News Flash

Peyton Street Watermain Improvements (12th Ave Water Tower – 6th Ave & South Ave to Warren Way)

The City Commission awarded the Peyton Street Watermain Improvements (12th Avenue Water Tower – 6th Avenue and South Avenue to Warren Way) on July 5th, 2023. The City’s contractor will start the week of September 18, 2023. The project ...

6th Avenue and Prairie Street Intersection Improvements Project Construction Update

KDOT’s contractor will be completing adjustments to the newly constructed traffic signal system beginning the week of Monday, September 18, 2023. The traffic signal adjustments will involve equipment within the roadway including temporary traffi...

KDOT Awards City $1.6 Million for CCLIP Projects

The City of Emporia received notification from KDOT that they have been awarded the City Connecting Link Improvement Projects:

1.    KDOT State Fiscal Year 2025 CCLIP- SP: Surface Preservation (SP) or mill and overlay plus paveme...

City of Emporia Future Water Main Projects

Over the last five years, from January through July, there has been a fluctuation in the number of water main breaks in Emporia:

• 2023: 27 breaks
• 2022: 27 breaks
• 2021: 37 breaks
• 2020: 17 breaks
• 2019: 28 breaks

These statistics reveal that there was a significant...

Update to the KDOT CCLIP Resurfacing Paving Project

The City Commission awarded KDOT CCLIP Resurfacing paving project on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023. This project has an expected start date of late August to early September 2023 and last up to 2 months (weather permitting).

The project involves:

1. Concrete curb...

CCLIP Resurfacing KDOT FY2024 US-50 Highway from Mechanic Street to the East City Limits

UPDATEMonday, August 28, 2023, 8:30 AMThe resurfacing project CCLIP on US-50 HWY from Mechanic Street to East City Limits will begin Monday, August 28th. This project will last through October, weather depending. 

Please follow all construction tr...

600 & 700 Block Mechanic Street Parking Lot Reconstruction Project

The City of Emporia is constructing the above-named project that will impact parking for downtown businesses and ESU events at the Civic Auditorium in the Fall 2023 to Spring 2024. 

Estimated Schedule (weather permitting):Project bid date: End of ...

KDOT CCLIP Mill and Overlay: US50 Highway/6th Avenue Project

A public information meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at 6:00 pm in Conference Room 1AB at the Civic Auditorium, 516 Mechanic St., Emporia, KS  66801.

City staff will present the project schedule, project scope, and potential impa...

6th Avenue and Prairie Street Intersection Improvements Project Update

Beginning Thursday, August 3, 2023, at approximately 8:30 AM, KDOT’s contractor will be powering down the temporary traffic signals at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Prairie Street. The intersection will be temporarily treated as a stop sign...

12th Avenue Elevated Storage Tank Design and Contract with Emporia State University

Since the City announced that the 12th Avenue Water Tower needed to be repaired, painted, and upgraded, several discussions have taken place regarding its design. Emporia State University expressed their interest in partnering on the project by reaching o...

Cooling Centers Announced Amid Heat Advisory

UPDATEThursday, July 27, 2023, 12:30 PMAdditional cooling centers:Raise Your Paws lobby (312 Commercial Street)Monday thru Friday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM"Friendly, leashed dogs welcome."Water bottles and water and treats for ...

6th Avenue and Prairie Street Intersection Improvements Project Update

KDOT’s contractor will begin setting traffic signal poles at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Prairie Street starting the week of July 24, 2023, and work will continue for approximately two weeks, weather dependent. 

Please follow all ...

CCLIP Resurfacing KDOT US-50 from Mechanic Street to East City Limits

City Commission awarded KDOT CCLIP Resurfacing paving project on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023. This project has an expected start date of late August to early September 2023. The project involves full depth pavement repairs between Corinth Avenue and East C...

BNSF Railroad Crossing Closures

UPDATETuesday, July 25, 2023, 2:00 PMThe crossing closure is anticipated to begin this week, and last through to evening of August 4, 2023, extending the closures an additional week. **

Starting the week of July 17, 2023, BNSF Railroad contractor ...

2023 Street Rehabilitation Project

Starting the week of July 12th, 2023, the city’s contractor will begin the asphalt milling portion of the project. The contractor will follow the milling with asphalt overlay. 

Please, avoid the area of construction and find an alternate...

Downtown Irrigation System Repair Update

City of Emporia Facilities crews have made repairs to the irrigation system in the 800 block of Commercial Street. If no other leaks are found, the Public Works Department will begin repairing the sidewalk.

Please, do not remove the construction cones.

Read on...

Highland Street Improvements Street and Utility Improvements

The City’s contractor has completed the utility (sanitary sewer, waterline & storm sewer) improvement construction for the Highland Street and Utility Improvements project. They have constructed subgrade, curb and gutter, angled parking lot,...

6th Avenue/US50 Hwy & Prairie St Intersection Improvements Project

KDOT’s contractor has completed the utility (waterline and storm sewer), sidewalk, pavement marking, and ADA ramp construction.  The remaining items of work include delivery and installation of the traffic signal poles, signal timing of...

Mahtropolis Addition Utility Improvements Project

Beginning on June 26, 2023, the City’s contractor will be starting utility (sanitary sewer and waterline) improvements for the Mahtropolis Addition near Whittier Street between Trusler Road and Riley Avenue. The utility project will last through...

6th Avenue and Prairie Street Intersection Improvements Project Construction Update

KDOT’s contractor has completed the utility, paving, and pavement traffic marking improvements for the 6th Avenue and Prairie Street Intersection Improvements Project. Remaining items of work involve sidewalk, grading, seeding, and installation ...

Highland Street Improvements Phase III Road Closures

The City’s contractor will be moving to Phase III road closures for the Highland Street Improvements Project (PDF). This phase will include the closure of Highland Street for the 1300 to 1500 blocks to include intersections. The 1200 bl...

2023 Street Rehabilitation Project

The City of Emporia’s contractor has begun the 2023 Street Rehabilitation Project. This project will involve resurfacing of streets, curb and gutter repairs, and installation of ADA sidewalk ramps. 

This year’s streets to be re...

City Releases New Mass Notification System

Emporia, Kansas June 12 — With the help of community feedback, the City of Emporia mass notification system has improved! Moving to a new notification platform, Civic Ready, will allow the City to distribute information in a more efficient and streamlined...

Prairie Street Closure at 6th Avenue/US50 Highway

Prairie Street at 6th Avenue / US50 highway to 165’ south will be closed to through traffic on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, beginning at 8:00 AM until approximately 12:00 PM.

During the street closure, Evergy will be setting a new transformer and strin...

Blue Cross Blue Shield Pathways to a Healthy Kansas Grant Award

The City of Emporia in partnership with Healthier Lyon County coalition has been granted a $100,000 Healthy Kansas grant by Blue Cross Blue Shield. This grant will directly help fund the 2023 Sidewalk System Improvements Project which serves to create bet...

KDOT Geometric Improvements Project (6th Avenue/US50 Hwy and Prairie Street) Update

As KDOT's contractor continues work on the 6th Avenue/US 50 Highway and Prairie Street Intersection, the following is what travelers can expect over the next several weeks:

• Concrete pavement, storm sewer, waterline, sidewalk, and ADA ramp improvem...

City Hires Community Housing Coordinator

Emporia, Kansas May 11 — The City of Emporia is pleased to announce the selection of Brandi Galbreath as the Community Housing Coordinator. Galbreath started in her new role on May 8, 2023, where she is responsible for the administration of and ...

City Welcomes Tayler Wash as the Director of Special Projects

The City of Emporia is pleased to announce the selection of Tayler Wash as Director of Special Projects. Wash will begin her position on June 6, 2023, where she will coordinate and manage a variety of special initiatives and projects, oversee special proj...

Highland Street Improvements Street Closure

The City contractor for Highland Street Improvements Project will be moving to Phase II setup starting Friday, April 28th, 2023. Phase II will require the closure of Highland Street from 12th Avenue to 13th Avenue, and include the intersection of 13th Ave...

BNSF Railroad Crossing Closures

BNSF Railroad has notified the City of Emporia they will be closing the railroad crossing at the Whildin Street and 12th Avenue beginning May 4th, 2023. The crossing is anticipated to be closed for 1-3 days for resurfacing. 

Please contact the Cit...

City of Emporia Compensation Study

The City of Emporia is continuously working to hire and retain more employees. As a part of this effort, the City Commission contracted the Arnold Group to complete a compensation study to compare current wages with regional averages. The compensation stu...

City Welcomes Mark Detter as Assistant City Manager

Emporia, Kansas Embargo: April 13, 2023, 9:00 am — The City of Emporia is pleased to announce the selection of Mark Detter as Assistant City Manager. Detter will begin his position on May 30, 2023, where he will support and direct aspects of cit...

Temporary Railroad Crossing Closings

BNSF Railroad has notified the City of Emporia they will be closing the railroad crossings at the following locations beginning the weekend of April 1st, 2023:

• Weaver Street
• Carter Street
• Peyton Street
• East Street
• Merchant Street
• Constitution Street

Merchant Str...

Arbor Day Foundation Names Emporia a 2022 Tree City USA

Arbor Day Foundation Names Emporia a 2022 Tree City USA®

LINCOLN, Nebraska (3/15/2023)-Emporia was named a 2022 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day 

Foundation to honor its commitment to effective urban forest management. 

Emporia achie...

Hammond Park Culvert Stormwater Improvements Project

Starting Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the Contractor for the Hammond Park Culvert Stormwater Improvements Project will be storing material on Hammond Park grounds and will begin planned construction in various locations around the park. 

Construction ...

KDOT Federal Aid Project

The City of Emporia and the Kansas Department of Transportation have proposed Geometric Intersection Improvements at 6th Avenue (US-50 Hwy) and Prairie Street. The project is funded as a Federal-Aid project through KDOT.

The contractor will begin the week ...

City of Emporia Awarded Fourth Place in International Water Tasting

The Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting awarded their top honors for best tasting waters from four continents this week. 

The municipal water category saw entries from three continents.  Gold went to Clearbrook, BC, Canada. &...

Highland Street Paving and Utility Project (12th Ave. to 16th Ave.)

UPDATE: March 3, 2023, 11:10 amOn street parking on Highland Street (12th Ave. to 16th Ave.) will be impacted at times during construction.   **

Franchise utilities (electric, gas, telecommunication) will be relocating their faci...

City of Emporia, Mayor Giefer to Step Down

Emporia, Kansas February 14 — City of Emporia, Mayor Giefer will step down from his position this week, in a planned announcement during the City Commission meeting on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

Danny Giefer submitted al letter requesting to v...

Raw Water Intake Site Improvements Receives Award

Emporia, Kansas February 1— The City of Emporia staff was presented with a plaque at the 2022 Kansas Ready Mixed Concrete Association Awards Program for the Water Intake Improvements Project on the Neosho River that was completed in the summer o...

Downtown Precision Concrete Cutting

DOWNTOWN PRECISION CONCRETE CUTTING

*UPDATEJanuary 25, 2023, 7:15 amDue to the snowfall, the concrete project on Commercial will be delayed until Tuesday, January 31, 2023. **

City Crews will Work on 10 and 11 Blocks of Commercial Street

Emporia, Ka...

City Announces Search for Assistant City Manager

The City of Emporia will open the application process for an Assistant City Manager, Friday, January 20, 2023. The new Assistant City Manager position will support and advise assigned departments, direct development and implementation of city department g...

Water Treatment Plant Ozone System

*UPDATE

January 16, 2023, 5:00 pm

City of Emporia Water Treatment Plant crews and vendor representatives were successful in restoring full operation to the Ozone System on Monday. 

After a failed PLC unit was reported on Saturday, January 16, 2023, ...

Rural Street Traffic Light

City of EmporiaChristine Johnson (620) 341-4304cjohnson@emporiaks.gov

RELEASE DATEJanuary 13, 2022

RURAL STREET TRAFFIC LIGHT OPERATIONAL

Traffic Signal Fully Operating

Emporia, Kansas January 13 — The City of Emporia has now completed work...

Construction on County Road 180

City of EmporiaChristine Johnson (620) 341-4304cjohnson@emporiaks.gov

RELEASE DATEJanuary 9, 2023

ROADWAY AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS18th Ave./County Road 180 (Road G to Road F5)

Emporia, Kansas January 9— The city’s contractor wil...

Wheeler Street Closure

RELEASE DATE:

January 3, 2023

WHEELER STREET CLOSED Storm Sewer Improvements Emporia, Kansas January 23— Beginning the week of January 5, 2023, Wheeler Street will be closed to through traffic from 15th Avenue to 18th Avenue pending construction o...

City of Emporia Warming Centers

WINTER WEATHER AVAILABLE WARMING CENTERS

Warming Center Available in Emporia and Lyon County

Emporia, Kansas December 20— Following the winter weather advisories from the National Weather Service, the City of Emporia and Lyon County are releasing winter wea...

CodeRED: Now Available in Spanish

CODERED: MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

Now Available in Spanish

Emporia, Kansas November 21— Following a thorough evaluation and review of alerting systems, The City of Emporia has implemented CodeRED, a high-speed emergency mass notification that is now availab...

CodeRED: Mass Notification System

CODERED: MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

Community Members can Opt-In for System for Notifications

Emporia, Kansas November 1— Following a thorough evaluation and review of alerting systems, The City of Emporia has implemented CodeRED, a high-speed emerg...