City of Topeka mulls spending $8.9 million more for City Hall renovation costs

Staff members for Topeka’s city government recommend the city’s governing body add nearly $8.9 million to the current $8.2 million the city plans to spend for a project to renovate City Hall. The city’s governing body last year approved revisions to the city’s Capital Improvement Plan that raised the total cost to about $8.2 million for its project to renovate the building, constructed in 1939, that houses City Hall on the north at 215 S.E. 7th and the Topeka Performing Arts Center and Topeka Municipal Court on the south at 214 S.E. 8th.

City staff members suggest the governing body earmark nearly $8.9 million more to cover a revised project cost, including current commitments and expenditures, of $17,094,613.50, according to the agenda packet document.

“This amount would require a budget amendment of $8,894,613.50 to complete the project as proposed,” that document said. “The approach to the renovation was comprehensive,” the document said. “The design team evaluated current and future needs of building operations, including synergies between city divisions and space needs of building occupants. TreanorHL completed a historic assessment to ensure design maximized tax credit eligibility and respected the history of the building. The mechanical, electrical and plumbing design reflects best practices for sustainability and reducing energy costs.”

The City Hall building is eligible for historic tax credits to finance renovation projects because it is part of the South Kansas Avenue Commercial Historic District established in 2015 by the National Park Service.