College Hill plan near completion
5:02 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The development is at the corner of 17th and Washburn across from Washburn University.
Developer Henry McClure shows us around the latest addition to the College Hill Project, a brand new clubhouse that includes workout facilities, a game room and even a theatre.
The project is about 95 percent complete. But McClure still thinks central Topeka is still a prime location despite the fact that the project is targeted to those with higher incomes.
"When you look at Shawnee County, this area is the bull's eye and I think that our project is a winner right in the bull's eye," said McClure.
Central Park neighbor Don Gigous agrees. He thinks the project is good for an area that has had a bad reputation.
"I think it's cleaned up the area and I think that the long term benefit won't be noticed for a year or two, but I think the benefit will be good," said Gigous.
The project has had roadblocks. In January, neighbors were upset by a house torn down to make way for a parking lot for retail customers. The parking lot still has not been approved by the City Council.
"We identified the need for this parking lot two years ago," McClure said. "It's not like we're coming back to the well asking for something new."
And there is a lawsuit with Jerry's Bike Shop that heads to court in October. To help pay for the project, $5.8 million was financed through bonds provided by taxpayers. McClure says leasing out the retail space is key in paying back to bonds to the citizens.
"The community's commitment to the bonds, you're my partner. So it's very important that the retail sales are successful to help retire those bonds," said McClure.
Developers hoped for some commercial zoning changes in Central Park. But residents fought those changes as part of their neighborhood revitalization plan. That plan was adopted by City Council in June and calls for several homes to be revitalized.
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