Press Releases

City of Topeka crews and contractors worked 12-hour shifts on Monday cleaning up storm debris in the northern and central portions of Topeka, including the Oakland and Potwin neighborhoods. Storm debris clean-up will continue on Tuesday and throughout the rest of the week.

The city has received questions about when city residents can expect storm debris to be picked up from their curbs. While the city is unable to provide an exact pickup schedule, it aims to provide citizens with additional details related to this service that is being provided at no charge to the city resident.

• The city and its contractors have several crews working their way through the city.
• The city’s intent is to do two passes city-wide.
• The city anticipates the first pass will continue through Saturday, with the second pass beginning on Monday, July 24.
• After the second pass is complete, the city will complete its storm debris clean up.
• City residents who would like to have storm debris picked up are asked to place it on the curb as soon as possible, but no later than Monday morning, July 24.

The city will only pick up vegetative debris, such as limbs, leaves and trunks of trees, caused by the storm. Residents will be responsible for taking the debris down to the back of curb. Debris must be stacked up away from trees, power lines, mail boxes, gas meters, hydrants and other obstructions to allow the grapple trucks to pick the material up. Crews will not pick up trash, tires, construction debris or any item other than vegetative debris.

To report any areas of immediate concern, such as tree limbs or branches blocking the roadway, residents are asked to please call 785-368-3111.

 

The City of Topeka’s storm debris clean-up efforts are continuing city-wide.

City crews and contractors are working on making their first pass across Topeka this week, and will make their second pass city-wide upon completion of the first pass.

While crews and contactors are hard at work cleaning up vegetative debris as quickly and safely as possible, they want to share a few important reminders with citizens.

• Please do not park vehicles in front of debris piles. Blocking debris piles causes challenges for equipment and personnel, and delays their ability to remove debris.
• The city is not charging citizens to pick up vegetative debris at the curb. This is a free service and the city and its contractors will not ask for payment to haul limbs.
• The Kansas Attorney General’s Office issued a consumer alert on July 19, 2023, urging residents in areas damaged by recent storms to use caution and avoid scams by transient roofing contractors.
• In order to provide tree trimming services within city limits, a person must obtain a Tree, Shrub, and Vine Service License, which requires a Commercial Tree Permit from the City of Topeka’s Forestry Division, along with meeting insurance requirements. To find out if a person or business is licensed to do business in the City of Topeka, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 785-368-3941 or email cclerk@topeka.org.

The city will only pick up vegetative debris, such as limbs, leaves and trunks of trees, caused by the storm. Residents will be responsible for taking the debris down to the back of curb. Debris must be stacked up away from trees, power lines, mail boxes, gas meters, hydrants and other obstructions to allow the grapple trucks to pick the material up. Crews will not pick up trash, tires, construction debris or any item other than vegetative debris.

To report any areas of immediate concern, such as tree limbs or branches blocking the roadway, residents are asked to please call 785-368-3111.

 

At the end of business on Friday, the City of Topeka will release its contractors following two-full weeks of vegetative storm debris clean-up.

City crews and contractors on Friday are expected to finish their first pass throughout the city, with many areas having already received a second pass. To date, nearly 30,000 cubic yards by volume of vegetative debris have been collected.

During the week of Monday, July 31, city crews will be picking up any remaining debris. The city’s storm debris removal efforts are expected to conclude within the next two weeks.

City residents who still have debris on their curbs are asked to please call the city’s Customer Service Center at 785-368-3111 and request to speak to a Customer Service Representative (Press option 0). Customer service representatives will be inputting information into an internal tracking system in order to ensure all storm debris is picked up.

The city would like to thank its residents for their patience during this process. The city extends its appreciation to the contractors who assisted with these efforts.

 

TOPEKA, Kan. –The Topeka Fire Department responded to a possible structure fire located at 1021 NE Jefferson St. Topeka, Kansas shortly before 08:00 AM on Sunday March 04, 2018.  Upon arrival, fire crews found heavy fire coming the first floor of the dwelling.  One (1) occupant of the structure was able to be rescued from the interior by a roommate, prior to Fire Department arrival.  This occupant sustained life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The other occupant was also transported for evaluation of smoke inhalation injuries.

A primary search for other occupants was conducted and the dwelling found to be empty.  The fire was extinguished keeping it contained to the structure of fire origin, but not before the dwelling sustained substantial damage.

A Topeka Fire Department Investigation’s Unit responded to this incident to assist in determining the origin and cause for the fire.  The following is a brief summary;

• Preliminary investigation indicates the cause of the fire as Undetermined; more likely than not accidental associated with a failure/malfunction of a wood burning stove.
• Estimated dollar loss – $6,600 (Six Thousand and Six Hundred Dollars); $5,600 to the structure and $1,000 to contents.
• The initial response to this fire involved Three (3) Engine Companies, Two (2) Truck Companies, Two (2) Battalion Chiefs and an Investigator.
• Other agencies assisting with this incident include American Medical Response, Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
• Smoke alarms were present not within the structure.

TOPEKA, Kan. –The Topeka Fire Department Responded to a structure fire located at 1112 SW Woodward Ave., Topeka Kansas at 11:45 AM on Sunday April 1, 2017.  Upon arrival, fire crews found the two story wood framed residential structure with smoke showing from the second story. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack, keeping it confined to the structure of fire origin. Five occupants were out of the structure when firefighters arrived. A primary search of the structure revealed there were no other occupants.

A Topeka Fire Department Investigation’s Unit responded to this incident to determine the origin and cause for the fire.  The following is a brief summary;

• Preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, associated with a juvenile playing with a lighter.
• Estimated dollar loss – $12,000.00 (Twelve Thousand Dollars); $10,000.00 (Ten Thousand Dollars) structural loss and $2,000.00 (Two Thousand Dollars) contents loss.
• The initial response to this fire involved Three (3) Engine Companies, One (1) Truck Company, One (1) Aerial Ladder Company, One (1) Battalion Chief, One (1) Shift Commander and an Investigator.
• Assisting agencies at this incident included the Topeka Police Department, Kansas Gas Service, Westar Energy and the Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross.
• No working smoke detectors were located within the structure.

For Immediate Release
November 12, 2017

2015 SW Fillmore Ave. Structure Fire Incident

TOPEKA, Kan. –The Topeka Fire Department Responded to a structure fire located at 2015 SW Fillmore Ave., Topeka Kansas just before 01:00 AM on Sunday November 12, 2017. Upon arrival, fire crews found the single story wood framed residential structure with heavy smoke and flames showing from the rear. Firefighters began an offensive fire attack and protected the surrounding structures. Shortly thereafter firefighters switched to a defensive fire attack. This was due in part to rapid fire progression and weakening structural integrity. Prior to moving to a defensive fire attack, firefighters performed a search of the structure and found no occupants.

A Topeka Fire Department Investigation’s Unit responded to this incident to determine the origin and cause for the fire. The following is a brief summary;

• Preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be Undetermined, pending further investigation.
• Estimated dollar loss – $25,000 (Twenty Five Thousand Dollars); All loss is associated with structure only.
• The initial response to this fire involved Three (3) Engine Companies, Two (2) Truck Companies, One (1) Battalion Chief, One (1) Shift Commander and an Investigator.
• Assisting agencies at this incident included the Topeka Police Department, Kansas Gas Service, and Westar Energy.

Any individuals with information about the circumstances of this fire are being asked to please contact Crime Stoppers at (785)234-0007 or Toll Free at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477).

The City of Topeka is kicking off road construction projects for the summer of 2018. These projects are essential to restore roads in Topeka and to maintain them in order to keep roads in good shape for as long as possible.

“The streets in Topeka are improving and we are committed to keeping streets in Topeka in the best shape possible,” said Public Works Director Jason Peek. “The city is using new and innovative techniques to extend the life of our roads and keep them in the best shape possible while also replacing the streets that need the most work.”

The Public Works Department has been hard at work putting the city’s half cent sales tax to good use by improving streets all over the city. Two years ago, the city embarked on a new pavement management program heavy on analytics and effective processes.

The first step was to gather data. In the fall of 2016, the city hired an independent firm to gauge the condition or our streets from 0 (the worst) to 100 (the best). Poor condition pavement ranks between 0-54; Fair between 55-70, and Good between 70-100.The most effective investment for Poor condition pavement is complete reconstruction; Fair condition, major to minor rehabilitation; and Good, regular preventive maintenance.

The second step was to review various street maintenance methods and determine which ones were effective, which ones could be improve, and which ones may be missing. Following eight years of improvements, it was determine that a new method was needed to keep the good streets good. As a result the city started a micro-surfacing program that preserves the streets and keeps them in good condition for longer. Streets that are in good, satisfactory or fair condition, but not yet a candidate for a mill and overlay or replacement, are treated with micro-surfacing.

Together, micro-surfacing, the combination of crack-sealing and micro-sealing, are a cost-effective way to “keep our good roads good”. The process takes a lot less time at a much lower cost than the more extensive mill and overlay project. The City plans to micro-seal approximately 83 lane-miles this spring/summer. The same roads were crack-sealed in the fall. This fall and winter, the City plans to crack-seal between 40 and 50 lane miles of street followed in the spring of 2019 with more micro-surfacing.

Several major projects are in the works including mill and overlay and replacements of streets and intersections. Those projects can be found below.

Street crews will be working hard all summer to build the best roads for Topeka so please keep these safe driving tips in mind during construction season:
 Be alert and watch for workers.
 Be prepared to stop when necessary.
 Follow all traffic control.
 Don’t take shortcuts through private property.
 Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
 Don’t tailgate.

Major road project details can be found on the front page of the City of Topeka’s website at www.topeka.org or at https://www.topeka.org/streetmaintenance/street-projects/ .

The major street projects for 2018 include:

SW 49th – Wenger Road to the RR Tracks – Project #701027.00
Start Date: March 5, 2018
Completion Date: July 13, 2018
Details: This project will transform a rural two-lane unpaved road into a Concrete, 3 lane section, 41 ft. industrial road, with curb and gutter.

SW 29th and Burlingame Intersection
Start Date: April 30
Completion Date: Nov. 9
Details: The intersection will be removed and replaced.

SW 21st and Kansas Avenue Intersection
Start Date: April 23
Completion Date: Nov. 2
Details: The intersection will be removed and replaced.

SW Arvonia Place/Huntoon Street/I-470 Ramp
Bid Opening: April 11
Start Date: May 7
Completion Date – Phase I of II: November 30, 2018
Details: This project will include complete removal and replacement as well as the relocation of the Arvonia Pl. and SW Winding Road intersection. This is a two-construction season project.

SW Gage – 21st to 25th
Bid Opening: April 24
Start Date: June 11, 2018
Estimated Completion Date: October 2018
Details: This project will include full-depth patching and a mill and overlay.

N. Vail – NW Gordon to Hwy 24 Frontage Road
Estimated Start Date: Fall 2018
Estimated Completion Date: Summer 2019
Details: The project will be a complete removal and replacement.
SE Adams – 29th to 33rd
Bid Opening: April 24
Start Date: May 29
Completion Date: November 9, 2018
Details: This project will include complete removal and replacement.

Public Open Houses for Road Projects:

A public open house for the SW 29th and Burlingame Project is scheduled from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Thursday, April 12, Countryside United Methodist Church, 3221 SW Burlingame Road.

A public open house for the Arvonia/Huntoon/I-470 Project is scheduled from 4:30 to 6 p.m., Monday, April 23, Washburn Tech, 5724 SW Huntoon, Bldg. A.

Additional public meetings will be scheduled for some projects as they near construction

The point-in-time count of homeless persons in Topeka took place on January 23rd. This one day event produces a snapshot of the individuals in our community experiencing homelessness as defined by Housing and Urban Development. This data is used to support federal funding for the Continuum of Care Initiative. In 2018 the Topeka Rescue Mission saw 419 people experiencing homelessness. In 2019 that number jumped to 441. 16% of the homeless population in Topeka was under 18, for a total of 69 persons under 18. Overall the numbers of homelessness in Topeka increased from last year.

“The point-in-time count helps us to identify those people in need and to attain the resources that we need to help them,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services for the City of Topeka. “We want to thank all the volunteers who helped us with the count and who are helping to make our community better.”

The information gathered during the point-in-time count helps the City of Topeka understand the face of homelessness in the community so that services are meeting the needs of homeless persons. This count also helps to raise public awareness surrounding issues with homelessness and measures the community progress towards preventing and ending homelessness.

The City of Topeka’s Housing Services Division has totaled the numbers from this year’s point-in-time count. This one day event produced a snapshot of individuals in our community experiencing homelessness.
• 441 People experiencing homelessness.
• 349 Households experiencing homelessness.
• 212 individuals have a serious mental illness.
• 181 individuals are chronically homeless.
• 70% of people were in an emergency shelter, 15% were in transitional housing and 15% were unsheltered.

Forty-two individuals helped with the point-in-time homeless count, including 23 community volunteers. Below is a chart that details and compares the numbers from 2018 and 2019.

2018                                                        2019

People	419	441
Households	322	349
% of single adults	88	90
% of adults with children	12	10
% of youth households	7	16
% of veteran households	19	12
People with serious mental illness	183	212
People who are chronically homeless	153	181
People with a substance abuse disorder	69	112
People who are victims of domestic violence	34	49
% in an emergency shelter	66	70
% in transitional housing	17	15
% unsheltered	15	15

The City of Topeka is kicking off road construction projects for the 2019 construction season, which are typically constructed from March through November. These projects are essential to restore roads in Topeka and to maintain them in order to keep roads in good shape for as long as possible.
Projects starting soon are:
 SE Adams – 33rd to 37th – April 1st
 Chesney Park, Phase 1 – April 1st
 SW Gage – 25th to 29th – April 2nd
 SW Arvonia/Winding Road – April 8th
“The passing of the half cent sales tax was critical to fixing our streets,” said Public Works Director Jason Peek. “The city is using new and innovative techniques to extend the life of our roads and keep them in the best shape possible while also replacing the streets that need the most work.”
The Public Works Department has been hard at work putting the city’s half cent sales tax to good use by improving streets all over the city. Three years ago, the city embarked on a new pavement management program heavy on analytics and effective processes. The first step was to gather data. In the fall of 2016, the city hired an independent firm to gauge the condition or our streets from 0 (the worst) to 100 (the best). Poor condition pavement ranks between 0-54; Fair between 55-70, and Good between 70-100.The most effective investment for Poor condition pavement is complete reconstruction; Fair condition, major to minor rehabilitation; and Good, regular preventive maintenance. Information regarding the program and condition results can be found at https://www.topeka.org/streetmaintenance/topeka-street-conditions/#glossary 
The second step was to review various street maintenance methods and determine which ones were effective, which ones could be improve, and which ones may be missing. Following eight years of major construction, the City also added effective preventive maintenance program to keep the good streets good. As a result the city began micro-surfacing and crack-sealing to preserve the streets and keep them in good condition longer. Streets that are in good, satisfactory or fair condition, but not yet a candidate for a mill and overlay or replacement, are treated with preventive maintenance techniques. Eighty-three lane miles of streets received preventive maintenance treatment last year.
Together, the combination of crack-sealing and micro-sealing are a cost-effective way to “keep our good roads good”. The process takes a lot less time at a much lower cost than the more extensive mill and overlay project. The City plans to micro-seal approximately 100 lane-miles this spring/summer. Several major projects are in the works including mill and overlay and replacements of streets and intersections. Those projects can be found below.
Street crews will be working hard all summer to build the best roads for Topeka so please keep these safe driving tips in mind during construction season:
 Be alert and watch for workers.
 Be prepared to stop when necessary.
 Follow all traffic control.
 Don’t take shortcuts through private property.
 Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
 Don’t tailgate.
Major road project details can be found on the front page of the City of Topeka’s website at www.topeka.org.
2019 Major Street Projects are as follows:
SE Adams – 33rd to 37th – Project #841017.83
 Start Date: April 1, 2019
 Completion Date: October 25, 2019
 Details: This project is a complete removal and replacement.
 Traffic Impact: The road will be closed. A signed detour will be provided.
 Est. Budget: $1.6 million
 Funding: Citywide Half Cent Sales Tax; City Project Manager: Robert Bidwell, P.E., 368-3842
 Project Public Meeting: 6-7 p.m., Thursday, March 28, at CRC Center, 455 SE Golf Park.
Chesney Park Neighborhood Project – Phase I – Project #841017.60
 Start Date: April 1, 2019
 Completion Date: November 15, 2019
 Details: This two-construction season project includes some curb, gutter, and sidewalk replacement; full depth patches in the street and a mill and overlay, extensive storm water piping and inlet boxes, and three blocks of waterline. 2019 construction includes the area from 17th to 21st and Washburn to Clay. 2020 construction will include the area from 17th to 21st and Clay to Western.
 Traffic Impact: Minimal, only in front of residences where construction is occurring.
 Est. Budget: $2.7 million
 Funding: Citywide Half Cent Sales Tax; City Project Manager: Robert Bidwell, P.E., 368-3842
SW Gage – 25th to 29th – Project #841017.84
 Start Date: April 2, 2019
 Completion Date: August 9, 2019
 Details: This project will include full-depth patching and a mill and overlay.
 Traffic Impact: Traffic will be allowed through the project during construction. Some turn restrictions may apply.
 Estimated Budget: Funding: Citywide Half Cent Sales Tax; City Project Manager: Robert Bidwell, P.E., 368-3842
 Project Public Meeting: 4:30-5:30 p.m., Monday, April 1, First Christian Church, 1880 SW Gage.
SW Arvonia Place/Winding Road – Phase II Project #701014.01
 Start Date: April 8
 Completion Date – Phase II: September 20
 Details: This 150-day project is complete removal and replacement as well as the relocation of the Arvonia Pl. and SW Winding Road intersection.
 Traffic Impact: Arvonia will be closed to through traffic.
 Estimated Budget: $2.13 million
 Funding: General Obligation Bonds; City Project Manager: Linda Voss, P.E., 368-3842
 A public open house is scheduled for Wednesday, March 27, between 4:30 and 6 p.m. at Washburn Tech, 5724 SW Huntoon, in the Conference Center.
NW Vail – NW Gordon to Hwy 24 Frontage Road – Project #841017.82
 Bid Date: April 9
 Start Date: May 13
 Completion Date: September 13
 Details: The project will include complete removal and replacement of the pavement.
 Traffic Impact: The road will be closed to through traffic during construction. A signed detour will be provided.
 Estimated Budget: TBD
 Funding: City Half Cent Sales Tax; Project Manager: Robert Bidwell, P.E., 368-3842
North Kansas Ave. – Morse to Soldier – Project #841017.85
 Bid Date: TBD
 Start Date: Summer 2019
 Completion Date: Fall 2019
 Details: This project will include complete pavement removal and reconstruction and limited sidewalk improvements.
 Traffic Impact: Through traffic will be allowed during the project; some turn restrictions may apply.
 Estimated Budget: TBD
 Funding: Citywide Half Cent Sales Tax; City Project Manager: Robert Bidwell, P.E., 368-3842
Clarion Woods Neighborhood – Phase II of II – Project #841040.15
 Start Date: March 18
 Completion Date: November 30 – Phase II
 Details: This project is a complete reconstruction of residential streets and underdrains to eliminate water saturation under the roadway.
 Traffic Impact: Minimal, only in front of residences where construction is occurring.
 Estimated Budget: $2.0 million
 Funding: Citywide Half Cent Sales Tax; City Project Manager: Keith Duncan, P.E., 368-3842.
Tennessee Town Neighborhood Project #601075.02
 Bid Date: April 10
 Start Date: May 6
 Completion Date: November 8
 Details: This project will include portions of curb, gutter, and sidewalk replacement; full depth patches in the street and a mill and overlay, extensive storm water piping and inlet boxes, and three blocks of waterline.
 Traffic Impact: Minimal, only in front of residences where construction is occurring.
 Est. Budget: $1.4 million
 Funding: SORT GO Bonds; City Project Manager: Linda Voss, P.E., 368-3842
Bikeways Construction – Phase III – Project #861005.02
 Bid Date: TBD
 Start Date: Spring 2019
 Completion Date: TBD depending on the start date.
 Details: This project includes construction of bike lanes on SW 8th – Topeka Blvd. to College Ave. and on Washburn and Lane from SW 6th to SW 17th. It also includes pavement markings on all of Route 12; Route 19, Sections 6, 7 and 8; and Route 5, Section 23. The routes and other information regarding the progress of the master plan can be found at http://www.topekampo.org/bikeways-master-plan.html
 Budget: $1 million
 Funding: State Grant
 City Project Manager: Linda Voss, P.E., 368-3842
Micro surfacing – Project #601071.02
 Bid Date: April 16
 Start Date: TBD
 Completion Date: 120 days after Start Date
 Details: Crack sealing will take place during the 2018-19 winter; micro surfacing will occur after crack sealing has set for several months.
 Traffic Impact: Projects on neighborhood streets will only impact those who park in front of their home or use the street regularly to come and go from the neighborhood. On busy streets, work may close a section for a short period but will be open by evening in most cases.
 Funding: $3.0 million in remaining Countywide Half Cent Sales Tax
 City Project Manager: Keith Duncan, P.E., 368-3842

The City of Topeka is making the difficult decision to cancel our involvement in this year’s Topeka E-cycle event due to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health concerns. The Division of Community Engagement is dedicated to providing a safe environment to our neighbors, and with an event this large in size, it is not feasible to provide adequate social distancing and sanitization to ensure our neighbors, staff and volunteers remain protected from the potential spread of COVID-19. The decision is a difficult one because this event provides the opportunity for a large number of our neighbors to dispose of their electronic recyclable items. We look forward to the 2021 Topeka E-cycle during safer times in our community.
Please note that Household Hazardous Waste accepts all E-waste during their normal operational hours. Mon-Thurs: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm; Friday: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm. HHW is located at 131 NE 46th Street, Topeka, KS.