RE: Subject: Request Regarding Ownership of GO Topeka Land Holdings

Good afternoon Mr. McClure,

Thank you for your message.  This message serves as confirmation that your email has been received by the council members. 

 

Tonya L. Bailey

Sr. Executive Assistant to the City Council

City of Topeka

215 SE 7th St. Rm 211

785-368-3710

 

“The preceding email message (including any attachments) contains information that may be confidential, protected by the attorney/client or other applicable privileges or that may constitute non-public information. This message is intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s). If you are not listed as a recipient of this message, please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and then delete it from your system. Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this message by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be unlawful.”

From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 11:17 AM
To: Kevin Cook <kevin.cook@snco.us>; Karen A. Hiller <khiller@topeka.org>; MCRE Media <mcre1.9999@blogger.com>
Cc: Governing Body <governingbody@topeka.org>; Robert M. Perez <rmperez@topeka.org>; Bill Riphahn <bill.riphahn@snco.us>; aaron.mays@snco.us
Subject: Subject: Request Regarding Ownership of GO Topeka Land Holdings

 

Notice: -----This message was sent by an external sender-----

 

Dear Councilmember Hiller and Commissioner Cook,

I am writing regarding the approximately 230+ acres of land currently titled to Growth Organization of Topeka/Shawnee County, Inc. (GO Topeka), particularly the large tracts in the Central Crossing Commerce Park area along SW 49th Street and the parcel near Wakarusa.

These properties were acquired and held using public economic development resources. In my view, land of this nature should not remain under the permanent control of a private nonprofit. It should be deeded back to the City of Topeka, Shawnee County, or held collectively by JEDO so that elected officials — and ultimately the voters — retain clear public oversight.

GO Topeka currently exercises significant discretion over these assets with limited direct accountability to the public. That arrangement has allowed the organization to operate with a level of independence that, in practice, can feel like a stranglehold on the community’s ability to set its own economic development priorities. Those days need to end.

I respectfully ask that you consider initiating a formal review of these land holdings and explore transferring title to the appropriate public body (City, County, or JEDO). Public land acquired with public funds should remain under public control.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am available to discuss it further if helpful.

Sincerely,

Henry McClure

Topeka, Kansas

 

 

 

 

MCRE, LLC

3625 SW 29^th Street

Topeka KS 66614

785.383.9994