Deep Dive: Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority v. Rural Development Corporation (Shawnee County Case No. 19-CV-816)
The case Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority v. Rural Development Corporation, docketed as 19-CV-816 in Shawnee County District Court, represents a commercial dispute rooted in Topeka's aviation and real estate ecosystem. Filed in 2019, it pits the MTAA—a public authority managing Topeka's airports and industrial properties—against Rural Development Corporation (RDC), a local development firm led by Robert "Bob" Zibell. While full docket details remain inaccessible via public online portals (Shawnee County's case search requires in-person or fee-based access), MTAA board meeting records illuminate the underlying tensions over leases, payments, and development rights. This suit aligns with broader patterns of litigation involving MTAA's property management, echoing a 1997 appellate case where Zibell testified as a witness. No media coverage or appeals were found, suggesting a low-profile resolution, possibly via settlement.Parties Involved
Filed amid 2019 lease negotiations (case prefix "CV" denotes civil), the suit likely alleges breach of contract—unpaid rents, utilities, or maintenance fees—common in MTAA's portfolio. RDC's delays may tie to development hurdles, like zoning or economic shifts pre-COVID. Zibell's history suggests no malice; his 1997 testimony highlighted MTAA's infrastructure needs, positioning him as a partner-turned-adversary.Timeline and Proceedings
- Plaintiff: Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA)
Established in 1977 by Kansas statute, MTAA oversees Topeka Regional Airport (FOE) and Philip Billard Municipal Airport, spanning ~2,000 acres of leasable industrial land. It generates revenue through hangar leases, warehouse developments, and services like fire protection. Leadership includes President Eric Johnson and Development Director Curtis Sneden. MTAA's suits often enforce contractual obligations in its economic development role. - Defendant: Rural Development Corporation (RDC)
A Topeka-based entity focused on commercial real estate, particularly aviation-adjacent properties. RDC, under President Robert E. Zibell (also known as Bob Zebell in local references), develops warehouses and hangars. Zibell, a longtime Topeka figure, has deep MTAA ties: He owns Million Air (a fixed-base operator at FOE) and testified in MTAA's 1997 fire liability case, advocating for hangar upgrades. RDC's projects include retail-anchored sites near I-70, benefiting from MTAA's logistics incentives.
Date | Key Event from MTAA Board Packets |
|---|---|
Sep. 17, 2019 | Zibell, via representative, requests lease renewal for RDC's site, emphasizing development potential. |
Oct. 15, 2019 | Public comment by Zibell on expired lease extension. |
Nov. 19, 2019 | Zibell urges board to extend lease amid expiration talks. |
Mar.–Aug. 2020 | Partial payments noted for RDC invoices; finance charges accrue on balances (e.g., March–June 2020). |
Oct. 2020 | Ongoing partials for March invoice; escalation implied. |
Nov. 2020 | Charges tied to specific building; full payment urged. |
Apr. 2021 | Continued partials for prior months. |
Jun. 2021 | Payments received but disputes persist. |
- Filing (2019): Shawnee County District Court (Third Judicial District). Exact date unavailable publicly, but aligns with November board pleas.
- 2020–2021: Payment disputes dominate MTAA minutes, implying litigation pressure.
- Resolution: No appeals or outcomes in Kansas appellate records. Likely settled out-of-court, given MTAA's preference for amicable developer relations. Post-2021 minutes omit RDC, suggesting closure.
Henry McClure
Time kills deals
785-383-9994
www.henrymcclure.live
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