Salina Capital Plan: Major Road Projects, $8 Million Bridge Replacement, Schilling Cleanup and Future Growth

Salina city commissioners reviewed a wide-ranging list of current and future capital projects Monday, including major intersection and bridge improvements, long-term environmental cleanup, changes to the city’s development plan and infrastructure needs tied to continued growth.

The discussion came as commissioners reviewed the city’s updated five-year Capital Improvement Plan. City officials emphasized that the document remains a working plan and that projects can be moved, delayed or reprioritized as costs, funding and community needs change.

Here are several of the notable items discussed.

Ohio-Schilling Intersection Improvements Could Move Up From 2031

Improvements to the intersection of Ohio Street and Schilling Road could be moved several years earlier following concerns raised by commissioners about traffic and public safety.

The project had been positioned for 2031, but commissioners discussed moving it into approximately 2028.

Concerns centered on increasing traffic related to south Salina’s industrial and residential growth, along with visibility and turning movements at the intersection.

One commissioner said the intersection should be addressed sooner because of continued development in the area and identified Ohio-Schilling and the East Magnolia bridge as two of the city’s more pressing transportation needs.

City staff said moving Ohio-Schilling forward could be accomplished by pushing other projects farther into the future.

Under the direction discussed Monday, the East Iron Street project and the proposed gateway sign project could be moved to approximately 2031. Commissioners indicated general support for that approach.

The gateway sign project is currently estimated at approximately $1.6 million and would place signs at major entrances into Salina.

The changes are not yet final and are expected to be incorporated into revisions to the Capital Improvement Plan.

East Magnolia Bridge Replacement Estimated at $8 Million

Another major transportation project under consideration is the replacement and improvement of the East Magnolia Road bridge near the soccer complex.

The current estimated cost is approximately $8 million. City staff discussed a potential late-2027 bid letting, with construction following afterward.

Commissioners identified the bridge as a significant transportation and safety concern because of its width, vehicle traffic and pedestrian and bicycle activity.

One commissioner identified East Magnolia and Ohio-Schilling as the two transportation projects he considered the highest priorities.

City Manager Jacob Wood said the East Magnolia project has appeared on the city’s capital planning list for approximately five to seven years.

The $8 million figure remains an estimate and could change before construction.

Proposed 2027 Capital Plan Includes Nearly $25.7 Million in Projects

Overall, the city’s proposed Capital Improvement Plan currently includes approximately $25.692 million in projects for 2027.

Major transportation and infrastructure items in the plan include the East Magnolia bridge project, East Crawford improvements and several design projects for future construction.

Approximately $12.78 million of the proposed 2027 projects are currently listed under debt financing, while enterprise-fund projects total approximately $7.7 million.

Wood said the city has generally attempted to keep property-tax-supported capital spending relatively level rather than continually adding new property taxes to fund projects.

The city currently makes approximately $16 million in annual debt payments across its various funds.

Finance Director Debbie Pack said approximately $6.5 million of that amount is tied to utilities, while roughly $3 million comes from property taxes. Other funding sources include special assessments, transient guest tax and other revenues.

Pack said the city’s current financial modeling shows the debt-service fund remaining manageable for several years under existing assumptions, although future project costs, interest rates and tax policy could require adjustments.

Schilling Cleanup Fund Has Grown to More Than $69 Million

City officials also provided an update on money set aside for the long-term remediation of the former Schilling Air Force Base.

The city originally received approximately $67 million through its settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice for environmental remediation.

Officials said Monday that investment earnings have increased that amount to more than $69 million.

The issue came up because the city’s long-term planning documents continue to identify the possibility of needing additional funding in the future.

Officials stressed that additional borrowing is not currently required and may never be necessary.

The remediation and monitoring process could extend approximately 30 years, meaning the city is keeping the possibility of future costs on its long-range financial radar.

Officials said the Schilling money is maintained separately and is restricted for the remediation project. Existing funds would be used before additional financing is considered.

Salina Preparing Major Update to Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code

Salina is also preparing for a significant update to its comprehensive plan and zoning code.

Wood said the city’s current comprehensive plan dates to approximately 2010 or 2012 and is overdue for an update.

The comprehensive plan guides where and how development occurs throughout Salina. Wood said the city has encountered multiple projects in recent years that required amendments because development was occurring differently than anticipated when the current plan was created.

The project will also include a rewrite of Salina’s zoning code.

Wood said portions of the current code are old and difficult for both residents and developers to understand. The goal is to make the rules easier for the public and city staff to interpret.

The city expects to issue a request for proposals within approximately one to two months.

The overall process is expected to take approximately 12 to 18 months and will include public meetings, committees and other community participation.

No changes to the comprehensive plan or zoning regulations have been approved at this point.

Continued Development Could Eventually Trigger Holmes Road Improvements

Continued housing development in east and southeast Salina could eventually require significant improvements to Holmes Road.

City officials said Salina’s perimeter street policy requires certain new developments connecting to a road to participate in bringing that street up to city standards.

As Magnolia Village continues expanding east, officials said it could eventually reach a point where that requirement is triggered on Holmes Road.

The challenge is the potential cost.

Wood said upgrading Holmes Road would be expensive, and placing the entire cost on developers could create special assessments high enough to discourage development.

The city has therefore been examining alternative approaches, including the potential use of a Rural Housing Incentive District, or RHID.

Officials have also discussed whether an interim or reduced street standard could be used while development continues.

Wood said the issue is expected to receive additional discussion during the city’s long-range strategic planning process this fall.

No Holmes Road improvement project or financing package has been approved.

Capital Plan Remains a Working Document

City officials repeatedly stressed that the five-year Capital Improvement Plan is not a guarantee that every listed project will be completed on its currently proposed schedule.

Projects outside the immediate year can be moved as priorities, costs and funding change.

Once commissioners approve a project for the first year of the plan, however, staff generally begins moving forward with design, bidding or construction work.

Monday’s discussion gave commissioners an opportunity to begin reshuffling those priorities before the updated Capital Improvement Plan returns for approval.