City manager: Hotel Topeka sale on track for July 14; city to hold public meetings on fire station relocation

City Manager Perez told reporters that staff will meet with the Topeka Development Corporation next Tuesday to seek authorization for closing documents related to Hotel Topeka, and that the planned sale to Endeavor Hotel Group remains on schedule to close July 14.

Perez also highlighted a recent tire takeback effort and an upcoming event: the city collected more than 1,200 tires at a June event and has scheduled another takeback for July 11; city residents may bring up to 10 tires and must present a driver’s license to verify residency.

On emergency services infrastructure, Perez said the city has a fire station relocation plan aimed at improving four-minute response coverage across areas where response times have increased—some neighborhoods are seeing response times rise toward seven minutes. He said public discussions will be held at four sessions: July 6 at the Topeka Zoo (McFarland Japanese Garden venue), July 9 at the Oakland Community Center, July 11 at the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library, and July 15 at the Garfield Community Center.

Perez described operational considerations under study, including station base space, female facilities and equipment fit; he said some existing stations require physical changes to accommodate apparatus. The city will begin public conversations about programming capital funds in the 2030 capital improvement plan that relate to new station construction.

Officials provided a contact number (property maintenance unit: 785-368-3161) for residents seeking details about the tire takeback event.