I've often ridiculed the place I live - Topeka, KS. While I really don't particularly care for it, there are a few things here and there that I find make living here tolerable. But I'm not going to bore you with the positive things that I could possibly write about tonight.
Hell no!
Recently, the City of Topeka paid $150K for a survey, completed by some consulting group out of Atlanta, GA, to tell them what they need to do to improve the city and make it more attractive to businesses and people. The findings of the survey essentially say that Topeka is unattractive and it "has no sense of place."
Hell no!
Recently, the City of Topeka paid $150K for a survey, completed by some consulting group out of Atlanta, GA, to tell them what they need to do to improve the city and make it more attractive to businesses and people. The findings of the survey essentially say that Topeka is unattractive and it "has no sense of place."
"From an outsider's perspective, the community does not show well and does not present a strong sense of place and identity," according to the report. "While community entry corridors (the roads leading into the city) contribute to this impression, it is the city's lack of a strong city core that is the biggest challenge. There is no sense of vibrancy and no center of gravity that a new-urban center of arts, entertainment and housing would provide."
As I read the article on CJ Online, I couldn't help but think back to the time when my family and I drove here from Omaha, NE for the interview at my current ( and soon to be past ) employer. At the time of that interview it was dreadfully hot and we really didn't feel like driving around all over the city. But the overall perception that we had was that we had no deep, burning desire to move here.
Topeka kind of reminded us of Grand Island, NE because it isn't very big, essentially has one major street where all the restaurants and shopping are located, and no huge, impressive downtown for a city of it's population. Topeka is spread out and the population is approximately 150K. It does have more shopping than one thoroughfare. But you wouldn't really know it around Christmas - or the weekends for that matter. And to be quite blunt, the downtown does suck.
That's about all I could think about at this very time. Actually I can think of more, but that's all I have time for right now. These would be a great start, however.
Topeka kind of reminded us of Grand Island, NE because it isn't very big, essentially has one major street where all the restaurants and shopping are located, and no huge, impressive downtown for a city of it's population. Topeka is spread out and the population is approximately 150K. It does have more shopping than one thoroughfare. But you wouldn't really know it around Christmas - or the weekends for that matter. And to be quite blunt, the downtown does suck.
But what does Topeka really need?
From my perspective, if anyone is really reading this that can have any real impact on the decisions made that could improve this city, there are a few things that might be beneficial.- Support your downtown businesses. I've heard some accounts of how downtown businesses are supported. I find it appalling. It sounds as if the city is all ready to loan money, but when it comes to providing real support to maintaining and fostering growing relationships the city could care less.
- Forget about growing state owned gambling enterprises. Why not invest in something that someone besides adults and senior citizens will find entertaining? Build a resort. Build something that people will want to bring their entire family to, spend their money, and then go home.
- Do something with the zoo. Topeka has the "World Famous Topeka Zoo" or, "The Zoo Where Animals Go to Die." Seriously, invest in this zoo. Build it into something that people want to come and see. There are other zoos in close proximity. Either step up and compete with them and do it better or get out of the game entirely.
- Why not try to lure some technical conferences to the Expo Center? As someone who works in the technical industry, it really bugs me that all the good technical conferences are everywhere else when there is an Expo center right here. I realize the airport is in Kansas City, but still . . . you never know, perhaps it would lure more technical enterprises here to Topeka.
- Do something about the crime. Seriously, there's 150K people in this city and our crime rate is similar to a larger city's. Stop screwing with the statistics and just do the job you're paid to do.
- Get rid of the "destination based sales tax" It's too difficult for many businesses to work with so why keep it? If you want to show that you are business friendly, prove it.
- Stop taxing food. I've never paid sales tax on food ( from the grocery store ) any other place I've ever lived. That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard of. What will you do next? Tax the oxygen we breathe?
- And speaking of taxes . . . they're a tad bit high. Why would anyone want to live here when you're taxing us like we live someplace else.
That's about all I could think about at this very time. Actually I can think of more, but that's all I have time for right now. These would be a great start, however.
