Kansas State University

From the VP for administration and finance: 2019 City University Project Fund projects

Submitted by Cindy Bontrager

The Manhattan City Commission voted to approve the 2019 City University Project Fund requests on May 15.

The City University fund was established in 1994 to provide resources for projects deemed to be of mutual benefit to the community and Kansas State University. The fund is financed through the collection of sales tax and franchise fees generated on campus.

The approval by the City Commission is the culmination of several months of work to solicit project ideas from various campus groups and city administration. The projects were vetted through the President's Cabinet and the City University Projects Fund Committee, which comprises nine members representing multiple constituencies from the university and the community. The projects deemed feasible and of mutual benefit were recommended for the City Commission's consideration.

Provided below is a brief summary of the three approved projects. You may view the entire request document on the budget office website.

Calendar year 2019 projects:

• Campus perimeter crosswalk and traffic improvements: Install three traffic signals on North Manhattan Avenue at Vattier Street, Thurston Street and Petticoat Lane. A traffic signal also is proposed at Denison Road and Hunting Avenue. Improvements will be made to medians, crosswalks and ADA ramps on North Manhattan Avenue and Denison Road. The improvements are based on solutions identified in the Campus Edge Pedestrian Crosswalk Improvement Study. First year of a multiyear request. — $570,000.

• Campus Creek stormwater box safety improvements: Improve drainage facilities at the Campus Creek basin. The current box culvert provides insufficient drainage during heavy rain. A non-clogging inlet will maximize capacity and reduce debris. Landscaping will be added for visual aesthetics and to address erosion in the area. One year request — $250,000.

• Colbert Hills special assessment support: Assist in payment of special assessment tax funding associated with the construction of Grand Mere Parkway. Fourth of four-year request — $30,000. 

Thanks to Ethan Erickson, assistant vice president for budget planning, for coordinating the City University request each year. If you have any questions, please contact Ethan at eerickson@k-state.edu or me at cab@k-state.edu. 

Sincerely,

Cindy Bontrager
Vice president for administration and finance