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Topeka council approves Sunflower Crossing redevelopment district; TIF ordinance passes unanimously
Summary
The Topeka City Council voted 9-0 on Nov. 12 to establish the Sunflower Crossing tax increment financing redevelopment district after a public hearing; the developer described plans for mixed retail and housing and staff cited statutory blight findings under KSA 12-17-70.
The Topeka City Council voted unanimously on Nov. 12 to adopt an ordinance establishing the Sunflower Crossing Redevelopment District, a tax increment financing (TIF) district anchored near the northwest quadrant of Topeka Boulevard and Kansas Avenue.
Deputy City Manager Braxton Cofield told the council the area meets the state’s blight criteria under KSA 12-17-70 and that seven of nine statutory factors were present. The ordinance was introduced by City Manager Dr. Robert M. Perez and advanced after a public hearing that included remarks from the developer and the applicant’s counsel.
Developer representative Jerry Rausch described the project as a mixed retail-and-housing development with a planned Quick Trip and other restaurant and retail uses, and said infrastructure work (street, lighting and a planned stoplight) and utility relocations are in coordination with city staff. “Sunflower Crossing is the gateway of what’s gonna make this really happen,” Rausch said during the hearing.
Ben Bigham, attorney for applicant BHI Development, thanked city staff for assistance and said the developer and counsel were available for council questions. Council members asked for the developer’s vision and confirmation of planned tenants; Councilman Miller moved approval and Councilman Banks seconded. Roll-call votes recorded nine affirmative votes and the motion passed.
Why it matters: the TIF designation allows the city to capture incremental property-tax revenue from the redevelopment area to finance eligible infrastructure and redevelopment costs, a tool the city uses to address blight and spur private investment. Staff referenced a consultant’s blight study attached to the agenda packet that supports the statutory findings.
What’s next: the ordinance adoption establishes the redevelopment district and authorizes staff to move forward with TIF-related implementation steps described in the agenda exhibits. Project details referenced in the hearing (exhibit A) and developer commitments will be part of later design and permitting work; council did not adopt a specific financing agreement at the Nov. 12 meeting.
Council action recorded: the vote to adopt the ordinance passed 9-0. The council also approved routine consent items, including a public-works contract amendment with SBB Engineering LLC not to exceed $74,435, as part of the meeting’s consent agenda.
