Topeka City Council unanimously approved a housing study implementation plan that aims to combat housing inequity and the residual effects of redlining policies in Topeka. Establishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund to help fund housing projects, creating a landbank, and expanding weatherization and weather proofing of homes were listed as “tier A” priorities to address in 2021. A “Take 2 Tenancy” program to provide people better opportunities to rent housing even with past blemishes — like evictions — on their housing record, focusing on seniors and their housing needs, rehab assistance and downtown area housing were listed as “tier B” priorities that “need more planning in 2021 before they are activated.”
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

The Ramada in downtown Topeka will receive sales tax assistance after city council unanimously approved a Community Improvement District. A CID is a 2% sales tax on retail purchase, but the tax increase is not citywide. The sales tax increase in this CID is “generally described as the Downtown Ramada Hotel & Convention Center,” according to the CID ordinance. Jim Parrish, the president and CEO of Topeka-based Parrish Management Corp., applied for the CID district to help fund improvements to the Ramada, 420 S.E. 6th. Parrish, a managing member of Jefferson Street Partners, told the Topeka City Council last week he wanted to add more apartments to the Ramada to adapt to the changing market.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal

Schools will have more flexibility in opting out of a key mandate requiring them teach a certain number of hours per year under a proposal approved by the State Board of Education Tuesday. Under state statute, districts must offer at least 1,116 of instruction per year for most students, a measure designed to ensure uniform levels of schooling across the state. But the state elected in March to give districts the option of waiving the attendance requirements for schools, with many forced to cancel classes or offer online instruction in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. State education commissioner Randy Watson said that most schools across the state are back offering in-person instruction, although some of the larger districts are still offering online or remote instruction.
Source: Local News | Topeka Capital-Journal