College Hill Redevelopment Plan

[OPIchabod]

This post is primarily in response to Mary Lou Herring's letter to the editor in the Topeka Capital-Journal (01/13/06) regarding the College Hill Redevelopment plan.
As a WU School of Business major, I've read a working paper conducted by a WU professor that indicated that TIF financing only works to improve jobs and property values if used in a manufacturing or industrial context. The report shows that communities who use TIF for retail and residential development often see the projects fail.
And so in this regard, I agree with Mary's assertion that TIF should not be used for this project.
But I disagree vehemently that the project shouldn't go forward. As a senior, I have seen WU expand and grow during the last four years, and the pride the student body has in regard to the University's expansion is definitely palpable.
But as an upperclassman, I feel that I don't need to live on campus anymore, and haven't for three years. What are my alternatives in Topeka? The newest apartment complex, out on Wanamaker, is out of most college students' price range. Every other apartment complex in Topeka is either 30-40 years old or is in a part of town where no one would want to live.
The College Hill redevelopment is an attempt to add new apartment housing for college students and or young professionals. If College Hill had been renovated three years ago, I can say, without any hesitation, that myself and countless others would be living in College Hill and proving that Topeka can do one thing right.
Let's work together to turn the corner in this project. Washburn needs it, and Topeka needs it more than anyone could ever imagine.

[OPIchabod]

Ms. Herring,

After posting my last message on this board, I had the hope that your desire to support the project without the use of TIF would be simple enough.

However, after listening to your comments at the City Council Meeting a few weeks back, your comments at the County Commissioner's meeting yesterday and your comments in various newspapers, I would appreciate you not using my previous post in future public comments.

You've used people's opposition to eminent domain and TIF as reason to support your view that the project shouldn't go through at all.

Apparently, the county commissioners, the city council and members of neighborhood associations from around Topeka have more insight into the benefits of this project than yourself.

I hope you enjoy your quest to have Topeka remain a city that is the laughing stock of the majority of Kansans, and your quest to have Washburn University revert itself back to a junior or community college that provides fewer benefits to the taxpayers of Topeka and Shawnee County who support it than it does currently or will in the future.

[poapoi]

Given the current status of the college hill project, I wonder if the
washburn business major senior would change his opinion of
whether or not the project should go ahead.
_________________
The truth shall set you free....except at Washburn where it
could get you fired.