Commission approves tax exemption for Reser's Fine Foods expansion

Link Innovation Labs opens downtown

Commission approves $4 million in vouchers, including turf and bridge payments

County allocates $80,000 for fire suppression at corrections building

TARC reports record-breaking Winter Wonderland event

New council member to be seated next week

Officials condemn "doxxing" of city staff

Affordable housing trust fund opens for proposals

Incentives assigned for new QuikTrip location

Wheatfield Village development agreement transferred

Council approves $5 million for street repairs

TPAC reports deficit, plans for naming rights

"Topeka Way to Work" teen program set to launch

Commission approves tax exemption for Reser's Fine Foods expansion

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Shawnee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution granting a 10-year, 100 percent property tax exemption to Reser's Fine Foods to facilitate a 90,000-square-foot warehouse expansion at 3728 S.E. Sixth St. While the company will continue to pay taxes on the land and school capital outlay during the exemption period spanning 2027 through 2036, company representatives indicated the project is expected to create 30 new jobs within three years and add 26 loading docks to alleviate traffic congestion at the Deer Creek Valley facility.

Link Innovation Labs opens downtown

TOPEKA, Kan. - County officials highlighted the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for Link Innovation Labs, a newly operational facility in downtown Topeka designed to foster entrepreneurship. The site has secured several renters, including Washburn University, marking a step forward in the county's broader economic development and downtown revitalization efforts.

Commission approves $4 million in vouchers, including turf and bridge payments

TOPEKA, Kan. - The commission approved voucher payments totaling $4,090,244.91, which included a $358,800 progress payment to Mammoth Sports Construction for turf replacement at the Bettis Sports Complex and a $120,982 payment to King Construction Company, Inc. for bridge replacement work on S.W. Jordan Road. In addition to these infrastructure costs paid from capital outlay and Parks For All Foundation funds, the board authorized a $98,233 payment to the Joint Economic Development Organization and allocated $817,728 to holding accounts for the state of Kansas.

County allocates $80,000 for fire suppression at corrections building

TOPEKA, Kan. - Commissioners authorized the Shawnee County Department of Corrections to issue a request for proposals for an estimated $80,000 project to connect an inmate work crew building to the city water system. Deputy Director Tim Phelps stated that the building, which is transitioning from storage use to housing work crews, requires the excavation and water line connection to make the existing fire sprinkler system operational and compliant with fire codes using fiscal year 2026 contingency funds.

TARC reports record-breaking Winter Wonderland event

TOPEKA, Kan. - Mandy Wells, development director at TARC, reported that the 28th annual Winter Wonderland holiday light display was the organization's most successful to date, raising more than $236,000 and hosting 8,788 vehicles. Wells credited the $15,000 year-over-year increase to favorable weather, the 1,300 service hours provided by more than 420 volunteers, and extensive support from the Shawnee County Parks and Recreation Department.

New council member to be seated next week

TOPEKA, Kan. - The City Clerk's office announced that Murray McGee will be sworn in at the Feb. 17 meeting to represent District 8. McGee was selected to fill the seat which has been vacant for several months. Current council members expressed well-wishes to the incoming representative, noting the body looks forward to having a full nine-member council again.

Officials condemn "doxxing" of city staff

TOPEKA, Kan. - City leaders condemned recent incidents where the personal information of nonelected city staff members was posted on social media, a practice known as "doxxing." A council member noted that while public officials expect scrutiny, utilizing home addresses and personal phone numbers to facilitate harassment of administrative employees crosses a line. A request was made for the legal department to investigate if any protections could be enacted to prevent the harassment of city employees who are not public officials.

Affordable housing trust fund opens for proposals

TOPEKA, Kan. - City Manager Robert Perez announced the release of a request for proposals for the city's Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The application window will remain open through March 31 for organizations seeking funding for housing projects. Perez thanked the trust fund committee for reaching this milestone, noting that pre-submittal meetings will be available to assist interested applicants.

Incentives assigned for new QuikTrip location

TOPEKA, Kan. - The governing body approved a partial assignment of a development agreement for the Sunflower Crossing project, allowing QuikTrip Corp. to receive up to $532,000 in community improvement district sales tax proceeds. The agreement transfers a portion of the incentives originally granted to developer BHI Development Inc. to the convenience store chain to support the construction of a new location. Assistant City Manager Braxton Copley noted this assignment was an anticipated condition of the land sale between the developer and QuikTrip.

Wheatfield Village development agreement transferred

TOPEKA, Kan. - The council authorized a partial assignment of the development agreement for the Wheatfield Village shopping center to a new purchaser, transferring the obligation to complete phase two of the project. The new owners will be responsible for constructing approximately 21,000 square feet of retail space, including locations for Skechers and Rally House. During public comment, concerns were raised regarding the new entity's registration status with the Kansas secretary of state, though the council voted 8-0 to approve the transfer.

Council approves $5 million for street repairs

TOPEKA, Kan. - The governing body voted unanimously to approve $5 million in funding for the 2026 pavement management program, targeting six specific street projects for mill and overlay work. The item was removed from the consent agenda by a council member who questioned the longevity of mill and overlay repairs on major thoroughfares like 10th Street. Public works officials explained that the funding is intended to "catch up" on street deterioration that occurred during a spending pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the proposed repairs expected to last seven to 10 years.

TPAC reports deficit, plans for naming rights

TOPEKA, Kan. - Topeka Performing Arts Center Executive Director Daniel Kays presented a financial report to the governing body revealing a larger-than-expected deficit for the previous fiscal year, attributing the shortfall to the loss of promoter-led events. Kays outlined a strategy to improve the venue's financial footing, which includes a goal of securing a venue naming rights contract by 2027 and shifting toward direct bookings—such as the Alice Cooper concert scheduled for April 17—to increase revenue margins. The report also highlighted a goal to increase annual fundraising to net $100,000.

"Topeka Way to Work" teen program set to launch

TOPEKA, Kan. - City officials are preparing to launch the "Topeka Way to Work" program, a paid six-week summer employment initiative for teens ages 14 to 16. City Manager Robert Perez announced that the program is finalizing details and will host an information session for prospective host businesses next month. The program aims to provide local youth with job opportunities at various organizations across the city.

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