The City of Topeka has been selected to receive more than $1.72 million in federal funding for pedestrian and bike-friendly improvements, Governor Laura Kelly announced today.
The City was selected for Transportation Alternatives (TA) funding that would help advance implementation of the major project priorities contained in the Topeka Bikeways Master Plan’s supplemental plan recently approved by the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO) policy
board. The recommendations for these streets will help with the safety and comfort of the bike user and create an alternative mode of transportation.
The projects submitted in the TA application include the following locations:
• SW 5th Street – From Washburn to SE 4th Street
• SW 4th Street/Willow Avenue – From Washburn to Kansas Avenue
• SE Adams Street – From SE 10th Avenue to SE 1st Street
“Currently, the streets that have been selected are designed for vehicular traffic only and pose a safety concern to bicyclists trying to use our streets to get across the city,” said Assistant City Manager Braxton Copley. “These projects will help connect existing and future bikeways to Downtown.”
The City of Topeka’s project was one of 31 Kansas projects selected.
The City of Topeka is giving away free computers to qualifying Topeka and Shawnee County residents who are between the ages of 18 and 59 years old.
The program is part of the city’s digital equity initiative, TSC – Get Digital, that aims to connect Topeka neighbors.
To qualify, residents must reside in the areas of Auburn, Dover, Rossville, Silver Lake, Tecumseh, Topeka or Wakarusa, and receive SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension Benefit Program or have a household income that is less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines. Residents can review the full eligibility guidelines here.
Computers are available on a first come, first served basis. Those interested in receiving a computer must pre-qualify by calling 785-368-3098 by September 27.
“As we are living longer, our world is becoming increasingly digital. Information and communication can enable healthy and active aging by facilitating access to information, health and healthcare, socio-economic participation and other factors that promote full engagement and participation as we age,” said Monique Glaudeˊ, Director of Community Engagement and Interim Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. “Although many adults are frequent users of information and communication technologies, many still lack access, and the pace of digital innovation is yet to be inclusive of their needs.”
To learn more about TSC – Get Digital, visit the city’s website.
The City of Topeka is thrilled to announce a series of dance hall events taking place at
Hotel Topeka this fall, starting with a Halloween costume party followed by two country-themed dance
halls.
The Halloween costume party will feature a DJ, a costume contest, door prizes, and much more. Doors
open to anyone 18 and older, with cash bar available for those 21 and up. Costumes are highly
encouraged, and participants can look forward to winning exciting prizes.
Following the Halloween festivities, the weekend will continue with two Rodeo after-parties on
November 1 and 2. These events will bring live music, door prizes, and a lively atmosphere to Hotel
Topeka, offering attendees the chance to kick up their boots and enjoy two nights of dancing. These
events are also 18 and up, with cash bar available for guests over 21.
Event Details:
• Halloween Costume Party: October 31, 2024
• Rodeo After Party: November 1 & 2, 2024
• Venue: Hotel Topeka, 1717 S. Kansas Ave, Topeka, KS
• Entry: 18 to enter, 21+ to drink
• More Details: DJ, live music, Halloween costume contest, door prizes, and much more!
“We are incredibly excited to showcase Hotel Topeka through these dance hall events,” said City
Manager Dr. Robert Perez. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and
celebrate in one of our city’s premier venues.”
The City of Topeka is actively seeking sponsors for these events. Businesses interested in supporting
these community celebrations can contact citycommunications@topeka.org for more information.
The City of Topeka would like to invite the public to a special event to meet the newly appointed City Manager, Dr. Robert Perez. The event will take place on Thursday, September 26, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at The Tee Box, located at 906 S Kansas Ave Ste 100, Topeka, KS 66612. Snacks will be provided, and the event is held in partnership with the Greater Topeka Partnership.
This is an opportunity for Topeka residents to engage with Dr. Perez and give him a warm welcome to our community. Dr. Perez, who brings a wealth of experience in city management, is eager to meet with community members and discuss his vision for the future of Topeka.
Mayor Mike Padilla expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “This is an exciting opportunity for the people of Topeka to come out and meet Dr. Robert Perez. We are confident that under his leadership, our city will continue to thrive and grow. I encourage everyone to take this chance to connect with Dr. Perez, share your thoughts, and extend a warm welcome to our new City Manager.”
“The Partnership is proud to partner with the City of Topeka in welcoming our new City Manager, Dr. Robert Perez. This open house event at The Tee Box is a fantastic opportunity for our community to come together, get to know Dr. Perez, and experience the warm hospitality that our downtown businesses are known for. We believe in fostering strong relationships between our city’s leadership and the residents, and this event is a perfect way to kick off what we know will be a successful tenure for the City Manager here in Topeka,” said Matt Pivarnik, CEO Greater Topeka Partnership.
We look forward to seeing you at The Tee Box on September 26th. Join us in welcoming Dr. Perez to our community and learn more about his plans for the City of Topeka.
The City of Topeka is pleased to announce the release of the community input gathered during the recent public sessions and open survey as part of the recruitment process for the next Topeka police chief.
To ensure the selection of a police chief who meets the expectations and needs of the community, the city provided multiple avenues for public participation. From July 22, 2024, through August 3, 2024, a community survey was made available in both English and Spanish, collecting a total of 260 responses. In addition to the survey, three public input sessions were hosted in various parts of the community, allowing residents to share their thoughts and priorities directly.
“The community emphasized the need for a police chief who values communication, transparency, and community engagement, with a focus on reducing crime, improving public safety, and addressing mental health and homelessness,” said City Manager Dr. Robert Perez. “We will use this feedback from community members to make sure we find the best candidate for this community.”
This data will help craft the job posting to help attract the best candidates for this position. Please stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks regarding the interview process with candidates.
You can view the police chief input report here: https://bit.ly/policechiefpublicinputreport
Update
As the City of Topeka continues to assess the damage from last week’s storm, crews began limb pickup
operations. These efforts will continue throughout the coming weeks until all parts of Topeka have been
serviced. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to clear debris and restore our
community.
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The City of Topeka has deployed all available resources in response to significant damage and
disruptions caused by Wednesday night’s storm in the River Corridor, Potwin, and Oakland
neighborhoods. Additionally, debris pickup is planned for residents this week.
This storm left multiple streets blocked by fallen trees and downed power lines, resulting in widespread
power outages. Public Works staff, supported by the Utilities Department, began a systematic inspection
of the affected streets Thursday morning. The primary goal for crews was to move debris to the side of
the road to restore access to traffic as quickly as possible.
“We are fully aware of the road closures and the impact on our community. Every available resource is
being utilized to open the streets and ensure the safety of our citizens,” said Assistant City Manager and
Interim Public Works Director Braxton Copley.
In some instances, city crews had to wait for Evergy to clear power lines before proceeding with debris
removal. After the initial debris push, staff will begin the cleanup of rights-of-way and start addressing
Service Call Form (SCF) tickets.
Additionally, the City is mobilizing third party contractors to assist with cleanup. Residents may place
tree and brush debris produced by this storm at the curb. Pickup of that debris began Monday, August
19 at approximately 7 a.m. Contractors will begin pickup efforts in the areas that were hardest hit, and
then spread out to the rest of the city. Crews will only pick up tree and brush. Garbage, damaged
appliances, carpet, furniture, or household goods will not be picked up.
Debris pickup will be done using large grapple trucks. Please place any brush in piles near the back of the
curb in a clear area. Do not place debris near mailboxes, fences, or any other structure or under any
trees or power lines.
The city asks for the community’s patience as we work to clear neighborhood streets.
For updates, please visit the City of Topeka’s official website at www.topeka.org and our social media
channels.
The City of Topeka has deployed all available resources in response to significant damage and disruptions caused by Wednesday night’s storm in the River Corridor, Potwin, and Oakland neighborhoods. Additionally, debris pickup is planned for residents next week.
This storm left multiple streets blocked by fallen trees and downed power lines, resulting in widespread power outages. Public Works staff, supported by the Utilities Department, began a systematic inspection of the affected streets Thursday morning. The primary goal for crews is to move debris to the side of the road to restore access to traffic as quickly as possible.
“We are fully aware of the road closures and the impact on our community. Every available resource is being utilized to open the streets and ensure the safety of our citizens,” said Assistant City Manager and Interim Public Works Director Braxton Copley.
In some instances, city crews must wait for Evergy to clear power lines before proceeding with debris removal. After the initial debris push, staff will begin the cleanup of rights-of-way and start addressing Service Call Form (SCF) tickets.
Additionally, the City is mobilizing third party contractors to assist with cleanup. Residents may place tree and brush debris produced by this storm at the curb. Pickup of that debris will begin Monday, August 19 at approximately 7 a.m. Contractors will begin pickup efforts in the areas that were hardest hit, and then spread out to the rest of the city. Crews will only pick up tree and brush. Garbage, damaged appliances, carpet, furniture, or household goods will not be picked up.
Debris pickup will be done using large grapple trucks. Please place any brush in piles near the back of the curb in a clear area. Do not place debris near mailboxes, fences, or any other structure or under any trees or power lines.
The city asks for the community’s patience as we work to clear neighborhood streets.
For updates, please visit the City of Topeka’s official website at www.topeka.org and our social media channels.
The City of Topeka has appointed Braxton Copley as assistant city manager. Copley, who most-recently served as the director of public works, brings more than 19 years of service to the city.
Copley’s leadership in the Public Works Department has been instrumental in advancing the city’s infrastructure. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. He also has numerous nationally recognized technical certifications.
“Braxton has done an incredible job as the director of public works, and we are confident he will excel in his new role as assistant city manager,” said Topeka City Manager Dr. Robert Perez.
In his new role, Copley will oversee infrastructure and development departments. He will also serve as interim public works director while the city searches for his replacement. The city still plans to hire a deputy city manager.
The City of Topeka looks forward to Copley’s continued contributions in his new position.
This month the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO), in coordination with the City of Topeka, is kicking off the planning process for the Update of the City’s 2016 Pedestrian Plan. The plan’s goal is to continue creating safe and connected walkways between schools, parks, shopping districts, workplaces, and other popular destinations. Anyone interested in the walkability and connectivity of Topeka is encouraged to attend this open house from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, August 21, at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, 1515 SW 10th Ave.
City staff and project professionals from JEO Consulting Group will present the open house. Displays will include areas of demand from 2016, improvements since then, improvements planned with RAISE grant funding, neighborhood health data, vehicle ownership data, usage by modality, crash data, and safe school routes. Participants will identify necessary improvements for walkability in their neighborhoods and around Topeka, such as locations for improved street crossings and sidewalk infrastructure.
A survey will gather data on factors that impact sidewalk utilization and responses will be weighted with objective condition data and socioeconomic and trip data to prioritize overall recommendations for sidewalk improvements. For those who cannot attend the open house, an online survey and mapping tool are available on the project website at https://arcg.is/0WeH9X and will remain open through September 4. The input gathered will inform the initial draft of the Topeka Pedestrian Plan Update. A second open house will occur later in 2024 to discuss the draft plan with the community.
This plan is just one piece of a more considerable effort to improve the quality of life through of vibrant neighborhoods and better transportation choices for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists.
For more information, visit the MTPO website at https://topekampo.org/pedestrian-master-plan/ or contact the City of Topeka Planning Department at (785) 368-3728
