The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #35 6-3-26

Posted June 3, 2026

SPECIAL NOTE: JUNE 10TH NOON MEETING WILL BE HELD AT OPTIMIST PARK.  CHUCK SEXTON WILL SPEAK ON THE PATROTIC UNITED STATES 250 YEAR CLEBRATION.  LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED AT NO COST.

VOLUME 2026   JUNE 3   NUMBER 35

The breakfast meeting of the Manhattan Optimist Club was called to order by president, Kelly Karl. A reflection provided by Greg Wurst, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Program:

Program Chair, Mike Fincham, introduced Jared Tremblay. Jared is the director of the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization, and he spoke about the Riley County – Pottawatomie County Second Connection Study.

Jared highlighted information from the Big Blue River 2nd Connection Cost-Benefit Analysis which includes information for five options.

Jared Tremblay, Director of the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization
The idea of a second roadway crossing (2nd Connection) of the Big Blue River between Manhattan and Blue Township in Pottawatomie County has long been discussed.  The purpose of the Cost-Benefit Analysis project is to study and analyze a series of proposed 2nd Connection routes.  The study provides data that will inform and guide future conversations and help move the region towards a viable solution.  This study does not advocate for any of the 2nd connection routes, rather it provides pros and cons of each route.

​This study was funded through a partnership between Pottawatomie County, Riley County, and the City of Manhattan.  As a regional, multi-jurisdictional project, the Flint Hills MPO is administering the study. 

Metric criteria were discussed. For instance, would the route be open during a 100-year flood, the route length, bridge length (if applicable), right of way and property information (i.e., the amount of land to be purchased and number of property owners impacted), projected daily vehicles (current vs. projected), travel time, etc.

There is an interactive web map that allows users to see in detail the five routes studied. Summary boards, a travel time comparison tool and a traffic volume comparison tool are also available on the MPO website.

Cost estimates of the various options range from $13.3 million to $245.6 million.

Next Steps include public outreach (summer 2026), local consensus, forming a local joint leadership committee, preliminary design, preliminary plan development, right-of-way development, etc.

The MPO is looking for feedback. A comment form is available online.

www.flinthillsmpo.org/2ndconnection

Announcements:

Juneteenth is June 19th. Mike Fincham reported that our club has volunteers signed up to distribute water at the Manhattan Juneteenth Grilling Cook-off which is held at City Park from 5-7 PM.

T-Ball: there are a few slots open for umpires. Also, volunteers are needed to work concessions during T-Ball – a new endeavor this season.

Our club is hosting a fastpitch tournament on June 13-14 at Optimist Park. Volunteers are needed to help manage the fields. A sign-up will be posted soon.

There will be a workday at Optimist Park on Thursday June 11 to prepare for the tournament.

Our Instrument Drive is underway and will run from June 1-6.

Next week we will have a Flag Day celebration at Optimist Park. A catered lunch will be served.  Chuck Sexton will speak on the patriotic US 250 celebration.

Our club sponsors a team of 4 to compete at the Optimist District Golf tournament which will be held on August 3. Let Clyde know if you are interested in attending.

The meeting was closed with the Optimist Creed.