heartland visioning community report

Report to the Community

community-wideSuperior

InnovativeTrus

tin

g

dynamicGrowing

Prosperous

Revitalization

Dreamscollaboration

visio

ning

Colle

ctive

Effor

t

HealthyGrass Roots

June 2012

Quality of Life

Three years after the first steps of implementation, Heartland Visioning, alongside our dedicated and committed advocates, continues to look toward the future. Along the way we must recognize all the amazing work that has been accomplished over the past year and a half.

We want to keep things relevant for Topeka & Shawnee County.

We have set goals to review, revise and refocus Heartland Visioning’s process and in 2012 we are focusing on:

• Looking at how well the process is working for us as a community and how we can make the vision process better;

• Reviewing the strategic plan and then taking it back to you, the community, for feedback and approval;

• Building our capacity as a community to implement the vision we set at the grassroots level, to ensure that we have continued energy, expertise and interest to continue the success of the community-wide vision and

• How to better facilitate the work being done for the greatest impact.

In the past three years we have seen great improvements that move in the direction of our vision. We want to build off the successes as we move forward. It’s our time for improvements, growth and prosperity for our citizens to be realized.

We hope to continue to hear from you about what you want to envision for our community.

We all still have work to do, and together we can help Topeka and Shawnee County reach our full potential.

Table of ContentsKey Benchmarks 2

Accolades for the Community 3 Education 4

Quality of Life 4

Infrastructure 4

Government 5

Economic Development 5

Private Sector Leadership 5

Volunteer Recognition 6

Funding Partners Back Cover

It’s OUR Time!

1 It’s OUR Time!

Public Safety

Benchmark:Shawnee County will be the safest county with a capital city and population above 100,000 in the USA.

Status:During 2010, the per capita crime rate in Shawnee County rose to 5,304. This was up from 2009 per capita crime rate of 4,954, an increase of 350 crimes.

The top two crimes in 2010 were burglaries and motor vehicle thefts. This year, property crimes were up 741 crimes .

Key Benchmarks

Dynamic Downtown Topeka

Benchmark:Though the benchmark has not been established for this area, a dynamic downtown is seen as an indicator of success taking place in Topeka and Shawnee County.

Status:December 2011, the City of Topeka contracted RDG Planning & Design to complete a conceptual design for a two block stretch of S. Kansas Avenue from Seventh Street to Ninth Street. Five million dollars has been budgeted by the city for revitalization of Downtown Topeka.

A final conceptual plan was presented on May 8, 2012.

Prosperous Community

Benchmark:Shawnee County’s average wage earned will be .75 percent above the U.S. average.

Status:Shawnee County’s change in average weekly wages earned was below the U.S. average by -1.5 percent. Shawnee County’s average weekly wage for the first quarter of 2011 was $751 versus the national weekly average of $935. We did not meet our benchmark to be .75 percent above the U.S. average.

Growing Community

Benchmark:Shawnee County’s population will increase 1.0 percent annually for 10 years and continue to grow 1.5 percent annually in the next 10 years.

Status:Population growth in Shawnee County was .90 percent in 2010 with the population totaling 177,934. This is an increase from the 2009 population of 176,255. The increase is .10 percent short of the benchmark target of 1.0 percent growth annually.

Additional information on how we grew:

165,000

170,000

175,000

180,000

Shawnee County Population

$0

$200

$400

$600

$800

$1,000

Average Weekly Wage (1st Qtr)

Shawnee County

United States

For more information on community projects visit www.HeartlandVisioning.com and click on Community Report.

Benchmarks are the indicators we use to measure our annual progress. To achieve these benchmarks, residents of Shawnee County will need to work together in unprecedented ways to achieve the community-wide vision set in the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan: The Greater Topeka Region will be a growing, dynamic and trusting community with a superior quality of life.

2

2,500

3,500

4,500

5,500

6,500

7,500

8,500

9,500

Modified Crime Index Rate per 100,000 population

Shawnee County

United States

It’s OUR Time!

• Topeka’s population grew to 127,473; a 2.4 percent increase

• Ages 70-74 was our greatest growth of 955; a 15 percent increase

• Ages 35-39 was our greatest loss of 947; a 10 percent decrease

Please Note: the Quality of Life Benchmark for Arts, Culture and Leisure activities was omitted from this report because the publication “Cities Ranked and Rated” has not been updated since 2004.

Topeka

Top 10 Well-Being Small Cities -- TenthGallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

Top 25 Regional Universities (Mid-West): Washburn University -- 18thUS News & World Report

2011 National Keep America Beautiful AwardsFirst Place Business Litter PreventionSecond Place School Beautification

2011 Top 10 Best Places for Military Veterans to Live -- Sixth

Honorable Mention -- Mars Chocolate North American PlantEconomic Deal of the Year Awards State of Kansas

Top 10 Well-Being States & State Composite Rankings -- SeventhGallup-Healthways Well-Being Index

The success of accomplishing our community-wide vision will only happen because people in our community work together to make it happen. The efforts given and successes accomplished take many forms and paths; while some successes have resulted directly because of the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan, others are a result of efforts started before Heartland Visioning.

None-the-less, we recognize and highlight many actions and successes that help to accomplish the vision of the Topeka and Shawnee County community.

Imagine what Topeka and Shawnee County could be if we all took action and invested in our community’s future versus accepting the consequences of doing nothing. We can explore solutions that we’ve not yet tried and find new ways to take action.

While results may seem slow, quality results are the solutions we strive for.

The following report highlights some of the efforts taking place in Topeka and Shawnee County that are impacting our community-wide vision.

To see what else is taking place in Topeka and Shawnee County or for more information on the things mentioned in this report please visit: www.HeartlandVisioning.com

Community Accolades for 2011:

3It’s Our Time! It’s OUR Time!

It’s Our Time!

Education Quality of LifeKansas Children’s Discovery Center

The Kansas Children Discovery Center (KCDC) opened June 1, 2011. The interactive museaum features exhibits that emphasize math, science and the arts for children of all ages. The KCDC is not only a place to learn, but is an economic attraction. After almost one year of operation more than 83,000 visitors were recorded from 49 states and nine countries.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

Washburn Rural High School (WRHS) has been selected to be an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School. WRHS began offering the IB programme starting with the 2011-2012 freshman and sophomore students from Topeka and the surrounding area. The IB programme is recognized for it rigorous external assessments and global standards. Students can earn credit hours that may be applied to post secondary education.

Education and Business Collaborations

Topeka Public Schools, USD 501, formed new and innovative partnerships with the private sector to enhance the students’ educational experience. Learning opportunities have been created in robotics with Yaskawa Motoman Robotics, in the mental health profession with Valeo Behavioral Health Care and in the medical profession with Stormont-Vail HealthCare. Two programs help provide students interested in health care a career path. Students will learn about careers in the health care industry and learn skills needed to enter the health care profession or continued education in health care.

This Foundation is comprised of three areas of focus:

• Arts, Culture, Recreation and Entertainment,• Public Health and Social Services &• Public Safety.

Parks & Recreation Merger In August 2011, both the Topeka City Council and Shawnee County Commission voted to merge the two parks and recreation departments which took effect in January 2012. The merger is to provide better and more efficient services throughout the county.

In 2012, as a part of the merger a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board was created. With department staff, the board held a listening tour across the county to inovlve citizens in the process of how the new department will serve the community.

North Topeka Arts District

The North Topeka Arts District (NOTO) successfully progressed ahead of their schedule. NOTO has transformed an area that was once full of vacant buildings to a thriving art district that has spurred economic development along North Kansas Avenue.

More than 30 artists are now renting studio space in the arts district. In addition to the artists, 11 new complementary store fronts opened, which include antique stores and even an event space .

In 2012, the district’s their dedicated volunteers:

• Hosted the National Endowment for the Arts Chairman, Rocco Landesman;

• Opened a Saturday Market and• Began their second phase of implementation.

InfrastructureCapital District Project

The Capital District Project (CDP) is spearheaded by a group of volunteers and advocates. The supporters of the CDP continue to lead the way for revitalizing Downtown Topeka for all of Shawnee County.

At the end of 2011, the City of Topeka contracted RDG Planning & Design and their Topeka based partners Cook, Flatt & Strobel, HTK Architects and Lattimer, Sommers & Associates to develop a conceptual design for South Kansas Avenue from

Seventh Street to Ninth Street. A final conceptual plan has been presented to the city council.


4It’s OUR Time!

I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct

Preliminary planning to replace the I-70 Polk-Quincy Viaduct was completed in 2011. What is now a dangerous roadway with a 90 degree turn will be replaced with a safer design that provides easier access to Downtown Topeka.

The Infrastructure Foundation has invested hundreds of hours to ensure the project remains a collaboration between key stakeholders and the project team comprised of KDOT, the MTPO, City of Topeka and Bartlett & West. The construction is projected to be completed in late 2016.

Government Economic DevelopmentImproved View of Government

The Joint Economic Development Organization (JEDO) made its meeting records available on-line at Topeka.org. JEDO is the group who administers the half-cent sales tax for economic development and infrastructure improvments, They also began televising their periodic meetings on the city of Topeka’s community channel, City4.

In addition, the city of Topeka began televising the City Council’s pre- and post-meeting work sessions on City4. Our elected officials who sponsored these efforts wanted to make local governments’ actions more visible to the whole community.

Intergovernmental Cooperation Council (ICC)

The ICC updated its charter and by-laws to sustain its purpose and intent of sharing information across governmental organizations. At their regular meetings, the ICC discusses matters of mutual concern, share best practices and ask questions for the benefit of participating members. The members are representatives of governing authorities in Shawnee County.

Mayor’s Sharing Ideas

Heartland Visioning’s Government Foundation Team hosted quarterly meetings for the five mayors within Shawnee County. The goal of inviting the mayors of the five municipalities: Auburn, Rossville, Silver Lake, Topeka and Willard is to share challenges and best practices on issues each face.

The goal for 2012 is to continue to facilitate these gatherings to help the continuation of exploring what the five municipalities have in common and how to solve similar challenges.

Mars Chocolate

Mars Chocolate North America unveiled their plans to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Topeka’s Kanza Fire Commerce Park. Mars broke ground June 2011 for its first new manufacturing facility in North America in 35 years and is expected to begin production in 2013.

GO Topeka worked with JEDO to create the incentives that helped Mars Chocolate select Topeka.

Bimbo Bakeries

In 2010, Bimbo Bakeries built an innovative manufacturing plant in Topeka in the Central Crossing Commerce Park. The first production line at the bakery began operating in June 2011. By September, Bimbo Bakeries opened their second production line ahead of schedule. The plant has added more than 52 skilled labor jobs to the Topeka community. After the facility is at capacity, there will be 110 (58 additional) jobs. The estimated 10 year economic impact in the Topeka and Shawnee County area is $1,113,612.

Visit Topeka

A wide variety of groups and organizations come to Topeka each year which diversifies our economy. Visit Topeka works with community partners to bring events and ultimately visitors to Topeka. Last year, Visit Topeka brought $38,674,961 into our community through direct spending as a result from sporting events, conventions and group tours including: • Kansas Kids Wrestling Tournament -- $2.8 million• Sunflower State Games --$2.7 million• Kansas Future Business Leaders of America Annual Conference --

$727, 200• German Shepherd Dog Club of America National Specialty Show

-- $1 million• NAHL Robertson Cup -- $2.3 million

Private Sector LeadershipLeadership Greater Topeka

Leadership Greater Topeka (LGT) brings together a diverse cross section of the Topeka and Shawnee County community to learn about challenges the community faces. Over the course of five months, LGT participants learned how they, as individuals can impact community issues. In 2011, LGT graduated 36 professionals and students and in 2012, 37 class members graduated.

LGT began in 1984 and has more than 860 alumni.

Leadership Challenge Event

Washburn University’s Leadership Institute created the Leadership Challenge Event (LCE). The first of its kind event challenges students to use their leadership skills in a life-like simulation while competing for top honors.

The 2011 event brought 16 high school and college teams from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Creating an estimated economic impact of $30,000.

The 2012 event brought 18 high school and college teams from Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

5


It’s OUR Time!

It’s Our Time!

Aaron Kipp, Benchmark Team

Abby Howard, Steering Committee

Akilah Scott, Benchmark Team

Alicia Salisbury, Government Foundation

Alonzo Harrison, Steering Committee

Angela Lexow, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Anita Wolgast, Chair of Arts, Culture, Recreation and

Entertainment; Co-Chair NOTO Arts District Development

Ann McCullough, Steering Committee

Armond Enclarde, Education Foundation

Barb Quaney, NOTO Arts Center Steering Committee

Barbara Waterman Peters, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Barry Beagle, Infrastructure Foundation

Barry Feaker, Co-Chair Public Safety

Ben Tenpenny, Co-Chair Government Foundation

Beth Fager, Steering Committee

Bette Allen, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Mayor Bill Bunten, Steering Committee

Bill Moore, Past Co-Chair Heartland Visioning

Bob Carmichael, Economic Development Foundation

Bob Hedberg, Benchmark Team

Bob Sachs, Infrastructure Foundation

Brad Reiff, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Bradley Jennings, Blues & BBQ

Brian Adams, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Bridget Aeschliman, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Dr. Brenda Dietrich, Steering Committee

Bryan Sowers, Education Foundation

Bryon Schlosser, Chair Private Sector Leadership

Carol Bradbury, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Carole Jordan, Blues & BBQ

Carol Wheeler, Steering Committee

Carolyn Campbell, Education Foundation

Carrie Koch, Education Foundation

Charlene Robuck, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Cherie McGinnis, Communications Committee

Chris Huntsman, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Chris Irwin, Education Foundation

Chris McGee, Steering Committee

Christy Caldwell, Government Foundation

Chuck Bradley, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Cindi Morrison, NOTO Arts Center Steering Committee

Cindy Koger, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Cody Bird, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Collin Billau, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Dale Cushinberry, Steering Committee

Darrell Six, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Darrin Hermesch, Education Foundation

David Heit, Infrastructure Foundation

Dawn Wright, Infrastructure Foundation

Debra Clayton, Capital District Project

Denise Walsh, Co-Chair Economic Development Foundation

Dennis Taylor, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Donavene Liggett, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Doug Jones, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Doug Kinsinger, Administrative Committee

Doug Markham, Education Foundation

Doug Sterbenz, Chair Benchmark Team

Doug Wallace, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Ed Gonzales, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Ed Letourneau, Benchmark Team

Eileen Caspers, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Eric Johnson, Economic Development Foundation

Eric Rea, Economic Development Foundation

Erin Aldridge, Steering Committee

Esmond Alleyne, Infrastructure Foundation

Fred Martinez, Steering Committee

Fred Patton, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Garry Cushinberry, Steering Committee

Gary Piland, Website

Gayle Burns, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Gina Millsap, Co-Chair Heartland Visioning

Glenda Overstreet, Steering Committee

H.R. Cook, Steering Committee

Harry Craig, Co-Chair Heartland Visioning

Hildegard McManus, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Jack Cobos, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Jamie Hornbaker, Communications Committee

Janlyn Nesbett-Tucker, Steering Committee

Jean Gardner, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance & Saturday Market

Jeff Mott, Education & Private Sector Leadership Foundations

Jeff Russell, Government Foundation

Jenny Torrence-Harris, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Dr. Jerry Farley, Past Co-Chair Heartland Visioning

Jill Lira, Communications Committee

Jim Maag, Education Foundation

Jim Ogle, Steering Committee

Jim Parrish, Chair Infrastructure Foundation

Jim Rinner, Capital District Project

Joe Fritton, Government Foundation

Joey Embers, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

John Dicus, Steering Committee

John Hunter, Chair Quality of Life; Co-Chair NOTO Arts District Development

John Ringgold, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Joleen Miller, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Keith Warta, Infrastructure Foundation

Kent Nicolay, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Kevin Carr, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Kim Ribelin, Steering Committee

Kris Kitchen, Economic Development Foundation

Larry Buening, Blues & BBQ

Larry Montgomery, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Larry Peters, NOTO Arts Center Steering Committee

Larry Robbins, Co-Chair Economic Development Foundation

Laura Kelly, Steering Committee

Les Streit, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Linda Carr, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Lisa Adame, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Lisa Cusick, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance & Saturday Market

Lonnie Williams, Economic Development Foundation

Lori Keegan, Steering Committee

Lori Rowe, Benchmark Team

Lucky DeFries, Co-Chair Economic Development Foundation

Lynn Hultquist, Infrastructure Foundation

Marie Pyko, Education Foundation

Mark DeGroff, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance & Saturday Market

Mark Rezac, Economic Development Foundation

Mark Thiel, Infrastructure Foundation

Marsha Sheahan, Administrative Committee

Martha Bartlett Piland, Steering Committee

Marvin Burris, Education Foundation

Maynard Oliverius, Steering Committee

Meg Williams, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Melinda Armstrong, NOTO Arts Center Steering Committee

Michael Bradley, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee

Michelle De La Isla, Capital District Project

Michelle Stubblefield, Government Foundation

Mike Morse, Capital District Project

Miriam Krehbiel, Administrative Committee

Nancy Armstrong, NOTO Arts Center Steering Committee

Nancy Johnson, Chair of Public Health & Social Services

Nancy Perry, Education Foundation

Natalie Wang, NOTO Arts Center Steering Committee

Neil Dobler, Capital District Project

Neil Fisher, Education Foundation

Nick Guerrero, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Olivia Simmons, Economic Development Foundation

Orian Jordan, Blues & BBQ

Pam Renovato, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Patrick Woods, Steering Committee

Phil Elwood, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Randy Speaker, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Renee Johnson, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Rick LeJuerrne, Economic Development Foundation

Rio Cervantes-Reed, Steering Committee

Roger Viola, Administrative Committee

Roxanne Kelly, Economic Development Foundation

Ruby Bradley, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance

Ryan Gigous, Government Foundation

Ryan Wenrich, Capital District Project

Sally Zellers, Co-Chair Public Safety

Sarah Strydom, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Scott Gales, Capital District Project

Shawn Smith, Benchmark Team

Shay Gooden, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Shelly Bedsaul, NOTO Business/Marketing Alliance & Saturday Market

Shelly Buhler, Co-Chair Government Foundation

Sherry Glenn, NOTO Saturday Market Committee

Stacey Woolington, Administrative Committee

Suki Willison, Blues & BBQ

Terry Neher, Economic Development Foundation

Tom Clothier, Private Sector Leadership Foundation

Tom Ellis, Education Foundation

Tom Moses, Economic Development Foundation

Tomari Quinn, Steering Committee

Tricia Schmidt, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee & Saturday Market

Val Patterson, NOTO Arts Center Steering Committee

Vanessa Fechter, NOTO Arts Center Steering Committee

Vann Anderson, Economic Development Foundation

Vicki Buening, NOTO Arts District Steering Committee; Blues & BBQ

Vince Frye, Steering Committee

Contact Us785.231.6006 | 785.234.8856 (f )

120 SE Sixth Avenue, Suite 110Topeka, KS 66604

[email protected]

It’s Our Time! It’s OUR Time! 6

Special thanks to the numerous volunteers* who have dedicated their time and talents to helping our community reach our full potential. Without them we would not be making progress toward reaching the Community-Wide Vision.*Many individuals from the community have stepped forward to move the community-wide vision forward; we realize this may not be a complete list and apologize for any ommissons. We sincerely thank you for your help and support, regardless if your name is listed below.

Allyn LocknerBartlett & WestBlue Cross and Blue Shield of KansasBrewster PlaceCapital City BankCapitol Federal FoundationCity of TopekaCommunity National BankCoreFirst Bank & TrustCox CommunicationsCumulus RadioDowntown Topeka, Inc.Dr. Mark & Mrs. Nancy SaylorDynamic Computer Solutions of TopekaFHLBank TopekaFoley Equipment CompanyGO Topeka/Topeka Chamber- Private FundsHallmark Cards, IncorporatedHeartland Park TopekaHill’s Pet NutritionINTRUST BankKaw Valley State Bank & TrustKBS ConstructionKonni Flynn

KS Commercial Real EstateMartin Tractor Company, Inc.M-C Industries, Inc.McPherson Contractors, Inc.Metropolitan Topeka Airport AuthorityParrish Hotel CorporationPTs CoffeeSecurity Benefit GroupShawnee CountySt. Francis Health CenterStormont-Vail HealthCareT and T Management Co - McDonalds RestaurantsTopeka & Shawnee Counmty Public LibraryTopeka Capital-JournalTopeka Community FoundationUnited Way of Greater TopekaUS BankValeo Behavioral Health CareVisionBankVisit Topeka, Inc.Washburn UniversityWestar EnergyWIBW Channels

2012 Funding Partners*

120 SE Sixth Avenue, Suite 110Topeka, KS 66603

A special thanks to our funders.

You are truly visionairies for our community. Without your passion for our community, collaboration wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for you continued dedication for the success of the Greater Topeka Region.

*Funding Partners as of 5/31/2012

heartland visioning community report

Documents