“CrossroadsMHK: Shape what matters. Choose our path.” has been selected as the official name of the City of Manhattan’s 8-month strategic planning effort that began in January 2021. The project website&nbsp;<a href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=4c439a2f91&amp;e=8c33f27c6f" target="_blank">www.engagemhk.org/crossroads</a>&nbsp;is now live and the public is invited to share input. In addition, the first round of public engagement meetings has been scheduled for the week of March 22. CrossroadsMHK is an ambitious effort to develop a City-wide strategic plan to guide decision making and investment throughout the community. “Manhattan has never created a strategic plan focused solely on the responsibilities and initiatives of our City government,” said Jared Wasinger, Assistant to the City Manager. “This plan will help prioritize city services, programs, projects and future investments to continue making Manhattan a great place to live. City staff and the City Commission are asking the community to get involved and contribute their ideas and thoughts about how they want their City to run.” On January 5, 2021, the City Commission approved 5-0 an agreement with Planning NEXT, strategic planning consultant of Columbus, Ohio, to help the City undertake a community-led effort. Project Website EngageMHK.org is the City of Manhattan’s new engagement website where residents can keep up-to-date on major initiatives and provide input and feedback to the city. The CrossroadsMHK project website will be the one-stop-shop for information about the City’s strategic plan including educational materials, public engagement dates and sign ups, and multiple opportunities to provide online feedback throughout the 8-month process through online surveys and more. To kick off the engagement process, take a quick online survey today and tell us about your vision Manhattan and the services we provide:&nbsp;<a href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=e6b5f30ae7&amp;e=8c33f27c6f" target="_blank">https://engagemhk.org/crossroads/survey_tools/survey</a> First Round of Public Engagement Community engagement for the planning process will begin with a round of virtual public meetings during the week of March 22. People who wish to participate are invited to register for one of the following meetings dates and times:<ul>
 <li>Monday, March 22 – Noon-1:00 p.m.</li><li>Tuesday, March 23 – 7:30-8:30 a.m.</li><li>Wednesday, March 24 – 7:00-8:00 p.m.</li><li>Thursday, March 25 – 4:00-5:00 p.m.</li>
 </ul>Anyone in community can register for one of the four virtual public meetings on the project website:&nbsp;<a href="https://cityofmhk.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=e92cc4cc1e09dc1dafa7ba9da&amp;id=cdf0254f3b&amp;e=8c33f27c6f" target="_blank">www.engagemhk.org/crossraods</a>. Facilitated by Planning NEXT, the virtual meetings will be conducted via Zoom Web Conferencing, and will include information about the planning process, highlights of community research gathered by the consultants, along with breakout sessions for smaller group discussions and live polling opportunities for participants to provide feedback. Anyone who does not have access to technology for virtual participation but wishes to participate in the first round of public engagement may contact the City Manager’s Office at City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Avenue, in person or by phone at 785-587-2408. A second round of public engagement meetings will be held in May 2021. These meetings will be held in person if COVID safety guidelines allow. Community Project Committee The strategic planning process will be also guided by a 35-member Community Project Committee appointed by the City Commission. The Committee held its first meeting on Thursday, February 4. The committee is charged with representing Manhattan residents throughout the planning process and providing guidance and direction to staff and consultants at crucial steps in the process.By Vivienne Uccello

CrossroadsMHK: City's Strategic Plan Website Now Live