The Topeka Landmarks Commission in partnership with the City of Topeka’s Planning Division will begin a process in January to survey the city’s historical African American places.
This project will focus on documenting buildings, districts, sites and structures that are significant to the development and history of African American life and culture within the City of Topeka.
While previous city surveys focused on neighborhoods such as Old Town and Tennessee Town, this survey aims to take a holistic approach, covering all city locations and time periods significant to Topeka’s African American history.
Additionally, a goal of the survey is to identify and designate at least two locations to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
“What defines a community is its history and the people who live there,” said Dan Warner, the city’s Planning Division Director. “Through this survey, we hope to increase community awareness and appreciation for the places in our community that have made an impact on Topeka’s African American history.”
The city, commission and project partners are hosting a public meeting where community members can learn about the survey process and provide input. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library in room 114. The library is located at 1515 SW 10th Ave.
Additional partners for the project include the city’s consultant Impact7G, the Kansas Historical Society and the National Park Service.
The survey and cataloging process is expected to continue through most of 2023.
City Manager Stephen Wade announced Monday that Ernestor De La Rosa was selected to serve as the City of Topeka’s very first Chief Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. De La Rosa will start in January 2023 and will lead the city’s newly created DEI office.
“I’m thrilled that Ernestor will be our first Chief DEI Officer. This role will truly impact lives in our community, and affect local government policies,” said Wade. “It’s extremely important that we ensure a work environment and community where all have an opportunity to succeed. Ernestor is up to the task, and I look forward to welcoming him to Topeka, and supporting his work for years to come.”
“The idea of DEI has been talked about, and in many ways initiated in America, but for Topeka, this is the first official step by our local government to place DEI at the forefront of all we do. This speaks volumes about the Governing Body and its willingness to embrace the many possibilities active DEI can bring to the City of Topeka,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla. “Ernestor has a strong background in practicing DEI as a government official. I’m excited that he will bring those experiences to Topeka, and help us grow as a community.”
De La Rosa comes to Topeka from the City of Dodge City, KS, where he’s served a variety of roles over the last eight years, including Assistant City Manager, Human Resources Director, Assistant Finance Director, Mobility Manager, and more. He holds a Masters in Public Administration from Wichita State University, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Fort Hays State University.
De La Rosa, who’s first language is Spanish, was born and raised in Mexico, and immigrated to the United States at 12. He’s a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient, and is passionate about working in the immigration realm. He’s served on various community boards.
“I am honored and excited to join the City of Topeka. I look forward to working with the Governing Body, city staff and Topeka residents to develop, adopt and implement proactive diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging strategies in all aspects of the city,” said De La Rosa. “I commend city leadership’s commitment to building a robust diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce and community. Topeka is stronger together.”
De La Rosa will also serve as the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator, where he will work alongside the ADA Advisory Council to make Topeka a safer, more accessible community.
Additionally, Wade announced that Topeka Police Lieutenant Manuel Munoz is serving a special assignment as the city’s Deputy Director of DEI. Munoz, who also immigrated from Mexico, has served the Topeka community as a police officer for more than 30 years. Munoz will continue serving as TPD’s Public Information Officer.
Both De La Rosa and Munoz will be housed out of City Hall. Additional information on how to connect with the city’s DEI office will come out early 2023.
Beginning Monday, December 5, Topeka’s Municipal Court will be implementing a face mask requirement for all employees and visitors of the court.
The policy is being implemented to ensure the court can remain open, and serve its function of carrying out the administration of justice.
Influenza, RSV, and other viruses are currently being monitored by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Earlier this month, Stormont Vail Health reported community transmission of COVID-19 was steadily increasing, and considered to be at the “high” level.
Mask-wearing is currently optional for all other City of Topeka buildings. The city encourages social distancing, regular handwashing, and other practices.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) will alternate closure of westbound and eastbound lanes on I-70 through downtown Topeka on Dec. 3 and 4, weather permitting. Each direction of I-70 will close for a single day – primarily during daylight hours – beginning at 5 a.m. until work is complete.
During the closures, pavement patching will be completed in the driving lanes. Permanent striping and signage will also be installed that will serve until the new Polk-Quincy Viaduct is constructed.
Motorists should plan for the following:
- Saturday, Dec. 3 – Eastbound I-70 from Topeka Boulevard to S.E. 8th Street will close to all traffic at approximately 5 a.m. The 1st Street exit will be the last open ramp for eastbound motorists. Eastbound I-70 through traffic will follow signed detours and be routed south to I-470, or north to U.S. 75 to U.S. 24 to K-4. Or, drivers can use the local street detour – 1st Street to Topeka Boulevard to 6th Street to Monroe Street to the 8th Street I-70 on-ramp. Westbound I-70 will remain open, but still reduced to one lane. Temporary changes to the local detour will occur in the morning. Please follow the marked routes.
- Sunday, Dec. 4 – Westbound I-70 from S.E. 8th Street to Topeka Boulevard will close to all traffic at approximately 5 a.m. The 8th Street exit will be the last open ramp for westbound motorists. Westbound I-70 through traffic will follow signed detours and be routed south to I-470, or north to K-4 to U.S. 24 to U.S. 75. Or, drivers can use the local street detour – Madison Avenue to 6th Street to Topeka Boulevard to the 1st Street I-70 on-ramp. Eastbound I-70 will remain open, but still reduced to one lane.
The westbound 4th Street exit and eastbound 3rd Street exit from I-70 are also scheduled to reopen on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Both directions of I-70 will stay reduced to one lane until construction of the new Polk-Quincy Viaduct is complete. Westbound I-70 will be reduced from S.E. Adams Street to Topeka Boulevard, and eastbound from the 1st Street exit to S.E. 8th Street. The Polk-Quincy Viaduct project is scheduled to begin in early 2025.
Work on the current multi-bridge repair project will continue until late December, weather permitting. Eastbound I-70’s current lane reduction through S.E. Adams Street will remain until the project stops for the winter.
KDOT urges all motorists to be alert and obey the warning signs when approaching and driving through a highway work zone. For information about road construction projects across Kansas, go to www.kandrive.org or call 5-1-1.
La ciudad de Topeka y los socios comunitarios lanzaron el martes un nuevo programa que tiene como objetivo crear un enfoque comunitario más colaborativo para garantizar la equidad y el acceso a la vivienda y el refugio en Topeka.
El programa, conocido como Equity Access Shelter (E.A.S.), mejorará los servicios para personas sin hogar para garantizar que todas las personas reciban asistencia para el alquiler con un único punto de acceso. EAS está ubicado dentro de la División de Servicios de Vivienda de la Ciudad.
“Una persona que necesita asistencia para el alquiler ya no tiene que llamar a varias agencias para tratar de obtener ayuda. Un número de teléfono significa que las personas pueden acceder a la ayuda rápidamente y sin más traumas,” dijo Carrie Higgins, administradora sénior del programa de la ciudad de Topeka. “E.A.S. utiliza una evaluación para calificar el nivel de necesidad de cada individuo, así como la entrada coordinada para ayudar a esos individuos en función de la priorización.”
Los socios de E.A.S. incluyen Catholic Charities, Community Action, Doorstep, Let’s Help, Salvation Army, Topeka Housing Authority, Topeka Rescue Mission y Valeo.
El programa fue iniciado por la concejala de la ciudad de Topeka, Christina Valdivia-Alcala, e inspirado por el primer modelo de vivienda y el movimiento nacional Construido para Cero.
“El programa E.A.S. es necesario en Topeka ahora. El personal ha estado trabajando arduamente en la iniciativa durante un año. Los habitantes de Topeka están listos para obtener más información para que puedan tener fe en que la ciudad está haciendo todo lo posible para abordar la crisis crónica de personas sin hogar y, sobre todo, sin hogar que estamos experimentando. Equidad. Acceso. Refugio., se basa en un modelo similar a Built for Zero, y es crucial que todas las organizaciones que se asocian con la ciudad entiendan que es posible una reducción real y duradera de la falta de vivienda trabajando en conjunto con el punto único de entrada y la importancia vital de datos consistentes, seguimiento y compartir información para ayudar a que este programa sea un éxito,” dijo la concejal Valdivia-Alcala.
E.A.S. tiene un miembro del personal dedicado con años de experiencia en trabajo sociales en Topeka. El objetivo es que el programa se amplíe en el futuro para incluir ropa, alimentos y otros servicios.
Para comunicarse con E.A.S. y solicitar asistencia con el alquiler, llame al 785-368-9533 o envíe un correo electrónico eas@topeka.org. Los visitantes sin cita previa también son bienvenidos en el edificio Holliday de la ciudad, que está ubicado en 620 SE Madison Ave.
The City of Topeka and community partners on Tuesday launched a new program that aims to create a more collaborative community approach to ensuring equity and access to housing and shelter in Topeka.
The program, known as Equity Access Shelter (E.A.S.), will enhance homeless services to ensure all people receive rent assistance with a single point of access. E.A.S. is located within the City’s Housing Services Division.
“No longer does a person needing rent assistance have to call multiple agencies to try to get help. One phone number means individuals are able to access help quickly, and without further trauma,” said Carrie Higgins, Senior Program Administrator for the City of Topeka. “E.A.S. uses an assessment to score each individual’s level of need, as well as coordinated entry to assist those individuals based on prioritization.”
E.A.S. partners include Catholic Charities, Community Action, Community Resources Council, Doorstep, Let’s Help, Salvation Army, Topeka Housing Authority, Topeka Rescue Mission, and Valeo.
The program was initiated by Topeka City Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala, and inspired by the housing first model and the national Built for Zero movement.
“The E.A.S. program is needed in Topeka now. Staff has been working hard on the initiative for a year. Topekans are ready to learn more so they can have faith the city is doing all possible to address the chronic unsheltered and over all homeless crisis we are experiencing. Equity. Access. Shelter., is based on a model similar to Built for Zero, and it’s crucial all organizations that partner with the city understand real and lasting reduction in homelessness is possible working together with the single point of entry and the vital importance of consistent data, tracking and sharing information to help make this program a success,” said Councilwoman Valdivia-Alcala.
E.A.S. has a dedicated staff member with years of social work experience in Topeka. The goal is for the program to expand in the future to include clothing, food, and other services.
To contact E.A.S. to request rental assistance, please call 785-368-9533, or email EAS@topeka.org. Walk-ins are also welcome at the City’s Holliday Building, which is located at 620 SE Madison Ave.
The City of Topeka’s Chief of Staff, Bill Cochran, announced Thursday that he’s retiring from the City early December.
“After a combined 35 years of service to the City of Topeka, I will be retiring from the city come December 2nd,” said Cochran. “With a new City Manager on board, I’m excited to be able to close my chapter with the city, and to be able to spend more time with my grandkids and family.”
“Bill is a dedicated public servant who served the Topeka community well for the last 35 years,” said Topeka City Manager Stephen Wade. “Bill stepped up and led our City in times of need, and he deserves this retirement and to be able to spend more time with family. I wish him well in all his future endeavors.”
Cochran’s retirement date is Friday, December 2, 2022. He had been serving as Topeka’s Chief of Staff since February 2021.
Wade does not plan to hire a new Chief of Staff.
The City of Topeka announced Monday that two internal candidates have been named the Public Works and Utilities directors, two key leadership positions within the City government.
Braxton Copley, who had been serving as the Utilities Director and Interim Public Works Director, has been named the Public Works Director. Copley is a dedicated leader who’s served the citizens of Topeka in various roles for a combined 17 plus years. Copley has a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. Copley has numerous technical certifications that are nationally recognized in the field.
“Braxton’s dedication to the City of Topeka throughout his career has been remarkable to watch,” said Stephen Wade, Topeka’s City Manager. “His responsiveness to our constituents promotes excellence in customer service. I believe his talents and vision will be a great asset to the Public Works Department as we work to better our roads, improve our infrastructure, and make the City more efficient. I couldn’t be more pleased to have Braxton lead this great team at the City.”
Sylvia Davis, who had been serving as a Deputy Director in the Utilities department, has been named the Utilities Director. Davis has worked for the City for 18 years. Davis has a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. Davis is also a Certified Public Manager. In September, Davis received a national leadership award from the Utility 2030 Collaborative.
“Sylvia’s recent national award demonstrates how highly thought of she is. Her people skills and passion for developing talent sets an example for us all. Sylvia has led our internal leadership training classes for years, and I believe she will build upon the excellent work of the two previous Utilities directors, Bob Sample and Braxton Copley. The Utilities team is in great hands with Sylvia,” said Wade.
Wade also stated that he felt it was important to fill both roles with the right people and in a timely manner as the City embarks on its annual capital budgeting process. He said both Copley and Davis will work to lead a focused team effort to prepare a quality plan for Topeka Governing Body consideration.
Copley and Davis assumed their roles Monday morning.
An armed suspect is deceased following an officer-involved shooting early Thursday morning in South Topeka.
On October 13, at around 12:40 a.m. officers from the Topeka Police Department (TPD) responded to a home in the 4800 block of SW Topeka Blvd. on reports of a violent domestic incident. Information indicated that a suspect, who is known to the victim, was trying to break into the victim’s home. The suspect made entry, and barricaded himself inside the house.
A short time later, the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, and officers quickly located him at the Kwik Shop at 4500 SW Topeka Blvd.
While at the Kwik Shop, the suspect, armed with a knife, attempted to steal a different vehicle, occupied by two adult females and a child. Multiple officers fired at the suspect. All involved officers and bystanders are uninjured. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel.
TPD requested the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to investigate this incident. All involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard protocol.
The deceased individual is an adult male. The individual will not be identified until next of kin notifications have been made.
This is preliminary information, and additional updates are expected to come from the KBI.
The City of Topeka announced Thursday that it hired Rhiannon Friedman to serve as the City’s new Director of Development and Economic Growth. Friedman will transition from her current role as the President of Downtown Topeka, Inc., to the City later this fall, at a date to be determined.
The position, which will be housed within the City’s Planning and Development Department, is the first of its kind at the City. The role aims to make Topeka more development efficient, with equity at the core. Friedman’s work will focus on affordable housing expansion, incentive packages available to builders and developers, as well as increased communication in these areas.
Friedman has served as the President of Downtown Topeka, Inc. for the last two years. Her resume includes key positions at GO Topeka, a PR organization in Texas, the State of Kansas, and more. Friedman has a bachelor’s in political science and government from K-State. Earlier this year, she was selected as a 2022 International Downtown Association Fellow, becoming one of only 30 professionals to participate in the national program.
“I’m thrilled that Rhiannon will join the Topeka team later this fall. Rhiannon is a proven leader, who’s developed professional relationships with many of Topeka’s builders and developers. I know she will make the City more efficient in all economic development areas. What I want people to know is that this is a cooperative strategy to collectively better our community, and that it’s not a duplication of services, but rather a compliment of services. I’m excited that the City is able to expand upon its cherished partnership with the GTP, and I’m grateful that Matt and I both see this as a collective victory,” said Stephen Wade, Topeka’s City Manager.
“I’m extremely grateful for my time with the Greater Topeka Partnership over the last few years. Thanks to leadership from Matt and so many others, the experience allowed me to develop many strong relationships within our community. In this new role with the city, I look forward to driving new development and redevelopment that builds on the momentum we’re seeing. The innovation with this role is exciting, because it allows the city and the GTP to partner together even more, as we work to collectively better the community,” said Friedman, Director of Development and Economic Growth.
“Rhiannon has been outstanding to Topeka in so many ways and we will reap the benefits from her contributions for decades. Losing someone like her might normally seem like a nightmare but knowing she will be on Team Topeka with our partner at the City makes it more like a dream. I applaud Steve Wade for his vision in this hire and look forward to working hand in hand with Rhiannon and Steve going forward as we continue our momentum,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership.