Amid questions, city of Topeka sets public hearing on southwest TIF District

The shopping center formerly known as “Villa West” and owned by developer Kent Lindemuth stands in a “pretty prosperous part of town,” Topeka City Councilwoman Karen Hiller said at Tuesday’s council meeting.

She questioned whether it would be appropriate for the city to provide tax-increment financing to help carry out improvements planned for the property at S.W. 29th and Wanamaker Road by the Kansas City developer who bought it last year.

“One of the things we’re supposed to look at is whether that (a TIF District) is really needed in terms of attracting an investor,” Hiller said. “Do we subsidize just because somebody let a property run down and somebody else was able to buy it inexpensively?”