Commission approved a revised Neighborhood and Development Services Interlocal Agreement with the city of Garden City at the Commission’s regular meeting Monday. Kara Schartz, Finney County Counselor, said this agreement comes after a couple of years working on an updated NDS contract with Garden City. The effective date for the new agreement is Jan. 1, 2025, however there is a transition period, Schartz said. “Essentially, the new way of things going forward will start in July, but the contract itself and the effective date of the contract is Jan. 1, 2025,” she said. “For all purposes as far as when it starts and when any triggering dates for whatever termination or otherwise as far as that goes, the effective date is Jan. 1, 2025.”
Source: Garden City Telegram
Municipal Bond Trends for October 23, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Municipal Bond Trends for October 22, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Wichita City Council discusses future of old water plant
The new Wichita water facility is set to come online in 2026. On Tuesday, the Wichita City Council discussed the future of the existing water plant. The city’s proposal included demolishing the old plant, preserving it or using it for emergencies.
Source: KWCH
Wichita working to bring more than 100 short-term rentals into compliance
The City of Wichita is working to bring more than 100 short-term rentals into compliance, pointing out that nearly one in four are operating without a license. “We’ve sent out 130 notices of violations to short-term rental owners. If they don’t comply, they could receive a first-time violation of $500,” City of Wichita Communications Manager Megan Lovely explained.
Source: KWCH
Prairie Village bans short-term rentals like Airbnbs over owners’ objections
Short-term rental owners in Prairie Village need to switch gears following a newly adopted ban. After a tense and lengthy public comment session Monday night, the Prairie Village City Council voted 10-2 effectively ban short-term rentals inside the city, requiring all such properties have a minimum of a 30-day stay. Short-term rentals like AirBnbs and Vrbos.
Source: Johnson County Post
Overland Park’s new top cop wants to bring transparency and innovation to the job
In the wake of upheaval within the Overland Park Police Department, new Chief of Police Doreen Jokerst — the city’s first female top cop — wants to take on a “forward-thinking” approach to law enforcement as a “servant leader.” “I believe public service is a gift, that this badge should not be taken lightly, and it should be worn with integrity,” Chief Jokerst said in an interview with the Post. “It’s going to be about learning people and ensuring people have a seat at the table and those that may never have had a seat at the table, making sure that they’re invited.” Officer John Lacy, the department’s public information officer, said there has been excitement about Jokerst’s arrival. “The city, the residents and employees of Overland Park, we’re really happy that she’s here, and at the same time, we are looking for what changes she’s going to make for the better for the Overland Park Police Department,” he told the Post.
Source: Johnson County Post
Merriam OKs first-ever requests for flag displays at city hall
With the city of Merriam’s new flag display policy in place, two additional flags will be flown on city property next summer. The Merriam City Council last week unanimously voted to approve requests by a councilmember to fly the LGBTQ/Pride flag as well as the Juneteenth flag at the base of a flag pole display area in front of city hall, 9001 W. 62nd St. These flags will fly on four separate poles at the base of the three flag poles already at city hall. This comes a few months after the city council unanimously voted to adopt a new flag display policy, a move prompted by the city council’s decision to exclude “thin blue line” flags from the city’s Flags 4 Freedom event.
Source: Johnson County Post
Task force says Kansas schools should ban cellphones for all students
An advisory group created by Kansas education leaders is recommending that schools ban cellphones for students at every grade level. A majority of the 36-member Blue Ribbon Task Force on Student Screen Time voted to recommend that districts prohibit students from using cellphones for the entire school day, including during lunch and passing periods. They also voted to recommend that students store personal devices “in a secure location that is not accessible to them during the school day.” The group meets again this week and plans to make its final report with recommendations to the Kansas State Board of Education in November.
Source: KCUR News
Wichita gets look at how much water rates could increase
The cost of providing water and sewer services in Wichita has gone up more than expected. So, the Wichita City Council is being asked to pass some of the costs on to customers. The city has been using the same rate plan since December 2019. On Tuesday, Gary Janzen, director of Wichita Public Works and Utilities, told the council that the 2019 plan is no longer sustainable due to rising inflation and staffing costs. He recommends a 6.14% rate hike in 2025. For residential customers who don’t use much water, it would be an increase of $3.21 a month. Mid-level users would pay $4.79 more a month, and high-volume users would pay $9.59 more a month.
Source: KSN-TV
$9 million to be invested to address water woes in Kansas
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced $9 million in funding for the Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) Project and the Kansas Water Transition Assistance Program. The Equus Beds Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project diverts water from the Little Arkansas River when levels are high, removes particulates, salt and other chlorides, organic material, and sediment, and pumps the water into the Equus Beds Aquifer that is deep underneath Sedgwick, Reno, Harvey, and McPherson counties. The project has been active since the early 2000s, but there has been a significant drop in water levels over the past few years. In addition, the Kansas Voluntary Agreements Program will receive $2 million for the state’s Kansas Water Transition Assistance Program in either the Prairie Dog Creek or Rattlesnake Creek Basins. Under the program, landowners can voluntarily sign over their water rights in exchange for compensation from the state. The funding for both programs comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, through the Department of the Interior.
Source: KSN-TV
Garden City Fire Department giving out free smoke alarms, installation
The Garden City Fire Department said it is giving away free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for Finney County residents. A Facebook post from the GCFD said the initiative is a part of the “Get Alarmed Kansas” program. Detectors for hearing-impaired individuals are also available. GCFD said it will also install the detectors as well.
Source: KSN-TV
Franklin’s Miners Hall Museum plans for preservation and expansion
Preserving the past and preparing for the future are part of the same program at a southeast Kansas museum. Staff with Franklin’s Miners Hall Museum are participating in an assessment of their facility and collection to do just that. Two assessors, paid from by a grant from the Foundation for Preservation and Advancement, aren’t just assigning a dollar value, though. They’ll also be giving advice on how to make sure these artifacts can last for generations to come.
Source: KSNF/KODE
Long lines at Sedgwick County voting sites set record for first day of early voting
More than 3,600 people turned out Monday in Sedgwick County to cast their ballot on the first day of early in-person voting for the 2024 general election. Long lines formed outside early voting places in the county, and Tuesday morning saw more of the same. Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater said Monday was a record-setting day for the first day of early voting, but figures for comparable first days in the 2016 and 2020 November general elections were not immediately available. Monday ended with a 3,627 in-person votes cast. In 2016, about 51,000 early in-person votes were cast, and 2020 saw 67,000 early voters, according to data from the Sedgwick County Election Office.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
County in ongoing litigation over Bitcoin mine
After repeated denials for rezoning requests from both Harvey County Commissioners and planning and zoning board, Print Crypto Inc. filed an appeal with the courts to overturn the decision. Since late 2022, the county heard from both Butler Rural Electric Cooperative and Print Crypto, Inc. about the Bitcoin mining operation taking place at the cooperative’s substation located at 8399 S.E. 84th, Whitewater. The company received a conditional use permit, and Print Crypto, Inc. paid Butler Electric to use one acre of land for its Bitcoin mining operation. After Planning and Zoning Director Karen Rothe received several complaints from neighboring residents, Rothe brought the issue up to the planning and zoning board. Over the course of several meetings, the board heard both from neighbors who complained about the noise as well as road blockages. Owners of both Print Crypto and Butler Electric spoke to the board, requesting a zoning change from A-1 agricultural to rural development services. Both the planning and zoning board and county commission denied the rezoning, stating that the change doesn’t align with the county comprehensive plan or meet the necessary criteria.
Source: Harvey County Now
Out-of-district enrollment impacts districts differently
With legislative changes to out-of-district enrollment allowing students to choose which district to attend, some Harvey County schools were more open to the change than others. Halstead saw a jump in overall out-of-district students, although only a portion was from open enrollment. Superintendent Ron Barry said the district had 71 out-of-district students this year, which is a jump from 55 students last school year.
Source: Harvey County Now
City returning solar regs to planning commission
The Great Bend City Council sent an ordinance on solar regulations within the 3-mile zone back to the Planning Commission when it met Monday. City Administrator Logan Burns had already recommended that action so the commission could consider recommended changes. After Great Bend resident Leslie Barrett shared community concerns about setbacks, the council added those to the list of possible changes.
Source: Great Bend Tribune
Governor Kelly Announces Evergy to Invest More than $2B in Two New High-efficiency Natural Gas Plants
Governor Laura Kelly joined Evergy executives and legislative leaders today to announce that the company will invest more than $2 billion in building two new 705 megawatt (MW) combined-cycle natural gas plants in Kansas. Together, the new projects will provide more than 1,400 MW of dispatchable power. “Kansas is experiencing record economic growth, and Evergy is prepared to deliver the reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy needed.” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Evergy’s multi-billion-dollar investment brings direct value to the Hutchinson and Sumner County areas in jobs and tax dollars. It also ensures Kansas can continue to invite business growth that benefits the entire state.” The plant in Sumner County is expected to begin providing electricity in 2029, and the plant in Reno County is expected to be in service in 2030.
Source: Governor of the State of Kansas
CNBC Daily Open: Concerns over high interest rates return, pressuring stocks
U.S. markets were mixed on Monday. The Nasdaq Composite rose while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell, with the latter snapping its three-day winning streak. The 10-year Treasury yield jumped almost 12 basis points. Europe’s Stoxx 600 index lost 0.66%, with almost all sectors retreating, though oil and gas stocks managed to gain 0.6%. The S&P 500 will return just 3% over the next 10 years, on an annualized and nominal basis, forecast Goldman Sachs’ equity strategy team led by David Kostin. By comparison, the index has returned an average 13% annually over the last 10 years, according to Goldman. The team pointed to high valuations and concentration in today’s stock market as reasons for their forecast.
Source: CNBC – Bonds
Commerce Announces New Round of Funding for HEAL Grants
Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland today announced that $1.5 million is available for a fifth round of Historic Economic Asset Lifeline (HEAL) grants to revitalize dilapidated and underutilized downtown buildings in small communities across the state. These grants help close the financial gaps for communities striving to make their downtown districts economically vibrant. Since Commerce launched the program in 2021, nearly $5 million has been awarded to fund 87 different community projects throughout Kansas.
Source: Kansas Department of Commerce
Municipal Bond Trends for October 21, 2024
The interest rate table above illustrates recent changes in a sample of AA rated bond trades reported to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board’s EMMA® system. Every issuer’s credit is different, and other financing sources may be available. To obtain comprehensive Financial Advisory services for your local government, contact your Ranson Financial Municipal Advisor, Larry Kleeman, or Henry Schmidt.
Kansas economy growing rapidly: More workers needed to support revitalization
Armed with a new economic report, Kansas officials touted jobs data while warning that the workforce continues to face a challenge of not enough laborers. “It’s simple: we need more humans in Kansas to keep up with the phenomenal economic growth our state is experiencing,” said Lt. Gov. David Toland, who is also the Commerce secretary.
Source: Salina Journal
Positive economic report singles out need for housing
According to the most recent economic snapshot from Pittsburg State’s Kelce College of Business, Crawford County’s gross domestic product grew by 8.8 percent between 2015 and 2024. That was greater than the rest of the state. The number of middle-income households also increased by 9 percent in Pittsburg and by 3 percent in the county, as a whole. Statewide, this increase was only 0.1 percent and 0.9 percent nationally. The Kelce report states that local households are on a strong financial foundation that will benefit when interest rates begin to decline. As the economic center of southeast Kansas, 65 percent of Pittsburg’s workforce are commuters, which is a very high proportion, according to the Bureau of the Census. The issue is housing. There are multiple housing projects on-going throughout the city, ranging from apartments to single-family homes at all price points. While the number of residences grows, it is slow and there is not enough to meet demand.
Source: Morning Sun
City of Lawrence clears Amtrak camp; former residents look for path forward
A parade of dump trucks carried away what remained of the camp where people were living behind the Amtrak station in East Lawrence throughout the day Wednesday, including memorials for camp residents who had died. The City of Lawrence Homeless Response Team gave Amtrak residents two months’ notice that the camp was closing. But, as many people in houses would likely not start moving months before they’re evicted, many of the camp residents wanted to stay there until the day they had to leave. Many camp residents had anticipated that the full cleanup of the camp would start at 8 a.m. Tuesday, which was the day the city had told them they’d have to leave. The city had cleared a major campsite previously on the closure date.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners vote to keep City Hall downtown
Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday said it’s important to keep City Hall downtown before voting 3-2 against the purchase of a building near Sixth and Iowa to become the city’s new home. City staff members had asked the commission to approve the purchase of a building, at 2000 Bluffs Drive, that would require an estimated $11.7 million in remodeling on top of a $4.2 million purchase agreement. That’s $15.9 million total, which is almost $4 million more than the commission had budgeted, so a future budget amendment would be necessary. The current City Hall, at 6 E. Sixth St., was built in 1980. It’s about 35,500 square feet, which city staff members and consultants with local design studio Multistudio say is no longer enough space for staff. In addition, staff of Planning and Development Services and Lawrence Municipal Court currently work in space in the Riverfront building next door that is leased for $300,000 per year.
Source: The Lawrence Times
Short-term rentals required to get licensed by last month. At least 1 in 4 haven’t complied
At least one-quarter of short-term rentals in Wichita have yet to comply with new licensing regulations by the city, which went into effect last month. It could result in dozens of criminal charges being filed against non-compliant property owners, city officials say. The city passed new regulations last year for short-term rentals like AirBnBs and VRBOs, as the businesses grew more common throughout Wichita. The new code was meant to formalize the short-term rental market in Wichita because the city’s former zoning code technically made it illegal to rent out most residential properties for less than seven days. The new codes required short-term rentals to get licensed by the end of September. To do so, most property owners have to first change their property’s zoning code, a step neighbors can protest. But 126 of the approximately 470 short-term rental listings in Wichita don’t have a license or haven’t started the process to acquire one, city officials recently shared.
Source: Local News | Wichita Eagle
City, county commissioners get a look at RiverFrontMHK plan
A large pedestrian and bicycle bridge is part of a plan for economic development around the Kansas River in Manhattan. Representatives of Anderson Knight Architects and the RiverFrontMHK committee on Thursday unveiled a development plan to officials from the Manhattan city, Riley County and Pottawatomie County commissions. The proposed RiverFrontMHK plan would connect downtown Manhattan to the Kansas River with a pedestrian and bicycle bridge to provide a direct link between downtown and new riverfront amenities.
Source: 1350 KMAN