Press Releases

Attention Pokémon Trainers: Topeka was selected to join seven other cities in hosting a preview opportunity to play the upcoming games for the Nintendo Switch, Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! The other cities include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, and New York. Topeka was selected because of our history with the Pokémon franchise. Back in 1998, Nintendo chose Topeka as the site for the national debut for a series of Pokémon games.
The Topeka Zoo will host the Pokémon Let’s Go Road Trip on October 27th, from 9:00-6:00. A pair of Pikachu and Eevee themed demo trucks will be in the Topeka Zoo parking lot. All Gage Park guests will have the opportunity to test out the new games, as well as the new Poké Ball Plus accessory for the Nintendo Switch. This event is completely free and open to the public.
Friends of Topeka Zoo Executive Director Jared Bednar says, “Pokémon has been such an important component of our pop culture. The television shows, video games, and card games are ingrained in many of our childhood memories. We are so excited to be one of the cities selected to participate with this exciting promotion.”
In conjunction with the Pokémon Let’s Go Road Trip, the Topeka Zoo will be bringing back our Pokémon Go Safari Zone for Oct. 27. Avid Pokémon collectors know that new Pokémon were just released on Oct. 16 within the Pokémon Go game for iOS and Android. With the assistance of local trainers, lures will be dropped throughout the day to increase Pokémon spawns.
Oct. 27 is also the second date of our annual Boo at the Zoo event. Dozens of vendors will provide candy and activities within the zoo for a safe, trick-or-treating environment. Standard general admission rates apply; Friends of Topeka Zoo members receive free admission.
For Further Information please contact Jared Bednar, Executive Director, FOTZ (785)368-9162

The City of Topeka’s Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative is beginning its first community outreach phase, focusing on mowing, through a new mowing program.

Currently, the City of Topeka is seeking proposals from qualified businesses, organizations, or individuals, to develop and run a community mowing service pilot program. The pilot program will provide mowing services for underserved neighborhoods, by developing a fixed, and affordable rate model. The pilot program will primarily serve the City’s low and moderate income (LMI) neighborhoods, and those living in Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) areas. The City will provide up to $25,000 to help develop the pilot program. Once up and running, the goal is for the program to become self-sustaining, and independent from City financial support.

The City will host a pre-proposal meeting on Thursday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Holliday Building for potential bidders to learn about the program initiative, and to ask questions.

“This summer, mowing will be our first action initiative. The goal is to get as many properties as possible mowed, not just one time, but for the season and with a sustainable future plan,” said Councilwoman Karen Hiller. “Watch for further developments with the initiative, including volunteer opportunities for neighbors, families, churches, businesses, organizations, and more to get engaged with helping residents with mowing!”

The Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative is a five-year plan, created by the Topeka City Council’s Public Health and Safety Committee. The initiative is a collective effort by City of Topeka departments, the Topeka City Council, and the community to improve property condition, reduce substandard housing, motivate property owners to care for their properties, and encourage investment in vacant and deteriorated properties. The Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative is championed by Councilwoman Karen Hiller and Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala.

“We are so encouraged with the possibilities of the initiative for both the City of Topeka and our neighbors across the city. It’s vital we all lean in towards each other to help re-create neighborhoods and community – this is the time,” said Councilwoman Valdivia-Alcala.

Visit https://www.topeka.org/citycouncil/changing-our-culture-of-property-maintenance/ for more information about the initiative.

 

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.

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 will begin road construction on NW 17th St. in front of Sunflower Sports Association (SSA) on Monday, August 18, with work expected to be complete within three weeks, weather-permitting.

The project includes asphalt overlay with some full depth patching and edge milling on NW 17th St. on the west side of the US-75 on/off ramp (see image below). This will address failing concrete and asphalt panels located in front of SSA.

This project is planned to close NW 17th St. to thru traffic during construction; however, access to and from the soccer complex will be maintained at all times. A detour will be clearly marked, carrying traffic on Vail Ave., NW 25th St., and Menoken Rd.

The City encourages drivers to use caution in construction zones and follow all posted signs for their safety and the safety of construction crews.

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.

 

Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance Program is a foreclosure/eviction mitigation and utility prevention shut-off program created by the City of Topeka and administered by the Community Resources Council (CRC). $1.5 million in CARES Act funds will be available to qualified applicants to help cover expenses and help keep people housed and with utilities in Topeka.

“Community Resources Council, is pleased to again partner with the City of Topeka on a social service program. CRC will be providing management over-site of this essential COVID Basic Needs Assistance Program. For almost a century, CRC has been serving the Topeka/Shawnee County community in ‘minding the gap’ of social service programing and the unmet needs within our community,” said Mary Thomas the Community Resources Council Executive Officer.

“The City of Topeka knows how much our neighbors are struggling during these difficult times. The Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance program is designed to keep our neighbors housed and with their utilities on so they can focus on other needs this year,” said City Manager Brent Trout.

The Operation COVID-19 Basic Needs Assistance program is by appointment only Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Wednesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Appointments should take between forty-five minutes and one hour. Walk-in appointments will be scheduled for the next available appointment or what works best for them with no exceptions. Applicants must bring all required documents (as stated on the application) at the time of the appointment to proceed. If the applicant is lacking information/documentation the appointment will be rescheduled. Applicants must be on time, after 5 minutes of grace period the appointment will be rescheduled.   c

 

Required documents participants must bring to the appointment include:

• ID or driver’s license,
• Social security number for all household members,
• Rent lease/mortgage statement,
• Past 30 days pay stubs or SSI/SSDI or Unemployment statement
• Current Utility Bills

 

Appointments can be scheduled over the phone from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (785) 233-1365. If the line is busy, leave your name and phone number and CRC staff will call back to schedule an appointment.

Operation Food Secure is a joint initiative between the Topeka Rescue Mission, the City of Topeka, and United Way of Greater Topeka and several other partners with organizations, churches, and neighborhood groups to distribute food boxes to those in need in neighborhoods across Northeast Kansas. The City of Topeka will host mobile food sites in specified neighborhoods through September and October.

“Many families in Topeka are struggling and we want to ensure that no one in our community goes to bed hungry at night,” said Director of Community Engagement Monique Glaudeˊ. “I am grateful to all of our partners who have stepped up and done the work to make sure our community is fed.”

Topeka Rescue Mission also offers traditional food distribution on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 2pm. Please drive to the Northwest end of the Distribution Center (401 Norris) where you will be able to stay in your car and receive assistance.

If you are interested in volunteering you can contact LaToya Burnett at lburnett@topeka.org or (785) 368-3663. If you are interested in hosting a site in your community and would like to serve as an Operation Food Secure Neighborhood Site Captain, please contact Marissa Dake at mdake@trmonline.org.

You can also visit these links to sign up as a volunteer:

September Volunteer link: https://unitedwaytopeka.galaxydigital.com/event/detail/?event_id=68304

 

See the attached flyer for dates and site locations for the Operation Food Secure Mobile Food Sites.

In an effort to assist in curving the spread of COVID-19 in our community, the City of Topeka Division of Community Engagement will be distributing 1,000 bottles of 20 ounce hand sanitizer into the community at Stormont Vail Event Center on Wednesday, December 9^th from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The hand sanitizer can be picked up in the Heritage Hall parking lot on SW 17^th Street. Participants will receive one free bottle of hand sanitizer per household on a first-come, first-serve basis. In addition, everyone will receive a resource bag containing COVID-19 information and community resources.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Photo I.D. with current address (must reside within the City limits)
• 18 years or older

 

“Taking precautions and practicing healthy habits is extremely important with the prevalence of COVID-19 in our community. Thanks to a generous donor the City of Topeka is working to help our community by providing hand sanitizer to our community,” said Monique Glaudeˊ, Division Director of Community Engagement.

14,500 bottles of FABER 20 ounce bottles of hand sanitizer was donated by an anonymous community partner. Various pop-up events hosted by the City of Topeka Division of Community Engagement will take place through April 2021.

The City of Topeka was awarded $1,157,894 from the KDOT Transportation Alternatives (TA) Grant Program to implement Phase IV of the Topeka Bikeways Master Plan/Fast-Track 2020 Update. This phase includes 12 projects ranging from small to large that will provide for safer and more connected bike facilities in neighborhoods throughout the city. Those projects include two new major connections to Downtown, a first ever connection and enhancement to a Kansas River levee trail, 8 additional connections to the Shunga, Landon, and Soldier Creek Trails, and a ¾ mile multi-use side path along NW Tyler. In addition, Shawnee County was awarded funds to complete the Deer Creek Trail between Dornwood Park and SE 29^th Street.

“This grant from the KDOT Transportation Alternatives Grant Program will better connect the city and make it safer for cyclists – two priorities we heard from the public,” said Bill Fiander, Director of Planning and Development for the City of Topeka. “The City of Topeka is proud of our growing bikeways and complete streets network that benefit all users of streets and trails regardless of how they choose to travel.”

Total project costs will be split between the TA Grant (80%) and local funds (20%). The City’s match will primarily come from the Countywide sales tax dedicated for Bikeways Master Plan implementation. Construction is scheduled to be completed by 2023. The City projects are further described below:

Downtown Connections

1. Kansas Bridge – Laurent to 1st street: Reduction of vehicle lanes and separated bike lanes on the Kansas Avenue Bridge
2. Landon to downtown connection- Reduction of travel lanes on Monroe and Quincy, separated/buffered bike lanes on Monroe, Quincy, 11th and 12th, and pedestrian lane on Monroe from 15th – 17th

 

Trail Connections (multiple areas)

3. 15th street from Kansas Ave to Shunga: Sharrows and signage
4. 6th and Branner connecting to the Shunga: 10’ Trail connection and signage
5. North Levee Trail loop: Along the levee from Kansas to Topeka- Trail surface enhancements/signage/access. Tyler north to Laurent and Laurent to Kansas- Sharrows
6. 20th and Kansas connecting to the Shunga: 10’ Trail connection and signage
7. 21st and Western connecting to the Shunga: 10’ Trail connection and signage
8. Shunga Trail connection near MacVicar and Shunga Dr: 10’ Trail connection, signage and curb ramps
9. Waddell to Soldier Creek Trail: 10’ Trail Connection, signage and curb ramps (design will be done with City Street recon project)
10. Landon Trail to Fremont on 29th: 10’ Shared use path and retaining wall
11. Liberty and California to the Shunga: 10’ Trail Connection

 

North Topeka

12. Tyler- Lyman to Paramore- 10’ Sidepath on East side (design will be done with City Street recon project)