City leaders to vote on TIF district, could bring in new restaurant and commercial buildings

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Tuesday, Topeka city leaders will vote to adopt the 30th and Topeka TIF district project plan. Approval will lead the way for a potential restaurant and up to two commercial buildings.

Last month, city leaders at a public hearing discussed a new tax increment financing district for 30th and Topeka Boulevard. This means sales and real estate tax revenue generated in this area could pay for future projects. This TIF-zone is currently home to the nearly 70-year-old Meadow Acres Inn. With hopes to spruce up the area, adopting the plan is expected to set up the building’s demolition, as well as construction for a quick service restaurant and up to two commercial buildings.

The city’s economic engine says this development is important, given the high traffic in the area.

“For this area, it’s a major gateway. It is probably one of the most highly trafficked areas for our residents and for visitors alike,” Greater Topeka Partnership SVP of Strategy Michelle Cuevas Stubblefield said. “So, this is one of probably major thoroughfares of first impression that we get because it’s coming on Topeka Blvd from the south and even to the north. So, it’s a really important area that people get at some point in either their life, or as a visitor, you’re going to cross this path.”

The potential developer for this project is Batis Development Company. It boasts clients like Starbucks, Panera, Chipotle and Qdoba. We don’t know exactly what stores would be moving into this location if approved, but we do know the cost attached to the vision of this project is more than 15 million dollars.

27 News will continue to follow this developing story.