Press Releases

Due to recent weather conditions creating countless potholes on city streets, Public Works Director Braxton Copley has declared a temporary emergency for pothole patching. All City of Topeka Street Department crews will focus their time and efforts on pothole repairs beginning January 30, 2024.

“We understand that drivers are frustrated and we are going to do our best to get potholes temporarily patched as quickly as possible,” Copley said.

All Street Department staff, including members of the night crew, will be working overtime to patch potholes throughout the city this week. Staff will re-evaluate the situation Friday and continue working overtime hours at full staff next week, if necessary.

Crews will begin patching emergency, arterial, and collector routes first, as those roadways see the most traffic. Once those routes are complete, patching units will move into residential areas. SeeClickFix ticket submissions will also be used to help identify which residential areas crews may respond to first.

During the winter months, crews use a cold mix asphalt to fill potholes. Patches made with cold mix material are expected to be temporary, designed as a stop-gap measure to keep our streets serviceable. When the weather warms, city crews are able to use a hot mix asphalt to make longer-lasting repairs.

The City of Topeka is preparing to kick off the 2023 “Fix Our Streets” season, as part of the city’s continued efforts to improve our infrastructure.

Construction season typically starts in March or April, and runs through November, depending on weather. The city’s Public Works and Utilities departments work collaboratively on these projects, when applicable.

The following highlighted “Fix Our Streets” projects are slated for 2023:

1. NW Tyler St. – Paramore St. to Beverly St. – Reconstruction
2. SE Carnahan Ave. – I-70 to 21^st St. – Reconstruction
3. SW Wenger Rd. north of 57^th St. – Reconstruction
4. Alley between N Kansas Ave. and NE Quincy St., from St. John St. to Paramore St. – Reconstruction
5. SW 6^th Ave. and Jackson St. intersection – Pavement repair
6. SW Topeka Blvd. – 17^th St. to 18^th St. – Pavement repair
7. SW 17^th St. – Tyler St. to Topeka Blvd. – Pavement repair
8. SW 6^th Ave. – Oakley Ave. to MacVicar Ave. – Pavement repair
9. SE California Ave. – I-70 to north end of bridge – Pavement repair
10. SE Golden Ave. – I-70 to SE 21^st St. – Pavement repair
11. SW Gage Blvd. – Huntoon St. to 12^th St. – Pavement repair
12. NW Goodyear Rd. at US-24 Interchange – Pavement repair
13. SW 10^th Ave. – Urish Rd. to Wanamaker Rd. – Mill and overlay
14. SW Knollwood Dr. – MacVicar Ave. to Burlingame Rd. – Mill and overlay
15. SW 29^th St. – Wanamaker Rd. to Arrowhead Rd. – Mill and overlay

Funding for the city’s “Fix Our Streets” projects are primarily supported through the citywide half-cent sales tax.

For more information about these projects, please visit https://www.topeka.org/publicworks/.

 

The City of Topeka is preparing to kick off the 2024 project season as part of the city’s continued efforts to improve our infrastructure.

Construction season typically starts in March or April, and runs through November, depending on weather. The city’s Public Works and Utilities departments work collaboratively on these projects, when applicable.

Many of the scheduled projects for 2024 are mill and overlay, with some full-depth patching as needed. Exceptions include SW Huntoon St. and those slated for Ultrathin Bonded Asphalt Surface (UBAS). UBAS is thicker and more robust than microsurfacing and is a better choice for arterial roads.

The following highlighted Public Works projects are slated for 2024:

• NE River Road – Mill and overlay with full-depth patching as needed
• SW Topeka Blvd. from SW 21st St. to SW 29th St. -– Mill and overlay with full-depth patching as needed
• Hi-Crest Neighborhood (Phase II) – Mill and overlay with full-depth patching as needed
• SW Roosevelt from SW 6th Ave. to SW 8th Ave. – Mill and overlay with full-depth patching as needed
• SW Huntoon St. from SW Gage Blvd. to SW Van Buren St. – Preliminary design concept only
• UBAS – SW 6th Ave. from SW MacVicar Ave. to SE Monroe St.
  • SE Monroe St. from SE 6th Ave. to SE 10th Ave.
  • SE Madison St. from SE 6th Ave. to SE 10th Ave.

Funding for the city’s Public Works projects are primarily supported through the citywide half-cent sales tax.

For more information about these projects, please visit https://www.topeka.org/publicworks/.

The City of Topeka, alongside the Greater Topeka Partnership, announced today that Schendel Lawn & Landscape signed on to serve as the presenting sponsor for a celebration honoring community efforts to beautify Topeka’s neighborhoods. The event will be held at downtown Topeka’s Evergy Plaza on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 12-2 p.m., featuring a food truck, music by DJ 151 Entertainment, and multiple family-friendly activities. The entire Topeka community is welcome to attend this event to help celebrate and recognize those who’ve contributed to the success and mission of the program.

Schendel Lawn & Landscape will host a raffle for attendees, with giveaway items expected to include two new lawn mowers, and a new string trimmer. The giveaway items were donated by Schendel Lawn & Landscape, Smitty’s Lawn & Garden, and DH Lawn & Garden Equipment. Additional giveaway items will be raffled off for adults and children.

“Schendel Lawn & Landscape is proud to sponsor this year’s inaugural ‘Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance’ celebration,” said Cassidy Roberson, Schendel’s director of customer experience. “We believe that a beautiful city begins with beautiful lawns. We are excited to partner with the City of Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership to empower more families across Topeka, by giving them the tools they need to elevate their residential lawns and landscapes.”

“We are so proud of the response to this program from our community,” said Karen Hiller, Topeka city council member representing District 1. “Our goal was to create an atmosphere where residents feel inspired to take responsibility for their properties and work together to address problems. We are thrilled to have Schendel Lawn & Landscape present this year’s end-of-season celebration. They are an incredible local business that makes our downtown landscaping the envy of communities across Kansas. I am so happy they are working with us to inspire the rest of Topeka to care equally for their own lawncare needs.”

“This truly is a game-changing initiative,” said Christina Valdivia-Alcala, city council member for District 2. “Growing up in Topeka, neighbors looked out for each other. When your neighbor struggled to keep up with their needs, they could count on you for help. This program reaches back to that legacy. I am very proud of our local partners, like Omni Circle Group, that have stepped up to offer support to our low- and moderate-income residents. It takes a community working together to truly become beautiful, and Topeka knows how to work together.”

“I applaud councilwomen Hiller and Valdivia-Alcala for driving this program forward,” said Glenda Washington, chief equity and opportunity officer for the Greater Topeka Partnership. “They recognize that addressing blight often starts with a helping hand, not a condemning heart. Everyone wants the opportunity to live better and have pride in their home. Some people, due to age, infirmity, or limited resources, just don’t know where to begin. I am happy to say that journey begins in Topeka with neighbors helping neighbors. I look forward to celebrating those who participated this October at Evergy Plaza!”

About the Changing our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative:

Councilwomen Hiller and Valdivia-Alcala kicked off the Changing our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative by hosting a series of public input sessions to hear directly from community members about their visions for local property maintenance. From there, the initiative blossomed into a program that aims to improve property conditions, reduce substandard housing, motivate property owners to care for their properties, and encourage investment in vacant and deteriorated properties. In the initiative’s first year, the City launched a community-led mowing program that operates in Neighborhood Improvement Association (NIA) areas.

# # #

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact the GTP’s Bob Ross at Bob.Ross@TopekaPartnership.com or the City of Topeka’s Gretchen Spiker at GSpiker@Topeka.org.

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 announced Monday that it hired Alicia Guerrero-Chavez to serve as its Internal Investigator. The Internal Investigator position is a new position to the city, and is an expansion of what was the Independent Police Auditor position.

The Internal Investigator’s role is to investigate internal and external complaints related to all city departments, employees and services, including police-related matters.

“With this position, we will be able to more broadly enhance city investigations as a whole, allowing us to ensure we are serving our community and our employees at the level they deserve,” said Topeka City Manager Stephen Wade. “Alicia comes to the City of Topeka with a wealth of knowledge and experience in this area, and we are delighted to have her on board.”

Guerrero-Chavez comes to the city with 10 years of investigation work, including experience in risk management. She has a Juris Doctor from Washburn University’s School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University. Guerrero-Chavez is a past Topeka “Top 20 Under 40” Honoree and is active with the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

To contact the office of the Internal Investigator, email investigator@topeka.org or call 785-368-3763. The office is housed in City Hall.

Guerrero-Chavez’s first day is Monday, February 20.

 

In partnership with national nonprofit organization the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund), the City of Topeka announced today the launch of a free Financial Navigators program to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial Navigators will be available remotely starting September 21st to provide guidance over the phone to help residents access available programs and services to manage income disruptions and other financial concerns. Financial Navigators help residents one-on-one to triage personal financial issues, identify immediate action steps to manage expenses and maximize income, and make referrals to other services such as meeting daily living expenses, maximizing income, managing debt, budgeting and avoiding predatory scams. The City of Topeka will offer these Financial Navigator services in partnership with Housing and Credit Counseling Inc.

“We are in unprecedented times that are greatly affecting families and their finances. The Financial Navigator program with support from Cities for Financial Empowerment and Housing and Credit Counselling, is an amazing tool that will help our families have access to great partners in our community. This support can help our citizens navigate challenges and stay self-sufficient during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Michelle De La Isla.

Residents can access these remote services by completing the web form here: https://finnav.org/topeka or calling (785) 670-5900 to sign up. The financial navigator will then send a short service agreement and call the client to begin their personal session. Organizations across Topeka can also refer clients directly to a financial navigator.

The City of Topeka is launching the Financial Navigators program in partnership with the CFE Fund, who provided grant funding along with significant technical assistance and training to launch the program in Topeka and other cities and counties across the nation. The Financial Navigators initiative is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Citi Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and the Wells Fargo Foundation.

“Financial distress is a primary part of the COVID-19 crisis, and we’re pleased Mayor De La Isla and her team is making this a priority for Topeka residents,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and CEO of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “The Financial Navigators program will help City of Topeka residents assess and prioritize their financial concerns and get connected with the right resources.”

“The pandemic and resulting economic crises have hit low- and middle-income households, contingent and undocumented workers, and many others very hard,” said James Anderson, Head of Government Innovation at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “We are very pleased to help the CFE Fund expand its high quality and impactful financial empowerment services to reach many more people in more cities.”

“Sound financial health is a critical component of addressing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on low-income and diverse communities in the U.S,” said Sarah Bainton Kahn, VP of Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase & Co. “We are pleased to collaborate with the CFE Fund to help people in Topeka to access the tools and services they need to build resiliency and advance their financial health.”

“Communities across the country continue to face significant economic challenges as a result of COVID-19,” said Brandee McHale, Head of Citi Community Investing and Development and President of the Citi Foundation. “To provide residents in Topeka with the vital financial tools and support necessary to navigate the financial impacts of the pandemic, the Citi Foundation is proud to partner once again with the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund to launch the Financial Navigators program.”

“The pandemic has clearly heightened awareness around the financial hardships that so many people were already facing here in Topeka and deep disparities that exist in society,” said Darlene Goins, head of financial health philanthropy with the Wells Fargo Foundation. “We applaud the CFE Fund for bringing together the City of Topeka, philanthropists, and financial services and other industries to reimagine solutions that can help improve financial stability and resiliency for individuals and families, particularly during this economic crisis.”

About the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund)

The CFE Fund supports municipal efforts to improve the financial stability of households by leveraging opportunities unique to local government. By translating cutting edge experience with large scale programs, research, and policy in cities of all sizes, the CFE Fund assists mayors and other local leaders to identify, develop, fund, implement, and research pilots and programs that help families build assets and make the most of their financial resources. The CFE Fund is currently working in over 100 cities, and has disbursed over $42 million to city governments and their partners to support these efforts. For more information, please visit www.cfefund.org or follow us on Twitter at @CFEFund.

 

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.

Topeka will soon be home to a new non-congregate shelter, and additional affordable housing options, the City of Topeka announced Monday. A non-congregate shelter, commonly known as a temporary shelter, provides rooms to individuals and families, and does not require occupants to sign a lease or occupancy agreement.

The projects are made possible by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP), which provided the City $1,754,961. HOME-ARP aims to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability across the country. Topeka’s Governing Body approved the HOME-ARP funding on June 14, 2022 through the 2021 Amended Consolidated Action Plan. These dollars are not affiliated with the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The City of Topeka sought requests for proposals (RFPs) for the shelter and affordable housing projects, and received 14 responses. The responses were then reviewed by an external review and ranking committee with expertise in grant writing, real estate or construction.

The City will award $1 million to YWCA of Northeast Kansas to fund the non-congregate shelter, and $754,961 to SENT, Inc. to fund new construction on three homes, and eight rehabilitations on homes for our most vulnerable citizens.

“We are so excited to add 11 new affordable housing options for Topekans. Additionally, being able to assist the YWCA in expanding their shelter is so needed and beneficial to those experiencing domestic violence, human trafficking or stalking. We all know domestic violence has been increasing across the nation. This grant will allow us to address that here in Topeka,” said Corrie Wright, the City’s Division Director of Housing Services.

All projects must fund and serve the qualifying population as outlined by HUD, which includes individuals experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking. HUD requires that all tenants and homeowners must have income levels of no more than 80% of the median household income, meaning a family of four can make no more than $66,150. City staff will review files to ensure compliance with HUD’s requirements.

The location of the shelter is not being disclosed for security purposes. The affordable housing projects will take place in Hi-Crest.