The timeline for completion on a major renovation project may be pushed back slightly following action by Emporia City Commissioners Wednesday.
During their regular action meeting Wednesday morning, commissioners approved signing a request for an extension for the Gazette Building LLC. CDBG project. The reason for the extension, according to Assistant City Manager Tayler Wash, is due to a delay in delivery for the building’s sprinkler and fire suppression system.
The extension, if approved by the Kansas Department of Commerce, will grant developers an additional six months to complete the project at 517 Merchant Street, pushing the date of completion to February 28, 2026. According to Wash, the timeline extension will not have any effect on the CDBG funding allocated to the venture.
During the meeting, City Mayor Erren Harter noted this would likely be the final extension for the project; however, Commissioner Susan Brinkman stated she didn’t feel that would be a fair course of action, noting it is likely this may not be the last delay the project could see.
Colleen and Rick Mitchell purchased the former home of the Emporia Gazette back in 2022 with plans to repurpose it into a multi-use space that will include a restaurant, office space for Mitchell-Markowitz Construction, five “luxury residential units,” two short-term visitor rental units and an artist-in-residence studio. The request will now be reviewed at the state level
Separately Wednesday, commissioners also approved amending the parcel type of Industrial Park IV from Lyon County industrial flex to Emporia industrial flex. Commissioners also approved a Kansas Department of Transportation CCLIP project for mill, overlay and pavement markings on US Highway 50 from Prairie Street to Neosho.
Following an executive session, commissioners convened their regular study meeting, where the only item of business was continued discussions on the 2026 budget. Wednesday’s conversation focused on utility rates for the coming fiscal year, specifically the water, wastewater water and solid waste funds.
According to City Finance Officer Janet Harouff, all three funds will be seeing rate increases in the coming year of roughly 10 percent each. Harouff stated revenues from the increases will help to cover normal expenses; however, they will not be substantial enough to help replenish the reserve levels of the aforementioned funds, which are all currently operating under the 20 percent reserve level.
Harouff says the cause of the low reserve levels differs based on each fund.
Emporia City Commissioners will hold another series of discussions on the budget at their next regular meeting. The Emporia City Commission will next convene this coming Wednesday, August 27th, at 11 am as the city considers authorizing both a funding application and related agreements for significant upgrades to the DeBauge Family Sports Complex. That meeting will take place inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
