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Topeka council approves renovation and addition at Westwater Treatment Plant Building B
Summary
The Topeka City Council approved a resolution to renovate and add to Building B at the Westwater (wastewater) Treatment Plant, replacing use of an outdated 1929 building and providing updated office, shop and locker-room space for plant staff.
The Topeka City Council on Aug. 26 approved a resolution to fund renovation and an addition to Building B at the wastewater treatment plant, a project described as replacing use of an aging facility built in 1929.
The work, which the council approved after a presentation from city utilities staff, is cash-funded through the utilities/facilities program budget and was included previously in the city’s capital improvements plan. City officials said the project will provide offices, shop space, break rooms and locker rooms suited to current operations at the plant.
"We are seeking approval tonight for a project to do a renovation and addition at Building B at the wastewater treatment plant," Sylvia Davis, Director of Utilities, told the council, adding the project would let staff stop using Building U, which "was constructed in 1929" and no longer meets the plant’s needs. "This would provide offices as well as shop space, break rooms, and locker rooms for the staff to use that facility to maintain our wastewater infrastructure," Davis said.
Council members on the public infrastructure committee recommended the measure. Councilman David Banks praised the committee’s work and said Director Davis had brought “a very viable” project to the governing body. Councilwoman Hofer, who said she attended the infrastructure meeting on the item, described Building U’s condition: “The bathroom is so bad, they won't use that bathroom. … The building doesn't have very good temperature control. It's cold when it's cold, and it's hot when it's really hot.”
Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz moved to approve the resolution; Councilwoman Hofer seconded. The clerk recorded eight yes votes and the motion carried.
The renovation will cease use of Building U and consolidate staff spaces into Building B; budget and funding were described as cash-funded out of the utilities/facilities program and previously planned in the CIP. City staff present for the briefing included Jason Tryon, deputy director of public works, who was available to answer questions during the discussion.
The council did not provide a construction timetable in the discussion on Aug. 26; staff said questions could be directed to the utilities or facilities divisions for details on schedule and procurement.
