The Topeka City Public Health & Safety Committee convened on July 16, 2025, to address ongoing issues related to vacant properties and the operations of the city's land bank. The meeting began with a focus on the challenges posed by vacant properties, which have been a persistent concern for the city.

Rhiannon Friedman, the Planning and Development Director, introduced Quinn Cole, who leads the land bank initiative. Cole provided an overview of the land bank's purpose, established in May 2023, which aims to facilitate the reuse of abandoned or underutilized residential properties. The land bank operates with a fund balance of $500,000 for a three-year pilot period, acquiring properties through donations, purchases, or tax sales, and subsequently forgiving outstanding taxes and addressing code violations.

Currently, the land bank has an inventory of nine vacant lots, three of which are located in the Lawrence Bay area. Cole highlighted the first successful transfer of a vacant parcel in the Central Park neighborhood to Capital Realty LLC for $500. The developer plans to construct a three-bedroom, one-bathroom home, targeting a selling price between $110,000 and $125,000. This initiative aims to create affordable homeownership opportunities in the city.

The committee discussed next steps for the land bank, including the goal of acquiring at least one property with an existing structure by the end of 2025. They also plan to enhance collaboration with Shawnee County regarding the tax sale process and to revamp marketing efforts to increase community engagement with the land bank.

Concerns were raised during the meeting regarding the handling of properties from Lawrence Bay, particularly those with outstanding taxes and special assessments. One committee member expressed skepticism about the land bank's approach to these properties, suggesting it could lead to financial mismanagement.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue addressing vacant properties and improving the land bank's operations, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and partnerships in revitalizing Topeka's neighborhoods. The committee plans to provide updates on their progress in future meetings.