Feb. 1, 2023

The City Commission recently approved an application for the downtown street improvement district – a project that would improve the avenues and First Street NW in the core downtown area.

Past applications for this project have been submitted in 2019 and 2021. In 2019, a partial award was offered but not accepted, and in 2021 the application was unsuccessful. The Engineering Department has since revised the application, with a three-phase approach working west to east, about four blocks at a time.

The City of Mandan plans preventative street maintenance projects annually to keep streets in good condition, typically this is done through a chip seal and surface treatment. This helps prolong the need for a total reconstruct project, which could cost up to 20 times more than a maintenance project.

The City Commission considered the 2023 street improvement project at its Jan. 17 meeting, however, the Engineering Department plans to bring it back for further consideration on Feb. 7 after modifying the plan.

Area 1. This project provides preventative maintenance with some spot locations of full depth improvements to streets in northwest and northeast Mandan—south of I-94. Area 1 includes the area from Sunset Drive to Eighth Avenue NE and I-94 south to Division Street NW. It was about 10 years ago when a project was last completed in the area.

Area 2. The Engineering Department is also planning to continue street maintenance in the Plainview area through this district. This consists of 27^th Street SE from Eighth Avenue SE to 14^th Avenue and south toward their respective dead ends. Last year, a project was completed in the neighboring area, however it was determined the project scope wasn’t ideal for some of the streets south of 27^th Street. While this area was originally scoped as mainly preventative maintenance, some reconstruction is necessary given the current state of the base structure.

Mandan will soon recognize businesses and commercial property owners that do a good job keeping walkways free of snow and ice. Nominations for the “Golden Shovel Award” will be accepted through the end of day, today, Feb. 1.

Nominees to date are:

• Beyond the Blooms, 111 4^th Ave NW
• Buffalo Commons Brewing, 2307 Memorial Hwy
• Butcher Block Meats, 108 W Main St
• Copper Dog Café, 218 W Main St
• Corral Sales RV Superstore, 617 6^th Ave SE
• Environmental Services, 402 First St NW
• Hirsch Florist, 211 W Main St
• M&H Gas Station, 322 E Main St
• NarDawahl’s Tattoo Emporium, 122 ½ W Main St
• Vicky’s Sports Bar, 106 Second Ave Nw

Public voting will take place Feb. 6-28. The link to vote will be shared at cityofmandan.com/winterawards and on the City’s social media channels.

First place will receive $500 and the traveling Golden Shovel to proudly display until next winter. Runner-up will receive $250. Winners will be announced at a future City Commission meeting.

Winter Decorating Award. Public voting for the winter decorating award closed Jan. 13. Winners will be announced and recognized at the Feb. 21 City Commission meeting beginning at 5 p.m.

These contests are a way for the City of Mandan to pay forward to the business community a prize from its Main Street Initiative award for overall excellence. The North Dakota Department of Commerce is providing $1,500 for a small project to increase community vibrancy during the winter season.

The goal of Mandan’s winter contests is to improve the city’s sparkle, accessibility and pedestrian-friendliness during the winter season. 

Marathon Mandan Refinery recently presented a $50,000 Thriving Communities grant to the Mandan Police Department for the purchase of a rescue side-by-side vehicle. This rescue side-by-side will be used year round during inclement weather to respond to calls or transport fire and medical personnel, to access undeveloped areas of the city where no roads exist, during community events, and more.

Thank you Marathon Petroleum for your generous donation through the Marathon Community Investment Programs and for your continued support of Mandan!

During its Jan. 17 meeting, the City Commission approved supporting a collaborative effort to procure funding for a state-owned carbon dioxide storage facility in an effort to maintain a long-term affordable and reliable source of carbon dioxide.

Carbon dioxide is a vital component in the City’s water treatment process, and is becoming increasingly expensive and hard to obtain.

How is carbon dioxide used to treat drinking water? Carbon dioxide is used to adjust the pH and optimize the corrosion control for the water treatment plant and distribution system. Water without added carbon dioxide is high pH, high alkaline and likely has particulate deposits, which can cause damage to the distribution system.

Madison Cermak is excited to start her new role as the Business Development and Communications Director for the City of Mandan.

Cermak is responsible for leading the city’s economic, business and community development efforts by providing support to existing businesses, fostering entrepreneurism and attracting new businesses. She’ll manage local business assistance and incentive programs; conduct business retention and expansion visits; organize informational and educational activities for existing businesses and start-up prospects, and more. Cermak will also oversee community marketing, public information and outreach activities.  

Teamwork is the highlight of the 2022 Business & Community Development annual report. Community progress is possible through collaboration among many public and private sector entities. 

The report shares information on projects promoting community health and vibrancy, a recap of the projects receiving assistance from the City’s incentive programs, entrepreneurial education and outreach over the last year, and more.

Property owners will receive the report with their monthly water bill in February in lieu of the printed Mandan Messenger newsletter. Copies are also available at City Hall. 

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.

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