Topeka council approves RHID and development agreement for Johnson Betts Meadows

The Topeka City Council voted May 12 to create the Johnson Betts Meadows Reinvestment Housing Incentive District (RHID) and approved a development agreement for a 176‑unit housing project on Southeast 31st Street north of Fremont.

Leah Boling, the city’s director of economic development, told the council the project carries an estimated total cost of $53,500,000 and that the development agreement sets a maximum RHID reimbursement of $4,600,000 paid on a pay‑as‑you‑go basis over 25 years. Boling said the development would include 106 project‑based vouchers and a mix of income‑restricted units: 61 units at 40% of area median income (AMI) or less, 27 units tied to 30% AMI, and additional units at 60% AMI or lower.

The council opened a public hearing and heard one public commenter, Christopher Diley, who asked how people experiencing long‑term homelessness would access voucher‑supported units. City staff and representatives indicated they would connect him with housing services after the hearing.

Council members asked detailed questions about the developer fee, the RHID "but‑for" test (staff said the project met the test), and safeguards that ensure developers are current on taxes, fines, and code compliance before receiving incentives. Staff said the developer must pay city‑incurred legal and advisory review costs and that the city would require certifications from the developer, with staff to verify outstanding violations as part of due diligence.

Councilmember Bradbury moved to approve the ordinance establishing the RHID; Kell seconded. The clerk recorded eight yes votes and the motion carried. The subsequent approval of the development agreement passed on a separate roll call after Councilmember Ortiz joined online; the clerk recorded nine yes votes.

The development team described in staff materials includes Mesner Hoppe JV Development LLC as developer, Johnson Betts Meadows GP LLC as general partner, and financing from US Bank National Association and affiliated investors. Staff said THA (Topeka Housing Authority) retains a right described in the agreement to purchase the developer’s ownership interest once the developer fee is paid, which staff said affects how the fee is treated in financial analysis.

Next steps noted by staff include formal adoption of the ordinance, execution of the development agreement, and continued administrative review and verification of developer certifications. The council also directed staff to provide additional details on typical applicant fees and to bring policy updates through the Policy and Finance Committee to codify certain due‑diligence practices.

The council took no further action on the item at the meeting.