Topeka City Council OKs millions in capital improvement projects. Here's what's new.
From hotel maintenance to fixing shattered stairs, the city of Topeka has mapped out an array of capital improvements for the next 10 years.
City council members unanimously approved the newest Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for 2025-2034. Mayor Michael Padilla wasn't in attendance to vote.
The CIP program is used as a planning tool for approximately 10 years at a time. Presentations for the CIP began March 5 and includes a multitude of funding sources. Some include general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, federal funds and the information technology fund.
Elevation Parkway
Elevation Parkway was a project approved in June 2023 and had support from a unanimous city council. The project would have built a bridge to reduce the commute of Lake Sherwood residents.
District 8 Councilman Spencer Dobler requested the $15,726,121 of funding that had been set aside for it be moved, saying property owners that would have been affected didn't appear interested. The project could still be completed if it is brought back for city approval down the road.
Some of the money was shifted to the light-duty fleet garage project in March, a $5.575 million project to replace the current building that will be razed to make way for a project to rebuild and realign downtown's Polk-Quincy Viaduct.
Other money was shifted to the 2025 Water Main Replacement Program, increasing it from $10,359,580 to $12,151,580, and the 2025 Wastewater Lining and Replacement Program, increasing it from $1,120,000 to $2,492,941.
Hotel Topeka
Hotel Topeka was purchased in the summer of last year and then transferred over in mid-October to the Topeka Development Corporation. The city bid $7.6 million on the hotel. In February, the city had "largely exhausted" the $500,000 it set aside for the hotel in October 2023.
Currently, the asset is in its first year of using temporary notes. The city is using temporary notes pending governing body actions.
The CIP lays out the use of $9,374,000 in bonds during 2025 for construction, financing costs and issuance.
District 4 Councilman David Banks asked for the hotel improvements to be voted separately from the rest of the CIP. His amendment didn't pass and the bond funds were included with the rest of the CIP.
City government and administration have said the hotel won't stay in the city's possession and the goal is to sell the property once renovated. This gives the city control over who the next owner will be.
Topeka Performing Arts Center
Improvements for the Topeka Performing Arts Center weren't included on the original CIP.
Duncan asked for funding for the Topeka Performing Arts Center to be included, requesting TPAC receive $325,000 a year.
"As I always like to remind people like a broke record, we do own the building," Duncan said. "It's the only building we own that is not outlined in the CIP. I'm not just TPAC focused. I know it seems like that when we get into these conversations, I view it just like all the other properties we hold on to. It's an asset and it's an economic driver for downtown Topeka.
"So, I feel some responsibility to keep it an asset and an economic driver for downtown."
District 3 Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz said if TPAC improvements are added to the CIP, she'd like to see the outside steps fixed because they are falling apart and are poorly lit.
The amendment passed 8-1. District 1 Councilwoman Karen Hiller voted against added TPAC improvements to the CIP.
Hiller said if they amend and add other projects like TPAC improvements, they need to figure out where the money is coming from because city staff has already taken the time to balance the CIP budget.
"At this time, I am concerned that adding money at this last minute without the full business background is not responsible," Hiller said.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Here are Topeka's biggest changes to its capital improvement projects
