City commission to look at next steps in ongoing levee project

Manhattan city commissioners on Tuesday will discuss next steps with the ongoing levee improvement project as Phase 1 nears completion.

The project reduces the risk of flooding from the Big Blue and Kansas Rivers for an estimated 10,000 Manhattan residents and more than $1 billion of commercial and residential development by bolstering the reliability and structural integrity of the levee system.

Phase 1, which is set to wrap up in late September, raised the levee between 1 and 2 feet along the Big Blue River from the intersection of Casement Road and Hayes Drive, stretching south of the confluence of the Kansas and Big Blue rivers and wrapping around upstream just west of the wastewater treatment plant. The work also included the addition of new relief wells and earthen berms for further levee protection.

At Tuesday’s city commission meeting, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials will update commissioners on the project and its subsequent phases. The second phase involves work along the Union Pacific Railroad corridor. Commissioners will discuss the possibility of closing the 16th Street railroad crossing south of Fort Riley Boulevard as well as upgrades to the 15th Street crossing.

The total cost of Phase 1 is $32.5 million, with the city responsible for $11.4 million. The projected cost of the entire project is $46.3 million, with the city paying $16.2 million.

The city has generated $2.6 million from its storm water surcharge between 2021 and 2023.

Commissioners will not take action on the matter Tuesday and only will discuss it.

The commission also will hear the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 budget proposal of $1.6 million.

The organization is requesting $535,000 for economic development, which is a 1.49% decrease from 2024. However, it is increasing its request for tourism promotion and visitor attraction by 19.32% to $1.65 million.