July 1, 2022

Mandan will be abuzz with activity through July 4 for the annual celebration of our nation’s independence. The City of Mandan has issued guidance about traffic and parking restrictions to accommodate events like Art in the Park, Mandan Rodeo Days including an approved fireworks display and the Independence Day Parade. Please visit cityofmandan.com/news for information on traffic control, parking and road closures. 

The possession, use, discharge and explosion of fireworks is only permitted from noon to 11:59 p.m. on July 3 and 4.

• No sky lanterns, bottle rockets. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale and use of sky lanterns and bottle rockets is prohibited within city limits.
• Fireworks off limits in parks. Fireworks are prohibited at all city parks, with the exception of Mandan Rodeo Days’ annual display at Dacotah Centennial Park.

It’s important to note that this reflects a 2020 ordinance change and is different from previous years. The fee for violations is $150.

One of many projects north of Interstate 94 is dirt work for a 16th Street and Eighth Ave NE infrastructure improvement project to include constructing streets, water main, sanitary sewer and a parking lot. The infrastructure project was requested by owners of the majority area within this street improvement district. The northeast corner adjacent to the Starion Sports Complex is to be a tennis center owned by the Mandan Park District.

Eighth Ave NE currently exists as a gravel road and serves as secondary access to properties in the area. Improvements call for an urban road with curb, gutter and storm sewer. Total project cost for infrastructure and roadway improvements is just over $4 million to be paid by special assessments from the benefiting properties within the district.  

The Mandan School Board approved bids in May to build the new high school. The approval was for a guaranteed maximum price of $94.5 million. Over 77% of voters in April 2021 approved an $84 million bond referendum to build a new high school and new elementary school in Lakewood.

“While the cost of the buildings has increased substantially over the last year, due to inflation, taxpayers can still expect to pay the $99 per $100,000 of property they own,” says School Board President Sheldon Wolf. “This was the estimate that was shared by school officials during the bond referendum informational meetings last year.”

Additional dollars needed to build the two schools will come from a variety of sources including a successful Career & Technical Education (CTE) grant, proceeds from the sale of property surrounding both new school sites, and public-private partnerships and sponsorship opportunities.

The school district did not accept an alternate bid to build a swimming pool attached to the new high school. The bid for the pool alone came in at $7.5 million, $2.5 million over the estimate. It is designed to be added later if funding becomes available. The current pool located in the Brave Center will continue to be operated by the school and park districts.

Construction is underway on both the new high school and elementary school. Lakewood Elementary remains on track for a fall 2023 opening.

The existing high school will be demolished and the site may be sold for redevelopment after the new high school opens for the 2024-2025 school year. The Brave Center will remain and continue to be the central office for the school district. Mandan Park District’s All Seasons Arena will also remain. 

For more information visit mandan.k12.nd.us. 

Earlier this year, the City Commission approved two request from the Mandan Police Department to make purchases through its asset forfeiture fund. This spring, the department purchased a used police motorcycle from Roughrider Harley Davidson and a drone. Both items will assist the department in different ways.

The motorcycle will be used to help the department be proactive in traffic enforcement. It provides officers with the ability to sit and monitor traffic in areas difficult for a patrol car. The department has upgraded helmets, the communication system, and motor officer uniforms.  

The Mandan Police Department recently released its 2021 annual report which indicates Mandan continues to be a safe place to live, visit, work and play with an overall low rate of serious crimes. The report includes a crime report statistic comparison to previous years, traffic enforcement and crash summaries.

Restaurant & lodging funds approved for holiday display

At its June 7 meeting, the City Commission approved a recommendation from the Visitors Fund Committee for $500,000 toward a holiday light display as proposed by the Mandan Progress Organization (MPO). The MPO plans to activate Dykshoorn Park along West Main Street with an interactive holiday light display. The motion requires the MPO to raise up to $100,000 more for the project. The MPO will be seeking 5-year commitments to include naming rights for various large displays. Stay tuned to mandanprogress.org for opportunities or contact MPO Executive Director Matt Schanandore at 701-751-2983.

The funding stems from a 1% tax on restaurant and lodging sales that is restricted by state law to use for capital improvements and equipment that attracts visitors to the community. Visitor promotion funds cannot be used for road and infrastructure projects, or to reduce property taxes.

Photographers of all ages and experience levels are invited to enter Mandan’s second annual photo contest by capturing special features in the community and surrounding areas in Morton County. The contest is open through Aug. 31, 2022.

“The contest is a way to involve the public in capturing a unique look at people, places and activities that make Mandan and Morton County great places to live, work, do business and visit,” says contest chair Rena Mehlhoff, a member of the Mandan Tomorrow – Leadership, Pride and Image (LPI) Committee.

Barb Sandstrom is the new director of the Morton Mandan Public Library. She previously served as public services assistant for two years and youth services coordinator for another year prior to her promotion in February. Preceding her work at the library, Sandstrom was an educator for 27 years.

Sandstrom is looking forward to the library re-opening to the public. The team has been working hard to cross-train and update procedures to provide the best services possible now that construction is wrapping up and new shelving is being installed.

The library should re-open to the public in August for its 15^th year as the Morton Mandan Public Library. Follow Morton Mandan Public Library on Facebook and Instagram for updates. 

Mandan Union Cemetery offers a columbarium with spaces for cremation urns to be placed. The columbarium, installed in 2019, provides 40 niches, or spaces.  

Niches come with a tile cover that can be engraved. For Mandan residents, cost per space is $800 plus $400 for opening and closing of the niche. The cost increases slightly for non-residents. These prices do not include tile engraving.

The columbarium is a rectangular, black structure, located near the flagpole. Mandan Union Cemetery also offers a scattering garden located near the columbarium. 

The City's boulevard tree-planting program encourages residents or property-owners to plant boulevard trees by offering partial reimbursement. Since 2017, over 200 trees have been planted in city boulevards through the program.

Business donations toward the program of all amounts are appreciated and donors are recognized in the Mandan Messenger, on the City website and social media pages. Businesses donating $500 or more by July 22 will receive a plaque. Donors of $1,000 or more will have their names displayed on a permanent plaque in the Ed “Bosh” Froehlich meeting room at City Hall. Funds are usually available for the entire planting season through October.

For more information, visit cityofmandan.com/trees or call the Forestry Division at 701-667-3240 ext. 8 Mandan is proud to be a Tree City USA for 46 years!

Local businesses featured in 'On the Town with Taylen'

Recenlty Taylen Thomas visited with #SwingAway co-owner Mike Loerch for a new epsidoe of On the Town with Taylen. View the interview on YouTube or cityofmandan.com/business. 

On the Town with Taylen is intended to help acquaint area residents with the people behind Mandan's shops, restaurants and other businesses.

New interviews with Mandan business owners are being released periodically. If your business is interested in being featured, contact City of Mandan Communications & Community Services Coordinator Kari Schmidt.

New & expanding Mandan businesses

New

• Boba & Beyond, 500 W Main St.
• Lotus Healing Co., 1800 E Main St., Ste C
• The Post Events, 3711 Highway 1806 S 

Expanding

• Learning Tree Preschool, 1303 Collins Ave
• Lincoln Repair, 4221 Old Red Trail NW
• Spark Group, 2903 Jude Lane NW 
• West River Equipment, 5300 Old Red Trail NW