Latest news with #HotelTopeka
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
City surpasses $10 million put into Hotel Topeka
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Topeka city leaders will put $291,086 into Hotel Topeka, but not everyone on the governing body was on board with the investment. Councilmembers Christina Valdivia-Alcala, Sylvia Ortiz and David Banks voted against this resolution. The city has now invested more than $10 million into the hotel, since buying it almost two years ago for around $7.6 million. The latest investment going into the hotel is because the city has to make up operational deficits, but Banks was against it. Groundbreaking set in Emporia for $43 million internet project 'I voted no because my constituents feel that it was an unnecessary purchase and have asked that if we're going to consider the fact that we have to keep it, we do not have to make improvements, we don't have to,' Banks said. 'It's important to keep it up if we ever want to get rid of it, but constituents' requests is what I do.' Banks told 27 News that he believes the amount of money the city has put into the hotel is a lot more than it should, and that while they've had interest in the hotel, they don't have a buyer at this time. A city spokesman told 27 News back in January that the city had seven offers, but Banks said they don't have a timetable on when the hotel will be sold. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City looks to put more money into Hotel Topeka, here's why
TOPEKA (KSNT) – City leaders are looking to put $291,000 more into Hotel Topeka. Following two executive sessions in a special meeting on Monday, the Topeka Development Corporation decided it will move forward with requesting another round of funding. Since the city owns the hotel, it is required to make up for any operational losses from Hotel Topeka. At the end of last year, the TDC approved the budget with a net operating loss estimated at $870,000. Since Hotel Topeka is not generating enough revenue to cover its expenses, the city needs to invest more money into the hotel to help make up the deficit. 'This was a request from the management company based on their projections through the end of June for the expenses to make up this shortfall, which was the $291,000,' Assistant City Manager Braxton Copley said. The hotel currently has an overall annual occupancy rate of approximately 30%. Copley says even with the hotel operating with minimal staff and expenses, Hotel Topeka is still projected to have a net operating loss of $870,000 in 2025. The council will vote on this new investment at Tuesday's city council meeting. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why tourism in Topeka is down
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka Lodging Association is sounding the alarm on tourism in the capital city. They say a big part of that is due to Hotel Topeka and the closure of Heartland Park Racetrack. Topeka's tourism taxes is $50,000 off track for 2025, 15% less than expected. They say most of the shortfall comes from Hotel Topeka, which the city purchased next to the Stormont Vail Event Center. 'Yes, Hotel Topeka does play into this as it's been difficult to sell for group in particular,' Visit Topeka President Sean Dixon said. 'But we had some severe weather issues that withheld some of the stuff that was on the books already.' This isn't the first time there's been a downward trend in transient guest tax in Topeka. A good example Dixon gives is COVID – when the city fell $600,000 short in taxes. Although, local economic leaders say not to worry. While tourism points down at the moment, good things are coming to Topeka soon. 'We don't anticipate a significant reduction again for the first quarter of '26. We actually have a lot of great booked business in at that point,' Dixon said. Visit Topeka says sports, specifically, is going to do great for Topeka. Some of those events will include a major cheer and dance championship, and the Kansas Kids Wrestling Tournament, which brings thousands of people to the Capital City. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Topeka neighborhood ready for free bulky trash pickup
TOPEKA (KSNT) – As many people are getting into spring cleaning mode, the City of Topeka is helping people in some neighborhoods get rid of bulky waste items. This Saturday, April 19, people who live in the Historic North Topeka East Neighborhood Improvement Association area can get large items hauled away for free. The event is part of a federally funded effort designed to serve serve low to moderate income areas. Any large items, except for things like rocks, chemicals, tires, appliances or tree limbs, will be accepted. Items meant for collection must be moved to the front yard curb. 'No significant improvements': Hotel Topeka appraisal North Topeka East NIA President Garrett Scudder is trying to get the word out to his neighbors about the event. He said when this collection happened two years ago, the neighborhood was able to dispose of over 13 tons of bulky trash. 'There are a lot of things that happen in our neighborhood,' Scudder said. 'People move and leave things behind for landlords to deal with. It's really important to keep our neighborhood looking nice and welcoming.' Saturday morning, Topeka's Easterfest parade is happening along North Kansas Avenue. If your house is along this route, crews are picking up your items first. Pick up begins at 7 a.m. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘No significant improvements': Hotel Topeka appraised
TOPEKA (KSNT) — Despite improvements, the appraised value of Hotel Topeka has remained unchanged at $3 million since the city purchased the property. 27 News looked into the appraisal of Hotel Topeka and found that the appraised value of the hotel has remained $3 million ever since the city purchased the property for $7,391,458 in October 2023. According to the document provided by City Communications Director Dan Garrett, the Topeka City Council has authorized 10 different funding requests since purchasing the hotel for a total of $2,279,489 not including the most recent $168,000 request. Although expenses were incurred for repairs and maintenance, as of the valuation date, no significant improvements had been made, and deferred maintenance remained. Based on this, along with a review of the property's operating statements, it was determined that a change in the appraised value was not warranted. Shawnee County Appraiser Steve Bauman One dead in gas station shooting in NE Topeka We contacted the City of Topeka to see what repairs or improvements have been made to the hotel since the purchase. Garrett provided a list of funds and payments for the hotel related to repairs and improvements: Purpose Amount Sprinklers $7,297 Locks $90,661 Horn strobe $632 Actuators (parts only) $19,106 Chavez remediation $24,058 Backflow preventer; antifreeze loop & flow switch $9,479 Drywall $2,971 Pull Stations $2,168 Actuator partial labor $18,286 Remaining actuator labor $69,344 LED lights #1 $2,250 LED lights #2 $1,620 Adams Brown invoice $26,747 Server for lock system $2,003 Damper actuator rehab $49,747 Trane chiller rehab $217,254 Service elevator drive $32,191 Total $575,814 In 2024 Shawnee County Appraiser Steve Bauman told 27 News the previous owners of the hotel had appealed the appraised value in April 2023, bringing the appraisal down to $3 million flat from $7,277,340. 'The appraised value that the county appraiser has is actually a good thing for the city of Topeka because that property tax amount is much less than what it was back in 2019 when the hotel was more profitable,' Topeka public works director Braxton Copely said in 2024. Why legalizing weed in Kansas isn't working On Tuesday the city leaders approved $168,000 in funding the Hotel Topeka. The money will come from the city's General Fund and will go towards the continued operation and maintenance of the building. The funding request was approved by the governing body 7-3, with District 2 Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala, District 3 Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz and District 4 Councilman David Banks opposed. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
