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Topeka approves RHID and related parking and property deals to advance $50M downtown housing project
Summary
Council approved a package of actions to enable Flaherty & Collins’ downtown project — a 192‑unit, roughly $50 million development named "The Hutch" — including RHID adoption, property purchases, and long‑term parking leases tied to the project financing.
The Topeka governing body on Feb. 3 approved the formation of a reinvestment housing incentive district (RHID) and a set of related agreements to enable a downtown mixed‑use project proposed by Flaherty & Collins.
Deputy City Manager Braxton Copley presented the project as a roughly $50,000,000, four‑story development called "The Hutch," featuring 192 market‑rate units, about 2,500 square feet of commercial space, resident amenities and rooftop observation areas. Staff said the RHID would reimburse up to approximately $5,800,000 of RHID‑eligible costs over a 25‑year pay‑as‑you‑go schedule and that a $1,500,000 city economic development grant (to be repaid) and a Department of Commerce grant of roughly $5,700,000 were part of the project's financial package.
The multi‑item package included: an amendment to the city's parking code to allow rate flexibility for parking garages (item C), a 25‑year lease of 150 stalls to Jayhawk Tower Partners LLC (item D), a memorandum of understanding to lease 192 spaces to Topeka FC 1 LLC with a 35‑year term and early stabilization periods (item E), a purchase agreement for nine parcels totaling $1,150,000 to be conveyed upon issuance of a full building permit and leased back to the developer for the RHID term (item F), and the RHID ordinance and development agreement itself (item G). Council approved each item in separate roll calls.
Council debate centered heavily on parking: several members supported the package as necessary to activate downtown housing and retail, while others warned that long, discounted parking leases and multi‑decade commitments could weaken the city’s parking fund and reduce flexibility for businesses. Councilmember Hiller described the project as a "game changer" that moves the city toward its housing targets; another councilmember cautioned that long‑term parking concessions could be costly to the city.
Developers and their representatives said the package is interdependent and required to make the project financially viable. David Wingerson of Flaherty & Collins and Robert Flaherty stressed the project's role in bringing residents downtown; Wingerson said the development would deliver an estimated 275–300 residents and support downtown businesses.
The council adopted the RHID ordinance, approved the development agreement, and voted separately to approve the related parking leases and the property purchase agreement.
Next steps: staff will conclude contracts, execute property conveyances upon required permits, and monitor RHID reimbursements and parking revenue impacts as construction proceeds.
