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The Rundown is prepared by the City of Newton Communications Office to summarize the City Commission meeting and does not represent official Commission minutes.

March 25, 2025 Newton City Commission meeting

City grants more time to Ben Franklin Crafts development

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission approved a request from Ben Franklin Crafts to extend the timeline of their development by one year.

In 2022, the company purchased about 10 acres of land from the City at the northwest corner of East First and Oliver. They intend to build a 40,000-square-foot national distribution center to support their online craft supply store.

The purchase and sale agreement includes reversionary language granting the City the option to repurchase the property at the original sale price if construction does not begin within two years.

In a letter to the Commission, Gary Yoshioka, managing director of Ben Franklin Crafts, said the company is excited about the Newton development and remains a committed partner but needs to extend its timeline due to several factors. The new deadline will be May 2026.

The project represents $2.75 million in capital investment and will create 10 new full-time jobs upon completion, with an estimated 65 within five years.

In other action, the City Commission:

1. Rejected all bids for reconstruction of Runway 8-26 at Newton City/County Airport because they exceeded the engineer’s estimate, and set a new bid date of April 10.
2. Approved the 2026 budget calendar, which kicks off with two public work sessions from 8 a.m.-noon May 14 and 15.
3. Approved a request to rezone property at 723 S. Kansas to R-2 two-family district from R-1 single-family district.
4. Altered the billing schedule for North Newton’s Fire/EMS fees to better accommodate North Newton’s annual budget planning.
5. Adopted revisions to the Commission Policy Manual.
6. Received an update on the City’s strategic plan.
7. Discussed a request to close Main Street for the annual Newton Car Show Friday Night Cruise. The organizers indicated they have revised their plans and will not need a street closure and will proceed with the cruise as usual.
8. Approved a request to close Athletic Park Circle on June 14 for the Cookie Daze 5K.

For more information, please contact Communications Director Erin McDaniel at 316-284-6055 or emcdaniel@newtonkansas.com.