Why hasn’t construction work started yet on the Central Topeka Grocery Oasis?

TOPEKA (KSNT) – Construction for a new grocery store in the heart of the Capital City has yet to get started despite years of planning and fundraising.

The Central Topeka Grocery Oasis is something many locals may be familiar with hearing about ever since it first got started in 2018. The main idea behind the CTGO is to bring a 14,000 square-foot grocery store back to the area of Southwest Huntoon Street and Southwest Lane Street after the former Dillons in that location closed in 2016.

The lack of a grocery store in this area created a “food desert” for locals who must instead travel farther to get access to quality food. The CTGO wants to plug this gap with a new grocery store on one acre of land leased by GraceMed Capitol Health Clinic.

Plans to establish the new grocery store are currently on hold due to a lack in funding. Nadia Arbelo, executive director of the CTGO, told 27 News on Sept. 19 that her organization is still in its funding phase and needs to secure around $3 million in financial backing before it can move forward.

“Nothing is scheduled soon for the groundbreaking,” Arbelo said.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new grocery store was originally planned for early 2025. Despite the hold on the project, Arbelo said it is continuing to attract engagement from members of the community and that the CTGO has entered initial discussions with a potential grocery store for the area.

The CTGO has received support from members of the local community and continues to hold events in Topeka to raise awareness about its mission. To date, it has received several financial disbursements and grants for the construction of a new grocery store.

• Topeka Community Foundation award – $95,000.
• Sunflower Foundation discretionary grant – $10,000.
• American Recovery Plan Act funds – $628,000.

You can learn more about the CTGO by clicking here. If you want to help support this project, click here.

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