College Hill

Firm calls area blighted

College Hill redevelopment likely to face vote by city council at next meeting

Criticism and accolades mingled Tuesday at a Topeka City Council hearing on a consultant's decision that the College Hill neighborhood is in such disrepair that it should be declared legally blighted.

The clashing opinions were intended to influence the council's ultimate decision about public funding for a $22 million redevelopment project of apartments, townhouses and retail space on 7 acres northeast of Washburn University. Without an official declaration of blight, the Washburn Lane Parkway Renovations LLC would be unable to seize $4 million to $5 million in tax-increment financed bonds to help pay for land acquisition and other expenses tied to the redevelopment district.

"Clearly, a majority of businesses in the area are blighted," said consultant Richard Caplan. "We feel well qualified to make this determination."

It was Caplan's consulting firm --- hired by the developer --- that compiled the report on the condition of 40 properties in College Hill that would be consumed by the project. That report concludes the area meets the state's definition of blighted.

People unhappy with the status of the proposed project challenged details in the report.

Darren Downs, speaking on behalf of the owner of Richey T's at 1419 S.W. Lane, said the report indicated the area was without sidewalk curbs that meet codes for people with disabilities. He said there are numerous curb cuts.

"Whoever wrote this blight study, in fact, probably didn't visit the site to see it firsthand," he said.

Another critic said blight was a far too subjective term to dictate economic policy.

"One man's blight is another man's household," said John Cooney, of St. Marys.

The council took no action Tuesday but gathered testimony to prepare for a vote Dec. 13 on whether to establish a tax increment financing district that would serve the redevelopment. The project would cover land from S.W. 13th to 17th streets and from Washburn Avenue to Lane.

Tim Carpenter can be reached at (785) 295-1158 and at tim.carpenter@cjonline.com.

Please see BLIGHTED, Page 5A

Blighted: Details of report challenged

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