Banks for Mayor

The Maverik Project: A Missed Opportunity for Sales Tax Growth

A clear recent example is the proposed Maverik convenience store and fueling station at SW 6th Avenue and Fairlawn Road. This project offered strong potential to boost Topeka’s sales tax revenue through retail sales, fuel, and traveler services along a key I-70 corridor. Maverik’s modern format typically draws customers efficiently while creating jobs and signaling that our city welcomes responsible investment.

Councilmember Dave Banks advocated for practical development and worked to align support. However, the project encountered significant hurdles related to traffic concerns on Fairlawn Road and proximity to nearby schools. While these issues deserved careful review, the overall process highlighted a gap in proactive mayoral leadership. A mayor focused on economic development could have played a pivotal role by:

• Serving as the city’s chief salesman — personally engaging stakeholders, highlighting the revenue and job benefits, and addressing valid neighborhood concerns through targeted mitigations (such as traffic improvements or design adjustments).
• Acting as a coalition builder — working closely with council allies like Dave Banks to secure the necessary votes and build broader consensus.
• Prioritizing sales tax growth — championing projects that expand our revenue base without increasing property taxes on residents.

In the end, the council voted to reject key aspects of the rezoning proposal. While local input is important, this outcome represents a lost chance to capture additional economic activity in a competitive retail environment. Stronger mayoral facilitation in similar cases could help balance community feedback with growth objectives.

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