Apr. 1, 2025

Memorial Highway reconstruction work is underway! Traffic is reduced to a single lane in each direction with a center turn lane, the speed limit is 25 mph in the project area, and there is an 11-foot width restriction in place.

Memorial Highway is being reconstructed from 32^nd Ave SE to 46^th Ave SE as part of the 2025 construction season. The project includes replacing the existing surface with new concrete pavement, improving drainage, installing underground utilities, and a new multi-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Other improvements include upgraded traffic signals, lighting, improved access for businesses, and drainage enhancements. The east half of the Memorial Highway mainline pavement reconstruction is expected to be completed by mid-November, with the shared-use path and other minor items scheduled for completion in 2026.

Upcoming Work. Project improvements include construction of an underground storm sewer trunk line that will cross 21^st St SE and 19^th St SE. Road closures along 19th St SE will begin today, April 1 and are expected for at least three weeks. Information regarding street closures and proposed detour routes are available on the City of Mandan’s project website at cityofmandan.com/mhp.

About the project. The City of Mandan and North Dakota Department of Transportation are partners on this two-phase reconstruction project from Main Street to the Memorial Bridge that will occur from 2025 to 2027.

Access to businesses and properties along the Memorial Highway corridor will remain open throughout construction. The public is encouraged to use caution when driving in the area and to continue patronizing businesses along the Memorial Highway corridor.

Learn more at dot.nd.gov/memorialhwy and cityofmandan.com/mhp. 

Spring Clean-Up set for April 21-26

The Public Works Department annually sets aside a week for special waste collection and free dumping at the landfill for all city residents. This year, Spring Clean-Up Week is April 21-26. The City landfill will be open on Saturday, April 19 and Monday, April 21 through Saturday, April 26 from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

Residents may place bulky items on the boulevard curb by 5 a.m. on your normally scheduled garbage days, but not more than 24 hours in advance of collection. Only items placed in front of resident houses on the boulevard will be picked up by crews.

Keep items separate from household garbage. Spring Clean-Up items must be kept separate from household garbage and items you do not want picked up. Please mark items such as old garbage cans, crates or boxes that you want to get rid of to ensure these items will be collected.

Appliances. Crews will pick up items placed on the boulevard that two people can lift, such as furniture and appliances. Appliances must be free of food and other items.

Businesses, civic organizations, and youth groups are invited to take part in our community-wide litter clean-up throughout the month of May. The City of Mandan, in partnership with Keep North Dakota Clean, will provide supplies, route guidance and more. Volunteers who participate in May will also have a chance to win prizes!

Now in its 12th year, this initiative focuses on cleaning up ditches along major routes in Mandan.

Additional details:

• There are 17 designated routes for this volunteer effort.
• Routes are best suited for groups of 8-10 people, but individuals are welcome to sign up. City staff will assist in connecting solo volunteers with a group.
• Returning volunteers are encouraged to reuse their previous bright yellow or orange volunteer shirts when cleaning their route. New volunteers should submit shirt sizes when registering. Shirts will be provided as available.
• Group leaders will be asked to pick up supplies in late April.

View available routes and sign up at cityofmandan.com/littercleanup.

Questions? Contact Communications Specialist Kari Schmidt at 701-667-3478 or kari.schmidt@cityofmandan.com.

Everyday Clean-Up Option. As the weather warms up, residents are also encouraged to pick up litter while out walking. Please bag any trash and avoid sharp objects. Report large items such as animal carcasses or discarded tires to the Public Works Department at 701-667-3240 or publicworks@cityofmandan.com.

Judges with expertise in photography and marketing recently evaluated finalist photos in the 2024 Mandan Photo Contest. Photos were submitted throughout 2024, and the 60 entries from 21 talented photographers were evaluated on applicability to community marketing, originality, subject matter interest, visual appeal, and consistency with category themes. Photographers of all ages and experience levels could enter by submitting special images of the community and surrounding areas in Morton County.

A selection committee made up of community members Rena Mehlhoff, Layn Mudder and Mandan Progress Organization Executive Director Matt Schanandore narrowed the 60 entries down to 19 finalist photos. Those photos were forwarded to a panel of judges for evaluation. Judges were NDAREC Senior Graphic Designer/Photographer John Kary, Bismarck Mandan Chamber EDC Communications Specialist Rebecca Pelkey, and presenting sponsor First International Bank & Trust Ag Loan Officer Connor Levorsen.

2024 Mandan Photo Contest Winners

Achievement – Let’s Read! by Paulette Bullinger, Bismarck

Community – Mandan Dog Park by Ben Buchmiller, Mandan

Fun - Kayaking the Heart by Ben Buchmiller, Mandan

Opportunity – Mandan City by Ben Buchmiller, Mandan

County - 140 Year Old Sims Church by Paulette Bullinger, Bismarck

Best in Show. New to the contest this year was the addition of a best in show category determined by contest judges. The Best in Show winner is 140 Year Old Sims Church by Paulette Bullinger.

People’s Choice. The people's choice award winner as determined by the public through online voting is Frosty Morning by Andrew Kjonaas of Mandan. Frosty Morning received 60 of 192 votes cast. View winning entries at cityofmandan.com/photocontest.

Other finalists were Kayla Weiss, Alex Bush, Cindy Levi, Kristie Stroh, Amy Bohl, Andrew Kjonaas, Jamie Wetsch and Jacey Wanner.

Sponsors. Each category winner receives $100 in Mandan Bucks gift certificates sponsored by businesses as follows:

• Best in Show (Presenting Sponsor) – First International Bank & Trust
• Achievement — Beyond the Blooms
• Community — Capital Credit Union
• Fun — Vision Source Mandan
• Opportunity — NAPA Auto Parts Store
• County — Comfort Inn & Suites
• People’s Choice — Copper Dog Café

LPT Images sponsored the youth category, however there were no youth entries submitted this year.

Additional perks for photographers include:

• Exhibition of winning photographs for at least a year at Mandan City Hall or other public facility plus provided to each category sponsor for show.
• Consideration for inclusion in other public art displays.
• Publication in print and online for purposes of tourism promotion and community marketing with credit given to the photographer whenever possible.

Finalist and winning photos may be viewed on “Made in Mandan” community marketing social media pages.

The contest is a joint project of the Mandan Progress Organization and City of Mandan Business Development and Communications Department. Additional information on the photo contest is available at visitmandan.com/photo-contest.

The City of Mandan has a boulevard tree planting program that encourages property owners to plant boulevard trees.

Residents are encouraged to work with the Forestry division of Public Works to complete a permit and select from an approved list of boulevard trees, prior to planting. Once the tree, or trees, have been planted and City staff has inspected the site, the resident or property owner may be reimbursed for the partial cost of each tree. Reimbursement to the purchaser will be up to half the price of the tree, up to $75 per tree. The limit is $300 per property for 2025, as funding permits.

To receive reimbursement, residents must submit a copy of the original sales receipt for the tree within 30 days of purchase to Mandan Public Works attn: Forestry, 411 6^th Ave SW, Mandan. The receipt needs to show the species of the trees purchased, cost of each tree, and the name of the company from which the trees were purchased. Reimbursement comes in the form of a check from Mandan City Hall.

There has been excellent participation in the program and funds are typically available from April through October. Since 2017, roughly 500 trees have been planted in city boulevards through the program!

Next year will mark the City of Mandan’s 50^th anniversary as a Tree City USA! Mandan has earned this distinction, since its inception in 1976, by having an adequate budget allocation for city forestry, a tree ordinance, and a formal Arbor Day celebration each year. To celebrate 50 years as a Tree City USA, City staff and leaders are asking the public to help plant 50 boulevard trees by the end of 2025. If interested, visit cityofmandan.com/trees or call Public Works at 701-667-3240.

It’s important to note, Mandan Municipal Code Sec 115-4-7(c) states that the property owner is responsible for the trimming of boulevard trees in regard to vehicle or pedestrian clearance and sight problems with obstructing trees at 14 feet over the street and 10 feet over sidewalks.

The City of Mandan’s Board of Equalization will meet Tuesday, Apr.1 at 7 p.m. in the Ed “Bosh” Froelich meeting room at Mandan City Hall (lower level – 205 2^nd Ave NW). Each City of Mandan taxpayer has the right to appear before the City of Mandan Board of Equalization and petition for correction of the taxpayer’s assessment.

Questions concerning this meeting should be directed to the City Assessor's Office, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday –Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, at 701-667-3232 or by emailing assessing@cityofmandan.com.

Mandan Public Works recently opened the city’s grass collection sites. The department places grass and leaf collection bins at five designated sites each spring:

• Old Red Trail & Hillside Rd NW (grass)
• Mandan Brave Center, 901 Division Street NW (grass)
• 8th Ave SE & Hwy 1806 South (branch & grass site)
• 24th Avenue SE & Longspur Trail (grass)
• McKenzie Dr SE & 34th Ave SE (grass)

Please note, tree branches under 4 inches in diameter can only be disposed of at the 8th Ave SE and Hwy 1806 S site. Branches bigger than 4 inches in diameter must be taken to the landfill.

Residents can sign up to receive news and announcements via text message from the City of Mandan!

Messages may include information on garbage and recycling collection schedule changes, volunteer opportunities, office closures, etc.

Users may receive up to three messages per month and have the ability to opt-out at any time.