Governing body approves creation of TIF district for Battiste development at 30th and Topeka Boulevard

The Topeka governing body voted July 15 to create a tax-increment financing (TIF) district around 2950 Southwest Topeka Boulevard and set an August 12 public hearing on the related TIF project plan and development agreement. The action clears a procedural step toward a Battiste Development Company proposal for a quick-service restaurant and up to two commercial buildings at the northeast corner of 30th and Topeka Boulevard.

Rhiannon Freeman, the city’s planning and development director, said the site is about 2.66 acres and noted the existing structure was built in 1960, qualifying the area under state statute. “The redevelopment that's being proposed includes the construction of 1 developer owned, quick service restaurant, and then up to 2 commercial buildings that will be owned, and operated by a third party,” Freeman said during her presentation.

Polsinelli attorney Bob Johnson, speaking for Battiste Development, said the company is Topeka-based and works with national credit-tenant quick-service restaurant operators. He described site work and grading challenges on the Meadow Acres Inn parcel and emphasized that tonight’s vote only set geographic boundaries for the district; incentives and the development agreement will be considered at the August 12 public hearing alongside a financial analysis by Columbia Capital.

Councilman Neil Dobler moved approval of the ordinance creating the district; the motion passed with nine votes in favor. Separately, the governing body opened and closed a public hearing on a related Community Improvement District (CID) and staff said the CID, TIF project plan and development agreement will be presented together for a holistic review on Aug. 12.

The governing body did not allocate incentives July 15; staff said a Columbia Capital financial analysis and the city’s findings on statutory tests will be part of the August 12 hearing where any incentive allocations and a development agreement will be considered.

Background: City staff said one statutory test for TIF eligibility is that a building be at least 65 years old; the structure on the site dates to 1960. The project team and city staff said further details on cost allocation to statutorily eligible categories will be provided at the next public hearing.