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Outgoing Topeka mayor reflects on partnerships, infrastructure and downtown housing as he departs
Summary
At his final press conference, the mayor thanked staff and community leaders, highlighted a busy parade and retail comeback, celebrated a large police academy graduating class, previewed downtown housing projects and infrastructure work, and said relationships built over his tenure are his proudest achievement.
In his final press conference, Mayor (unnamed) thanked community partners, staff and family while summarizing projects and progress across Topeka.
The mayor praised the Greater Topeka Partnership and John Coop for organizing the Miracle on Kansas Avenue holiday parade and said fireworks capped the event in a way he had not seen before. "It was a great event," he said, noting many children attended.
He also acknowledged renewed activity at West Ridge Mall and local investors. "I wanna thank him for his efforts in that area…This community needs that mall," the mayor said of a local investor, praising the mall's management and renewed traffic.
On public safety and personnel, officials said the Topeka Police Academy recently graduated 18 recruits from a class that started with about 23 candidates, and that graduates have entered field training. City Manager (unnamed) reported roughly 12 current vacancies and about 270 filled positions out of 285 on staff.
Housing and downtown development were highlighted: the city council approved incentives for a unit tower expected to add over 200 affordable units downtown, and authorized a public hearing for the RHID Project View, a roughly 197-unit market-rate project with a rooftop amenity. The mayor and city manager said multiple downtown projects, including a "union" development, are advancing and could contribute to a housing boom over the next few years.
The mayor used the occasion to thank numerous local leaders and organizations for their efforts, including regional airport staff, faith leaders and nonprofits such as the Boys & Girls Club. He specifically thanked City Manager Doctor Perez for his vision and work. "We could do this or we could do that. He's got a vision that has to go hand in hand with skills and abilities," the mayor said of Perez.
Asked what he is most proud of, the mayor said relationships formed during his tenure. He closed by wishing residents happy holidays and saying he planned to spend more time with his family after leaving office.
