March 1, 2023

In February, the City Commission voted to move forward with the creation of a placemaking plan for the existing Mandan High School site once construction is complete on the new high school. Together with stakeholders from Mandan Public Schools (MPS) and Mandan Parks and Recreation, the City will be working with the project team of Stantec and ICON Architects to identify future redevelopment opportunities for the 18-acre site. As part of this process, the team will consider redevelopment opportunities for the high school site and surrounding parking lot, while also incorporating the Brave Center and All Seasons Arena, which will remain community and school facilities.

Public Input Opportunity. Between now and mid-August, multiple opportunities for community feedback will be announced. A public information and input meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28, in the Mandan High School Gymnasium from 6 to 8 p.m. There will also be opportunities at many upcoming community events such as Touch a Truck, Art in the Park, and others coinciding with the study schedule. A project website has been created for the public to learn more about this effort and follow along as the plan progresses. 

During the Feb. 21 City Commission meeting, staff recognized the 2022-2023 Winter Decorating award winners. With 46% of the vote, Mane Expressions is the winner, taking home $500 and a traveling trophy to proudly display for the remainder of the year. Copper Dog Café came in second and received $250. Other nominees were Cappuccino on Collins and Hirsch Florist.

Golden Shovel. Public voting for the Golden Shovel award closed Feb. 28. Winners will be announced at a future City Commission meeting.

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 provided $1,500 for a small project to increase community vibrancy during the winter season.

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

Finalists for Mandan's Business Pitch Challenge will present their business proposals to judges March 23 at the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives, 3201 Nygren Dr NW. Doors open at 5 p.m. with contestant presentations beginning at 5:30 p.m. Finalists are:

• Big Stick Cigars by Josette Dupree — a vintage tobacconist’s shop;
• Inside Park by Brittany Kennedy – an indoor park geared towards young children;
• Just You Studios by Katie Bowers – a home office and entrepreneurial community; and
• Send-It! 24/7 Cornhole by Jed Geer, Brad Anderson and Brandon Koch — a recreational venue.

The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for a people’s choice award recipient. For planning purposes, registration is requested by March 17 at cityofmandan.com/register or by calling 701-667-3478.

The Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization is studying the Sunset Drive Corridor from Division Street to 38^th Street (past Mandan Middle School). The corridor serves as a major route to schools, restaurants, hotels, shopping and other businesses, and is vital to the growth and expansion of the City of Mandan.

A public open house was held in September. The next public input meeting is Thursday, March 9 from 5-7 p.m. at Mandan High School Auditorium, with a formal presentation at 5:30 p.m.

Additional information is available at bit.ly/SunsetCorridor. Contact Project Manager Adam McGill by email with comments or questions.

March 27 deadline for Foundation for Education Scholarships

Mandan Public Schools Foundation for Education has over $80,000 in scholarships available to Mandan High School seniors for 2023. Applications are being accepted through March 27.

Learn more and apply at mandanschoolsfoundation.org/scholarships.  

The City of Mandan’s Board of Equalization will meet on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the Ed “Bosh” Froelich meeting room of Mandan City Hall, 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, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday –Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, at 701-667-3232.

Community Clean-Up Day being planned for April 22

The Mandan Community Beautification Committee is planning its 10^th annual Community Clean-Up Day on Saturday, April 22.

Volunteers will pick up trash from ditches along major roadways from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a volunteer appreciation lunch in Dykshoorn Park.

Sign up to volunteer at cityofmandan.com/littercleanupday by Tuesday, April 18. 

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.