Topeka local news summary
Week of December 20 2025
Committee recommends sales tax increase for housing trust fund
Incentive district advanced for "3D printed" homes
Downtown apartment project seeks incentives
New 42‑lot subdivision approved on 45th Street
Split vote moves California Crossing redevelopment forward
Council splits on bonding for facility maintenance
City bids farewell to outgoing mayor and council member
Councilwoman Valdivia‑Alcala on medical leave
County unveils comprehensive safety action plan for federal funding
Roadway departures identified as top cause of crashes
Safety plan targets Auburn Road and other key corridors
Director seeks state cooperation for dangerous US-75 intersection
Roundabouts expected to reduce fatalities at rural intersections
Pedestrian projects miss cut for federal road safety grant
Commission considers overhaul of open burning regulations
Committee recommends sales tax increase for housing trust fund
TOPEKA, Kan. - The Affordable Housing Trust Fund Review Committee recommended the Topeka governing body implement a 0.1 percent special purpose retailer sales tax. The tax would generate approximately $3.7 million to $3.8 million annually to address homelessness and affordable housing initiatives. City Manager Robert Perez noted that the city intends to issue a Request for Proposals in January 2026 to begin soliciting development projects, while the governing body will consider placing the sales tax question on a future ballot to provide a dedicated revenue source.
Incentive district advanced for "3D printed" homes
TOPEKA, Kan. - The governing body unanimously approved a resolution setting a public hearing to establish a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District for 3D Homes Inc. The developer plans to utilize spin‑cast concrete technology to construct approximately 80 workforce housing units across three non‑contiguous sites, including locations near 22nd and Westport and 29th and Wittenberg. Deputy City Manager Braxton Copley stated that city inspectors are working with the developer to ensure the novel construction method meets all safety and building codes.
Downtown apartment project seeks incentives
TOPEKA, Kan. - The governing body advanced a proposal for Project View District Apartments, a market‑rate apartment complex proposed by F&C Development Inc. for the area between Van Buren and Jackson streets near 6th and 7th avenues. The development proposes 192 dwelling units, including studio, one‑bedroom and two‑bedroom apartments. The governing body unanimously approved a resolution setting a public hearing for Feb. 3 to consider establishing a Reinvestment Housing Incentive District to assist with development costs.
New 42‑lot subdivision approved on 45th Street
TOPEKA, Kan. - The governing body unanimously accepted land dedications and approved the final plat for the Ardmore Walk Addition. The development, located along the north side of Southwest 45th Street west of Burlingame Road, will consist of 42 new residential lots on approximately 25 acres. Planning officials noted this project complements the adjacent Misty Harbor subdivision and aligns with the city's goals to increase housing inventory.
Split vote moves California Crossing redevelopment forward
TOPEKA, Kan. - A resolution to create a Community Improvement District at the California Crossing shopping center, located at 29th Street and California Avenue, passed with an 8‑1 vote. The project, led by developer Deanex, aims to rehabilitate the aging retail center, which recently saw the opening of a new supermarket, Supermercado La Familia. Councilman Spencer Duncan cast the sole opposing vote. The resolution sets a public hearing for Feb. 3 to consider a 1.5 percent add‑on sales tax within the district to fund improvements.
Council splits on bonding for facility maintenance
TOPEKA, Kan. - The governing body voted 7‑2 to approve a resolution for the 2026 Facility Improvements, Repair and Maintenance program, with Councilwoman Karen Hiller and Councilman Spencer Duncan voting in dissent. Hiller argued that the city is violating its own financial policies by bonding small maintenance projects, such as repairs costing under $30,000, rather than paying for them with cash. Duncan agreed, calling for a review of policies to avoid incurring debt for minor repairs, though both noted they supported the projects themselves, just not the financing method.
City bids farewell to outgoing mayor and council member
TOPEKA, Kan. - Monday's meeting marked the final regular session for Mayor Michael Padilla and Councilman Neil Dobler. City Manager Robert Perez and fellow council members honored both officials for their years of service, presenting them with commemorative gifts. Padilla, a former police officer and council member, and Dobler, a former public works director and deputy mayor, were praised for their steady leadership and institutional knowledge.
Councilwoman Valdivia‑Alcala on medical leave
TOPEKA, Kan. - Councilwoman Christina Valdivia‑Alcala will be on medical leave until approximately mid‑February. Deputy Mayor Brett Kell informed District 2 constituents that other council members would be available to address their concerns while Valdivia‑Alcala recovers.
County unveils comprehensive safety action plan for federal funding
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - Public Works Director Curt Niehaus presented the Shawnee County Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, a requisite document for the county to apply for federal "Safe Streets for All" implementation grants. The study analyzed 11 years of crash data on county roads—excluding Topeka city limits and state highways—to identify high-risk areas and trends. Niehaus emphasized that the plan utilizes a "safe system approach," which acknowledges that humans make mistakes and aims to design roads that minimize the severity of crashes.
Roadway departures identified as top cause of crashes
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - Data presented during the safety action plan review revealed that roadway departures are the leading cause of crashes in Shawnee County, followed by intersection-related incidents. Public Works Director Curt Niehaus explained that 90 percent of fixed-object crashes—where vehicles leave the road and strike trees, culverts or utility poles—occur away from intersections. To mitigate these incidents, the county is exploring countermeasures such as installing 6-inch pavement markings, widening shoulders to 2 feet where feasible and improving access management.
Safety plan targets Auburn Road and other key corridors
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - Based on crash data and public input, the safety action plan identified specific infrastructure projects eligible for future federal funding applications. Priority projects include improvements to SW Auburn Road from K-4 to the city of Auburn, NW Rochester Road from NW Menoken Road to NW 46th Street and SW 53rd Street from SW Auburn Road to SW Burlingame Road. Public Works Director Curt Niehaus noted that while public input heavily favored addressing SW Auburn Road, the plan also includes a traffic study for SW Gage Boulevard south of the city limits.
Director seeks state cooperation for dangerous US-75 intersection
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - Discussion regarding the Comprehensive Safety Action Plan highlighted the intersection of US-75 and NW 62nd Street as a high-density crash cluster. District 2 Commissioner Kevin Cook noted frequent constituent concerns regarding the location, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Kansas Department of Transportation. Public Works Director Curt Niehaus confirmed he has submitted a proposal for "High-Risk Rural Road" funds for fiscal year 2028 to address the intersection, emphasizing that any major changes would require a collaborative effort between the county and KDOT.
Roundabouts expected to reduce fatalities at rural intersections
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - During a review of intersection safety, Public Works Director Curt Niehaus projected that the installation of roundabouts, such as the new one at SW 29th Street and SW Auburn Road, will significantly alter crash outcomes. He told commissioners that while roundabouts may not eliminate all collisions, they are designed to convert high-energy, fatal "T-bone" accidents into minor property-damage incidents. The report suggested that as drivers acclimate to the infrastructure, serious injury rates at these converted intersections should drop.
Pedestrian projects miss cut for federal road safety grant
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - Despite community interest in pedestrian safety, particularly regarding sidewalks near the Lake Sherwood community and Farley Elementary School, specific pedestrian projects were not included in the primary recommendations for the "Safe Streets for All" grant application. Public Works Director Curt Niehaus explained that while pedestrian crashes are often fatal, they represent less than 0.5 percent of total crashes in the county's jurisdiction, leading the task force to focus on high-frequency vehicle crash sites. He clarified that while federal funding is available for pedestrian paths, they would likely need to be pursued through different grant programs.
Commission considers overhaul of open burning regulations
SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. - The Board of County Commissioners heard the first reading of Home Rule Resolution HR 2025-4, which proposes repealing and replacing the county's open burning code for unincorporated areas. The resolution would establish a yearly permitting process, require day-of authorization for burns and create formal procedures for implementing burn bans. The regulations would cover general open burning, agricultural and recreational burns and the burning of household trash; a second reading and vote will take place at a later date.
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