Look at this

Leigh, 

We need to look at taking the land away for Go Topeka and put it in the Land Bank   

This is Lawrence  

The **Catalyst Incentive Program** is a special, temporary economic development initiative by the City of Lawrence, Kansas, designed to attract and support **new industrial projects**. Launched in 2017 (with expansions and renewals over time), it provides streamlined, expedited incentives for qualifying developments to stimulate growth, particularly in designated business parks and industrial-zoned areas.

### Key Features and Incentives

The program offers an automatic "basic assistance package" for projects meeting minimum eligibility criteria, with approvals handled directly by the City Commission for faster processing. Core components of the **Catalyst Business Park Assistance** package include:

- **10-Year Real Property Tax Abatement**: 50% abatement on the increased property value from the project; increases to **70%** if the building achieves LEED Silver equivalent standards (certification not strictly required, but encouraged for the higher rate).

- **Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) Financing**: Includes a **sales tax exemption** on construction materials and equipment used in the project.

- **Land Assistance** (in select cases): City- or county-owned land provided at **no cost** for projects in Lawrence VenturePark or East Hills Business Park.

Additional perks may apply based on project specifics, such as location on brownfield sites (which can help toward LEED goals) or expansions of existing buildings (abatement applies only to the expanded portion).

### Eligibility Criteria

The program targets **new spec development** (speculative buildings ready for tenants) or **full build-out industrial projects**. Minimum thresholds vary by location:

- **Lawrence VenturePark**: New buildings ≥75,000 sq ft with ≥$5 million capital investment.

- **East Hills Business Park**: New buildings ≥25,000 sq ft with ≥$1.6 million capital investment.

- **Building Expansions** (anywhere): ≥15,000 sq ft added with ≥$1 million investment.

- **IG-Zoned Land Citywide**: New buildings ≥25,000 sq ft with ≥$1.6 million investment.

Projects must be industrial in nature and meet other city economic development standards. Spec or full-build projects hitting these marks qualify automatically for the base package.

### Program Status and Sunset

This is explicitly a **temporary program**. It is set to **sunset on April 1, 2025**, meaning no new applications or approvals will be accepted after that date unless the City Commission extends or replaces it. (As of early 2026, available information confirms the sunset has passed or is imminent, with no indications of renewal in recent public records.)

The program has been used for various industrial projects since inception, contributing to job creation and investment in Lawrence's business parks.

### Comparison Context (to Topeka)

Unlike Topeka's more general, discretionary fee reductions (capped at 25% via City Manager approval for economic projects), Lawrence's Catalyst Program focused on aggressive, predefined tax abatements and exemptions tailored to industrial growth. It offered fuller, longer-term relief (e.g., 50-70% property tax breaks over 10 years plus sales tax exemptions) but was limited to industrial sectors and specific sites—making it more targeted and generous in those areas than Topeka's broader but shallower approach.

For the most current details (especially post-sunset status or any successor programs), check the City of Lawrence's official economic development page at lawrenceks.gov/ed/catalyst or contact their Economic Development division directly. Lawrence continues to offer other incentives through programs like affordable housing policies or general IRBs.

LOOK

Topeka and Lawrence, two mid-sized Kansas cities, both offer economic development incentives to attract projects, spur growth, and address challenges like rising construction costs and housing needs. However, their approaches to **development fee waivers** (such as building permits, planning applications, or related charges) differ in scope, flexibility, and focus.

### Topeka's Approach to Development Fee Waivers

Topeka provides limited, discretionary fee relief primarily through its Municipal Code (Section 109.6). The City Manager has authority to **waive or reduce fees up to 25%** for qualifying economic development projects. This is reviewed case-by-case, based on project scope, type, and public benefit—such as job creation, redevelopment, or community impact.

- This tool supports broader economic initiatives, including commercial, retail, or mixed-use developments tied to tools like Community Improvement Districts (CIDs).

- Examples include potential waivers for infrastructure-related costs or specific affordable/charitable housing scenarios (e.g., past discussions on emergency or nonprofit housing).

- Waivers are not automatic or full; they cap at 25% and require approval, reflecting a cautious, performance-oriented stance.

- Topeka's incentives emphasize consistency across projects, with no broad full waivers standardly available outside targeted cases.

This limited flexibility helps offset developer burdens from inflation and high construction costs but stops short of aggressive relief to avoid straining city revenues.

### Lawrence's Approach to Development Fee Waivers

Lawrence offers more targeted and sometimes fuller fee waivers, often integrated into specific programs like affordable housing incentives or industrial development.

- For **affordable housing**, the city has a dedicated policy (including a 2025 draft Affordable Housing Incentive Policy) that allows **planning and development fee waivers** to promote 99-year affordable units for households at or below 80% Area Median Income (AMI). These waivers can be full or substantial when projects meet criteria like income-restricted units and public benefits.

- Recent examples include the City Commission approving an $80,000 fee waiver for the 9 Del Lofts II project in East Lawrence (2025), conditional on adding more affordable units to boost eligibility for state tax credits.

- The **Catalyst Incentive Program** (temporary, sunsetting in 2025 for new industrial projects) waives city application fees and Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB) origination fees for qualifying industrial developments.

- Waivers appear more project-specific and generous in sectors like housing and industrial growth, often tied to broader incentives (e.g., grants, land donations, or tax abatements) under the city's Economic Development Policy.

Lawrence's framework prioritizes equity, affordability, and targeted sectors, enabling fuller waivers in high-priority areas compared to Topeka's percentage-based cap.

### Key Comparison

- **Scope and Generosity** — Topeka caps at 25% discretionary reduction (via City Manager approval), making it more conservative and broadly applicable to economic projects. Lawrence allows potentially full waivers in focused programs (e.g., affordable housing or industrial), providing stronger relief for aligned developments.

- **Focus Areas** — Topeka ties waivers to general economic development (e.g., CIDs, redevelopment). Lawrence emphasizes affordable housing and industrial growth, with recent actions showing willingness to waive significant fees (e.g., $80,000 cases) to secure state/federal leverage.

- **Consistency and Process** — Both require case-by-case review and alignment with policy goals. Topeka stresses uniform application to avoid favoritism; Lawrence integrates waivers into structured policies (e.g., housing toolkit or Catalyst program) for transparency.

- **Impact on Developers** — Amid rising costs (e.g., 4-6%+ annual construction inflation), Lawrence's targeted full waivers may better "give a pass" in priority sectors, potentially attracting more housing or industrial deals. Topeka's 25% cap offers meaningful but partial help, encouraging projects while protecting city funds.

Both cities use waivers strategically to combat economic pressures and foster growth without broad tax hikes. Lawrence appears more aggressive in housing-related relief, while Topeka maintains a balanced, limited approach suitable for diverse projects. For specific proposals, developers should consult current city policies, as incentives evolve (e.g., Lawrence's Catalyst sunsetting in 2025). Contacting economic development offices in either city can provide tailored guidance.

CID

Topeka Residents: Rally for Community Improvement Districts and Fee Waivers to Fuel Equitable Growth

 

**By Henry McClure, Topeka Resident and Advocate**

 

TOPEKA, Kan. – As Topeka stands on the brink of significant revitalization, Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) emerge as a vital tool for driving economic development without imposing immediate tax burdens on residents. These districts, enabled by Kansas law, facilitate targeted investments that spawn new projects, generate employment, and elevate our community's overall appeal. With developers grappling with unprecedented challenges like skyrocketing construction costs and persistent inflation, now is the time for Topeka to not only champion CIDs but also waive development fees to ensure inclusive, sustainable progress for all.

 

CIDs function as specialized districts designed to fund enhancements in designated areas, typically via a modest sales tax addition—ranging from 1% to 2%—levied exclusively within the district. This isn't a citywide tax increase; it's a focused charge on transactions from the new development, ensuring no upfront costs to existing taxpayers. The essence is simple: Without the project, there's no tax. But with a CID, Topeka gains thriving retail, commercial, or mixed-use spaces that might otherwise remain unbuilt.

 

The incentive power of CIDs is transformative. In areas plagued by blight or underuse, developers often encounter financial hurdles that render projects unviable. By redirecting a share of the project's future sales tax to cover costs like infrastructure, utilities, or site work, CIDs close these gaps. This "but-for" mechanism guarantees that developments proceed only with district support, converting dormant sites into vibrant economic hubs. Take the 911 Walnut project at SW 32nd Terrace and Topeka Boulevard, which utilized a 2% CID sales tax to attract $15 million in investment, including fresh dining and shopping options.

 

The rewards for Topeka are undeniable: soaring property values, job creation, and amplified local tourism and facilities. All this without tapping general funds or hiking taxes across the board today—the income stems directly from the project's vitality, creating a symbiotic benefit for developers and the community.

 

To harness CIDs' full potential, Topeka must enforce a uniform policy. The city's guidelines, revised in 2025 through Resolution No. 9625, detail a review process by a committee and governing body, with sales tax rates up to 2% in increments. Yet, inconsistencies arise, raising equity issues. When the city awards a 2% incentive to prominent or government-supported ventures—like the California Crossing Shopping Center CID—that benchmark should extend to all eligible projects, irrespective of the developer's profile or project size. Uniformity dispels favoritism and grants "everyday" developers fair access, democratizing community investment.

 

Recent updates, such as aligning CID application fees with other incentives at $5,000, underscore Topeka's dedication to efficiency. By committing to a single, steadfast policy, we promote transparency and inclusivity, avoiding capricious alterations based on influence.

 

Moreover, to truly propel growth amid today's economic headwinds, Topeka should waive development fees for qualifying CID projects. The city already permits the City Manager to reduce permitting costs by up to 25% for economic development initiatives under Municipal Code 109.6, recognizing their value in spurring progress. But given the burdens developers face, a full waiver—or at least an expansion beyond 25%—is warranted. Construction costs have surged, with national indices showing a 6.6% rise over the past year and projections for 4-5% inflation in non-residential building in 2025-2026. In the Midwest, including Kansas, material prices for steel, concrete, and lumber remain elevated due to supply chain volatility and tariffs, while labor wages outpace general economic growth. Overall inflation hit 2.7% in December 2025, with housing and energy costs climbing even faster, eroding developers' margins.

 

These pressures—compounded by Kansas-specific forecasts of 6% cost escalation in FY25 and 10% in FY26—make it tougher to launch community-boosting projects. Waiving fees like building permits, planning applications, or site plan reviews (which can total thousands per project) would alleviate this load, enabling developers to invest more in quality and innovation. This isn't a handout; it's a strategic pass to foster growth, keeping overall project costs manageable and accelerating Topeka's expansion. Precedents exist, such as fee waivers for charitable housing, proving the city's flexibility in supporting vital developments.

 

Looking forward, embracing CIDs with consistent policies and fee waivers positions Topeka as a developer-friendly hub. Reach out to your city council to endorse these measures and insist on equitable implementation. United, we can cultivate a dynamic city where growth be

Fw: Links to our properties

You might want to start looking for a real deal. 

We just toured the market. 

---

From: Moreno, Rob <rob.moreno@wyndham.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 12:53 PM
To: mcre13@gmail.com <mcre13@gmail.com>; wible.pd@gmail.com <wible.pd@gmail.com>
Subject: Links to our properties

 

click links below for more information on each brand

LaQuinta, Hawthorn, Dual Brand - New Construction and Conversion

ECHO Suites, Microtel, AmericInn, Wingate, & Baymont - New Construction

 

 

Rob Moreno

Director, Franchise Development

La Quinta, Hawthorn, ECHO Suites, Microtel

AmericInn & Wingate

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc.

M 720 490 9091

rob.moreno@wyndham.com

www.wyndhamdevelopment.com

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