By Emma Loura

Riley County officials on Thursday approved a $194,000 proposal from BBN Architects to perform a needs assessment on judicial services. This assessment will include the courthouse as well as the county attorney and community corrections offices. BBN is partnering with Fentress, an architectural firm that specializes in judicial buildings.

Public works director John Ellermann said a part of this assessment will look at the First Christian Church building. Officials previously discussed turning it into a courthouse.

“Part of this is to analyze the church site,” Ellermann said.

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Riley County commissioners unanimously approved a $2.8 million contract Monday authorizing BHS Construction to begin work on the remodel of the old Riley County EMS Station at 2011 Claflin Road.

The facility will become the headquarters for Emergency Management and Riley County Fire District No. 1.

“They’d like to start as soon as we can get a signed contract here,” public works director John Ellerman said.

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By Emma Loura

A road surfacing project in southwest Manhattan may take longer than expected.

On Monday, John Ellermann, Riley County’s public works director, said it may take until October to complete the new overlay on a road project involving Skyway Drive, Stagg Hill Road, Rosencutter Road and South Manhattan Avenue.

Ellermann said he expects the overlay to complete by Sept. 15.

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By Emma Loura/Manhattan Mercury

In the new year, the Riley County Public Works Department will be busy with road and bridge projects, as part of the 2022 Sales Tax Program. The first round of projects includes six bridge projects and three culverts. At Thursday’s meeting, the county commissioners unanimously approved opening the request for quote for the 2022 Sales Tax Program

“Just old structures that are scouring out, the abutments are cracking or some of the deck,” Evan McMillan, the assistant county engineer, said. “Their sufficiency rating is low enough that they need to be replaced.”

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James Kujath of James Gordon and Associates told Riley County Law Enforcement Agency Board members on Monday that RCPD was $130,000 under its 2023 budget.

“That’s a good thing, as if they went over, they’d be violating state statute,” Kujath said.

Kujath said personnel services increased by $2 million in 2023 because the department gave out many raises, including costs related to jail payroll. He added that the department saw a $60,000 decrease in commodities and a $100,000 decrease in capital outlay from the previous year.

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Riley County public works officials announced on Monday that the Kitten Creek Culvert Replacement project will begin at the start of the new year.

Andrea Rose, administrative assistant with Riley County Public Works, said the project will begin on Thursday Jan. 2 and last 45 days with the hope of the project being completed by Mar. 6, weather permitting.

During the project, Kitten Creek Road will be closed to through traffic between Anderson Avenue and N. 52nd Street. A traffic control will be installed during the project.

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By Annie Wolfe/Times of Pott County

Construction of the bridge on Schoeman Rd crossing the Kansas River, often referred to as the Belvue Bridge, is off to a strong start.

Nearly 75 percent of the deck has been removed, and the steel is in good condition other than a five foot area of corrosion that will need to be replaced. The area in question will add an estimated $10,558 to the project. Two stringers and splices showing extensive corrosion will be replaced.

Public Works Administrator Tim Eisenbarth informed the commission of the change order at Monday’s meeting.

The rest of the story can be read at The Times.

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By Emma Loura

One option, a 1998 4800 International dual-purpose wildland pumper, is the fire department’s proposed pick. It costs $30,000 and has 44,400 miles.

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