Press Releases

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.

Those who have a current lien with the City of Topeka’s Housing Services Division may now have their lien released. This change is due to the City’s new Lien Release Program.

Over the past 40 years, the City has provided thousands of rehabilitation loans to citizens. After the City completed the rehabilitation, a lien was placed on the property, with a partial forgiveness after a period of time.

Under the new Lien Release Program, 100% of the loan with the City of Topeka’s Housing Services Division will be forgiven if the homeowner stayed in the home for a period of at least 5 years. To date, the City has done over 80 releases, which has helped put nearly $300,000 back into low-income households.

“By removing the lien on the property, we’re allowing people to be able to make improvements to their property by using their own funds. This was something we had been looking at for some time, and I’m excited to have it come to fruition,” said Corrie Wright, Division Director of Housing Services.

Only those who have a current lien with the City’s Housing Services Division will qualify for the Lien Release Program. The new policy will apply to future rehabilitation loans. Those with questions regarding the program, or to see if you qualify for a release of the lien, can contact the Housing Services Division at 785-368-3711.

The City of Topeka Public Safety Team is thrilled to unveil a new scholarship initiative aimed at providing enriching theatrical experiences for low-to-moderate income children in the community.

Through a partnership with the Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy (TCT), the Public Safety Scholarship offers an exciting opportunity for children of all ages from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to engage in the transformative world of theatre.

“I wanted to give kids in the Capital City a platform to explore their creative side through the performing arts,” said Chief Wheeles. “Summer camp experiences have the power to forge lasting memories, foster positive relationships and build self-confidence in children, all while ensuring their safety and enjoyment.”

The scholarship is awarded to cover a substantial part of the entire cost for one of TCT’s summer camps, based on federal income guidelines for free or reduced lunches, and will benefit seven eligible children. TCT offers a range of camp options including week-long, three-week-long, and technical camps tailored to children aged 4 through 17.

“The Topeka Civic Theatre has been a cornerstone of our community since it opened in 1936, enriching the lives of residents,” said Fire Chief Randy Phillips. “I have seen first-hand the impact summer camps have and I’m excited to establish this scholarship and empower kids in our community for years to come.”

Established in 1936, the Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy has been a vibrant hub for theatrical arts in the Topeka community. With a mission to share the joy of live theatre, TCT offers a diverse range of performances, educational programs and outreach initiatives.

For more information about the scholarship, eligibility guidelines, and available camps, visit https://topekacivictheatre.com/scholarships.

If you are interested in learning more about the scholarship, getting to know the staff, and visiting their facility, TCT will host an open house with the Public Safety Team on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at TCT, located at 3028 SW 8^th Ave.

The City of Topeka invites community participation in our Language Access Community Survey.

This survey aims to assess how residents access information about city services and identify opportunities for improvement. The insights gathered will inform the development of the City of Topeka’s Language Access Plan.

Language access refers to the availability of language assistance and resources to individuals who have limited English proficiency (LEP) and could include translation, interpretation, multilingual staff, language access plans, language access training, outreach, and education. By prioritizing language access, we uphold legal obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and strive to overcome language barriers that may hinder access to vital services, including public safety and emergency assistance.

Effective communication with our diverse community is crucial for engagement and collaboration on city initiatives. Additionally, language access promotes economic growth by facilitating communication between businesses and residents of different language backgrounds. By fostering multilingual communication, we create a more inclusive and vibrant city that attracts diverse talent and businesses, enhancing our economic vitality.

“Overall, language access aims to promote linguistic and cultural inclusivity, enhance access to essential services, and ensure that all residents, regardless of their background, can fully participate in society and access the resources they need,” said Interim Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion Monique Glaudeˊ. “This survey is critical as we deepen our commitment to language access initiatives.”

The Language Access Community Survey is available in English and in Spanish at the links below.

English Language Access Community Survey: https://us.openforms.com/Form/13b5181b-92d6-4bc7-b303-569e0c58094a

Encuesta Comunitaria acerca del acceso lingüístico: https://us.openforms.com/Form/12dabae8-78e5-422b-9f6f-2eb06aa4b375

The City of Topeka and the American Red Cross are getting ready to host the 9th Annual Topeka Battle of the Badges Blood Drive!
For the last eight years, the Topeka Fire Department and the Topeka Police Department have gone head-to-head to see who’s supporters can garner the most blood donations. While one winner will receive the trophy, the Topeka Public Safety team, and the community as a whole,
will walk away as winners!

The 2025 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive will take place Monday, May 19 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
at the Cyrus K. Holliday Building, 620 SE Madison St., 1st Floor Conference Room. To make your
life-saving appointment, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/give (Use Sponsor Code: Topeka),
or call 1-800-RED-CROSS

The City of Topeka is a semi-finalist for a $50,000 Gen2Gen Encore Prize. The prize is awarded to an organization that comes up with an innovative solution that will tap into the talent of people over the age of fifty to partner with youth and help them thrive. Out of 110 applicants, the City of Topeka is one of 25 to make the semi-finals.

The City of Topeka needs your help to become a finalist. Our project is a program to partner people over fifty as mentors to youth in Highland Park High School, and help them to achieve their goals after high school, whether that is college, technical school or starting their own business. The program will provide ACT prep, financial literacy courses, college application fees, and college visits. The youth and mentors will also participate in a community service project. If the City of Topeka is awarded the prize, this program will be a pilot program, which we hope to expand to the other USD 501 schools in Topeka.

“We are excited to partner with USD 501 and Highland Park High School to help students achieve their dreams after high school,” said Monique Glaude’, Division Director of Community Engagement for the City of Topeka. “Pairing youth with experienced members of our community can help bridge the age gap and connect people across generations.”

In order to make the finals a public voting campaign is put on from September 12th – 25th. The semi-finalist with the most votes is automatically a finalist and awarded $10,000. The finalists will all pitch their projects in Los Angeles where the winner will win the $50,000 prize.

Everyone is allowed to vote once a day during the public voting period. Please help our project and vote here: https://bit.ly/TopekaCommonUnity

Encore is a non-profit organthat works to leverage the skills and talents of adults over the age of fifty to improve communities. The Generation to Generation program for Encore is a campaign to mobilize adults over fifty to improve the prospects of children and youth. Find out more about Encore here: https://encore.org/

TOPEKA, Kan. – The City of Topeka has issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory for customers in Topeka and Shawnee County. Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.
• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.
• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.
• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.
• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

City of Topeka officials issued the advisory as a precaution after discovering chlorine residual levels at the water treatment plant did not meet the minimum standard required by regulation. Low water levels and extreme weather have stressed the City’s water system and out of range chemical doses may put the system at risk for bacterial contamination. City staff is currently working to resolve the issue. The advisory will remain in effect until further notice and residents will be notified once it is lifted. The City will provide further updates as they become available and will provide an update at 5 p.m. today. For consumer questions, please contact the City of Topeka at citycommunications@topeka.org, or KDHE at 785-296-5514. For consumer information please visit KDHE’s PWS Consumer Information webpage: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/468/Consumer-Information-Regarding-a-Disrupt?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Restaurants and other food establishments that have questions about the impact of the boil water advisory on their business can contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s food safety & lodging program at kda.fsl@ks.gov or call 785-564-6767.

On Wednesday, the City of Topeka launched an online portal for customers to establish a new utility service, or to upgrade an existing service. City utility services include water and sewer.

The portal is intended to be used by all City customers, including residents and contractors.

To view the new portal, visit https://www.topeka.org/utilities/, and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Before accessing the portal, customers will need to create an account.

For questions, email utilityaccounts@topeka.org, or call 785-368-3111.

The City of Topeka is making staffing changes due to budget shortfalls caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Personnel have been notified of their position elimination and currently remain employed by the city. These staff members are currently working to transition their duties to other departments and staff.

The specific positions eliminated include the Deputy City Manager, Director of Neighborhood Relations and Emergency Manager. The City of Topeka will continue to work closely with Shawnee County Emergency Management for city emergency response. The Neighborhood Relations Department will be absorbed into another department, which will be decided at a later date.

These individuals are not being dismissed due to any conduct or performance issues.  However, the effect the pandemic is anticipated to have on the city budget is likely to be severe.  This requires that steps be taken to responsibly navigate through this unprecedented event, including the elimination of positions.

“Eliminating these positions was a difficult decision. I want to thank Doug, Sasha and Jim for the hard work and years of service that they gave to the City of Topeka,” said City Manager Brent Trout. “Their contributions helped to make the city a better community to live and work in.”

The elimination of these three positions, including salaries and benefits, will save the city approximately $446,000 in 2021.

Today, the League of American Bicyclists honored the efforts of the City of Topeka to build better places for people to bike with a Bronze-level Bicycle Friendly Community (BFC) award. Topeka joins 459 communities across the country in the movement for safer streets and better bicycling for everyone. The award recognizes Topeka for its commitment to creating transportation and recreational resources that benefit its residents of all ages and abilities while encouraging healthier and more sustainable transportation choices. 

“Bicycling is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a powerful tool for building healthier communities, fostering sustainability, and connecting people,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The cities and towns recognized in this round of Bicycle Friendly Community awards are leading the way by investing in infrastructure and programs that make biking an easier, safer, and more accessible choice. Their leadership demonstrates that supporting bicycling is an investment in a healthier future for everyone.” 

The League of American Bicyclists’ Bicycle Friendly America program sets the standard for how communities build and benchmark progress toward making biking better. The League strives to provide continual updates to the application as part of our commitment to help communities raise their standards for safety, equity, and accessibility. 

This round of awards includes 91 new and renewing awardees, joining a total of 460 current Bicycle Friendly Communities in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The bronze-level BFC award recognizes Topeka’s commitment to improving conditions for all people who bike through investments in bike education programs, regular bike events that promote and encourage people to choose biking, pro-bike policies, and bike infrastructure. 

“We are excited to be recognized again as a bike-friendly city,” said Braxton Copley, Assistant City Manager. “We understand that many people in Topeka use bikes for recreation or as their main form of transportation. We will continue working to provide safe opportunities to bike throughout the city.” 

Nearly 900 communities have applied for recognition by the Bicycle Friendly Community program, which provides a roadmap to making biking better for communities of all shapes and sizes. While the award process considers very visible elements such as bike infrastructure, other essential elements include efforts around adult and youth bike education, encouragement through events like Bike to Work Day, evaluation mechanisms, and enforcement all through the lens of equity. The rigorous application process is an educational tool in itself, and includes an opportunity for local bicyclists and active transportation advocates to provide input on their experiences and perceptions of bicycling in their community.   

The five levels of the BFC award – diamond, platinum, gold, silver and bronze, plus an honorable mention category – provide a clear incentive for communities to continue to improve. Awarded communities must renew their status every four years to ensure that they not only maintain existing efforts, but also keep up with changing technology, national safety standards, and community-driven best practices. 

To learn more about the BFC program, visit bikeleague.org/community. 

  About the League of American Bicyclists 

The League of American Bicyclists leads the national movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. With a history dating to 1880, the League is committed to engaging diverse communities and building a powerful, unified voice for change around protecting and promoting bicyclists’ rights. Learn more at www.bikeleague.org.