Oct. 1, 2025

The Mandan City Commission will soon consider appointments beginning in 2026 for positions and seats on boards that assist with City governance and community development. Applications are being sought for 20 positions on 10 different boards or committees.

Interested individuals can apply online at cityofmandan.com/boardapplication for their desired appointment. Members of the business community and residents are encouraged to apply by Oct. 31 or until positions are filled.

• Airport Authority
• Architectural Review Commission
• Code Enforcement Appeals Board
• Community Beautification Committee
• Growth Fund
• Parking Authority
• Planning & Zoning Commission
• Renaissance Zone Committee
• Special Assessment Commission
• Visitors Committee

For committee rosters and descriptions for City of Mandan volunteer advisory positions, visit cityofmandan.com/boards. To view the full news release, visit cityofmanan.com/news.

An independent selection committee has reviewed business start-up applications for the 2025 Mandan Business Pitch Challenge. The four finalists are:

• Soda Drop by Kimberly & Darren Hertz – dirty soda company and food service operation.
• Pronto Chore by Vaughn Deinhart, Michael Storick and Arnie Strebe – technology platform connecting small businesses and homeowners with local “ProntoPros” to complete seasonal, residential and commercial chores.
• Learning Loft Childcare by Tauni & Cameron Causey – childcare center.
• Dakota Soda by Samantha Roth – soda shop with craft sodas, specialty drinks, snacks and branded merchandise.

Finalists will pitch their business proposals to judges Oct. 15 at Central Station Bar & Events, 111 Collins Ave. Doors open at 5 p.m. with contestant presentations beginning at 5:30 p.m. 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 Oct. 8 at cityofmandan.com/register or by calling 701-667-3489.

On Aug. 5, the City Commission voted to approve a ten-year extension of its Renaissance Zone program. The program was first introduced in 2005, encouraging revitalization in the central city and other areas with existing buildings to attract businesses and residents.

The request to extend the program for 10 years received support from Morton County, Mandan School Board and Park Board.

The program has resulted in considerable progress in downtown Mandan, with the help of various developers:

• 97 projects have been completed, adding just over $30 million in documented private investment in the downtown and Main Street area.
• The value of new assessments on completed projects from 2005 to 2024 increased by approximately $28.6 million.
• The value of properties subject to the project grew from $6.9 million in 2005 to $30 million in 2019, the most recent year of available data.
• Completed Renaissance Zone projects between 2005 and present have resulted in 12 retained, 25 expanded, and 21 new businesses.



To renew the program, it was required that Mandan’s development plan be updated, including goals and criteria for eligibility. Eligible blocks include commercial and residential properties. Applicants meeting a minimum threshold for investment in building improvements and other criteria can receive up to a 100% 5-year property tax exemption and a 100% 5-year state income tax exemption.

The Business Development and Communications Department manages the Renaissance Zone program, overseeing applications, finalizing projects, and ensuring compliance. The request to extend the program was submitted to the State of North Dakota after receiving commission approval. The state has since approved the extension.

BUILD grant application unsuccessful, staff looks at next steps

Mandan’s application for a $25 million BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) grant was not successful. This federal grant comes from a program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, providing $1.5 billion annually for the years 2022-2026. It is a very competitive, nationwide grant.

After hearing the results, Engineering staff requested a meeting with officials to learn how they can improve the next application. In the meantime, City staff are looking at breaking the project up into phases (potentially starting with Mandan Proper NW in 2027).

There’s a large area of Mandan, known as Mandan Proper, that is in significant need of a street improvement project. Mandan Proper is the area from Second St NW up to Division St NW between Sixth Ave NW and Collins Ave. The need for this project was identified in the 2024 pavement condition report. Of the approximate 6 miles of road, 93% of the roads in the project area need a full reconstruction.

There is also approximately 15,000 feet of watermain, mostly cast iron, that needs to be replaced as part of this project.

Other key project elements include strategic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant routes; improvements to transit access; and complete streets. Reconstruction of the streets will also reestablish curb and gutter sections increasing conveyance and decreasing ponding.

For several reasons, the project is intended to be split into four phases over several years. It is in its very early stages, and there is the possibility for future BUILD grant applications to assist with project costs.

In August, the City Commission approved a flex fund application for a project in the northwest area of Mandan Proper. This project would extend east of Sunset Drive/Sixth Ave NW and south of Division St NW. The Engineering Department applied for $3.5 million through the North Dakota Department of Transportation flex fund. If approved, construction could potentially start in 2027. 

For background information on the original grant application, see the Feb. 27, 2025 Commission Approves BUILD Grant Application article. Stay tuned for additional updates.

Leaders push to get Memorial Hwy project back on track ahead of winter

While the Memorial Highway project has experienced delays, construction is ongoing, and

steps are being taken to help get the project back on track.

During the week of Aug. 25, leadership from the North Dakota Department of Transportation, City of Mandan, and contractor Reede Construction, Inc. met to address the timeline and explore ways to accelerate progress. Reede committed to:

• Bring on additional crews in September.
• Provide an updated schedule with revised phasing.
• Deliver weekly progress reports to project leadership.
• Share weekly updates with the public to keep everyone informed.

All partners are focused on advancing work as efficiently as possible this fall. For more detailed updates and timelines, check out Reede’s weekly construction newsletter at cityofmandan.com/mhp.

Project Progress. Work continues along Memorial Highway and the latest updates include:

• 21^st Street and 19^th Street are open to traffic.
• 46^th Ave was closed for much of September to allow for safe underground utility installation and paving work. The intersection re-opened Tuesday, Sept. 30. Additional traffic switches through the intersection may be needed to complete all of the work.
• Beginning today, Wednesday, Oct. 1, the south side of the 40^th Ave SE and Memorial Highway intersection is expected to close, to allow crews to complete significant infrastructure improvements. Through traffic on Memorial Highway will not be affected; however, southbound access to 40^th Ave SE from Memorial Highway will be closed. The closure is expected to last approximately three weeks. No detour will be in place, and motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and use alternate routes.
• Additional crews are being added to assist with underground utility work and concrete paving.
• The storm sewer between 46^th & 40^th Ave was to be completed by the end of September.
• In October, Reede plans to shift traffic onto the new concrete roadway between 46th Ave and 43^rd Ave and begin work on the north side utilities.

Business Access. All businesses along Memorial Highway remain open throughout

construction. However, access routes may change as underground utility work and

concrete paving progresses. Please watch for posted signage and drive with caution.

In late May, the Mandan Progress Organization launched a Memorial Highway Gift Card Program, where individuals can purchase digital gift cards from local participating businesses directly at VisitMandan.com. Each card is delivered as a digital wallet file that appears on your phone just like a regular credit card. You can use the card to shop online or pay in person. As part of the program, the City of Mandan is contributing a 25% match that is automatically issued as a separate bonus card at no additional cost.

Never miss a local event, city update, or important alert again.

The new Mandan app brings our community closer—whether you’re

checking the calendar, reporting a concern, or supporting a local

fundraiser.

Download it today and explore what’s happening around you! Search

“City of Mandan” in the App Store or Google Play.

The City of Mandan’s Beautification Recognition Program is entering its most exciting phase—public voting! This is your chance to help celebrate the residential and commercial properties that make Mandan a more vibrant, welcoming, and visually appealing community.

The Community Beautification Committee nominated 10 properties for three categories:

• seasonal/holiday display
• landscape maintenance/enhancements
• commercial properties

The public is asked to vote for an overall winner from each category at surveymonkey.com/r/25recognitionprogram by 11:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17. Winners will be recognized at an upcoming City Commission meeting, on the City’s website, social media and in the Mandan Messenger newsletter.

In the past, the Community Beautification Committee asked the public to nominate properties, throughout the year, that stand out for their landscaping, structural enhancements, seasonal displays, or overall aesthetic charm. However, there were very few public nominations, with nearly all nominations coming from committee members, Earlier this summer, the committee decided to take a different approach which would require a nomination period followed by a public vote. For the revamp's trial run in 2025, the committee members nominated the properties and are now putting it out to a public vote for one overall winner for each category. Next year, the committee hopes to see the public get more involved and nominate the properties for a summer public voting period.

Why It Matters: This program not only recognizes property owners who go the extra mile to beautify Mandan—it also encourages community pride and involvement. Your vote helps spotlight the spaces that inspire and uplift our city.

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