Press Releases

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’s Office of Inclusive Communities invites residents to attend the upcoming Community Resource Expo, a free, one-stop-shop event featuring more than 20 organizations ready to connect individuals and families with vital services and support.

The Resource Expo will take place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, James C. Marvin Auditorium. This event is designed to help residents access a wide variety of essential resources in one location.

Attendees can expect to find information and assistance in areas including:
• Financial and credit counseling
• Employment and career development
• Veteran Services
• Health care and wellness
• Food security and nutrition
• Legal services
• And more!
“This expo is about making it easier for Topekans to connect with the help they need,” said Monique Glaudé, Director of the Office of Inclusive Communities. “Whether you’re looking for career guidance, legal support, or wellness resources, this event will bring service providers directly to you.”

Save the date and join us on June 24 to explore the many resources available in our community.
Questions? Contact Monique Glaudé at 785-368-4470 or mglaude@topeka.org.

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.

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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 proud to announce the appointment of Chad Longstaff as Interim Fire Chief for the Topeka Fire Department, effective August 4, 2025. 

Longstaff brings over three decades of dedicated service to the Topeka Fire Department, having worked his way through the ranks from firefighter to leadership. He previously retired in 2024 after 35 years of service, and his experience and deep institutional knowledge make him an ideal choice to serve in this transitional role. 

Throughout his career, Longstaff held many positions within the department, including: Shift Commander, Battalion Chief, and Fire Captain. 

In addition to his operational experience, Longstaff has completed a wide range of professional certifications and trainings, including: Certified EMT, State of Kansas, National Incident Management System certifications, National Fire Academy Incident Safety Officer, and Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) 

“Chad Longstaff has a long and respected history with the Topeka Fire Department,” said City Manager Dr. Robert Perez. “His experience, leadership, and understanding of our community’s public safety needs make him the right choice to lead during this interim period. We’re confident in his ability to ensure continuity and support for our fire personnel as we search for the department’s next permanent chief.” 

Chief Longstaff will begin serving in this capacity on August 4, 2025, and will lead the department while the City conducts its search for a permanent fire chief. 

The City of Topeka’s Property Maintenance Unit (PMU) is excited to announce the launch of a new community engagement initiative, Coffee Code Compliance. The first event will be held on Saturday, September 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Oakland Community Center, 801 NE Poplar St.

Residents are invited to enjoy a cup of coffee while meeting members of the Property Maintenance Unit, Permitting, Zoning, and the Fire Marshal’s Office. The informal event is designed to help residents better understand city code regulations, ask questions, share ideas, and express concerns about property-related issues in their neighborhoods.

“Code enforcement is about so much more than writing citations, it’s about working together with our residents to create safe, clean, and welcoming neighborhoods,” said John Schardine, Director of Property Maintenance. “Through Coffee with a Code Compliance, we hope to build stronger relationships with our community, answer questions in a relaxed setting, and show that our team is here to help.”

In addition to offering information about city codes and processes, staff will also be available to discuss career opportunities within the City of Topeka. Attendees interested in a career in public service can learn about the rewarding benefits of joining the City’s professional code compliance teams.

The City of Topeka plans to host Coffee Code Compliance three times per year at different locations throughout the city.
Upcoming Dates, all events held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
•Saturday, September 20 – Oakland Community Center, 801 NE Poplar St.
•Saturday, October 25 – Hillcrest Community Center, 1800 SE 21st St.
•Saturday, November 15– Crestview Community Center, 4801 SW Shunga Dr.

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.