Topeka council authorizes RFPs to market three city parcels, notes environmental and funding constraints

The governing body authorized staff to begin the disposal process and develop RFPs to engage a broker to market three city-owned parcels: 204 Southwest Fifth Street, the 400 Southeast Eighth Avenue parking lot (2.5 acres), and 225 Northwest Curtis Street (2.4 acres).

For 204 SW Fifth, staff presented a downtown valuation exercise and disclosed that a Phase I and limited Phase II environmental site investigation had found recognized contamination, including total petroleum hydrocarbons above Kansas Department of Health and Environment risk standards. Staff said remediation costs would be disclosed to prospective developers as part of marketing materials.

For 400 SE Eighth Avenue, staff estimated a notional value (presented in staff materials) and said no environmental assessments had been completed; council discussed land-bank and county interest as potential alternatives. For 225 NW Curtis (a riverfront tract in Noto), staff noted the parcel was purchased with transient guest tax (TGT) funds, which imposes restrictions on allowable redevelopment uses (conventions/tourism or economic welfare uses tied to TGT law). Environmental work across the larger campus identified soil and groundwater concerns; staff said any RFP will disclose constraints.

Council approved the requests in separate votes and asked staff to coordinate offers with county officials and interested public partners where appropriate. Staff emphasized that the legislative step before them authorized disposal and marketing efforts, not final sale approvals; council will consider any offers and recommendations returned by staff and broker.