General Minutes March 2000

GENERAL MINUTES OF TURNAROUND TEAM MEETING

I. Agenda - Vote to Approve: Chair Karen Hiller asked if there were additions to the agenda. There were none.

II. Minutes - February 28, 2000 - Vote to Approve: copies were not brought to the meeting; they will be approved at the April 24, 2000 meeting.

III. Old Business

A. Washburn-Lane Parkway Update - David Leamon

David reported he received a letter from the City recommending the City Council approve $22,000 for benches, trees, landscaping, etc. for the first leg of the Parkway. If received, the monies must be spent by 5/31/00. David talked to Jeff Hunt, City Engineering Office, who is reviewing the Parkway implementation plans. The plans will be finalized within two weeks, specifications will be let for bids in about three weeks, and construction should begin mid-May. We also applied for a Neighborhood Empowerment Fund grant for $80,000 for engineering for the next leg of the Parkway. Since the monies would have to be spent by 5/31/00,this proposal will be held over to be considered in the next allocation period. David received a letter from John Dugan, City Planning Office, stating a Master Plan for the Parkway is required to be integrated into the Topeka-Shawnee County Comprehensive Metropolitan Plan. We have four planning documents dated 1995 to 1998 which will be integrated into one Master Plan; David and a Task Force will meet with John Dugan to begin the integration process, and a report will be ready for the April 24, 2000 TurnAround Team meeting. David will also be meeting with KDOT staff to discuss the Tea-21 Transportation Enhancement Application to be considered for bicycle lanes and enhancements along the Parkway.

Discussion followed regarding maintenance of the Parkway, specifically the emptying of waste receptacles. Dave Graverson, City of Topeka TurnAround Team representative, stated it isn't the City's responsibility to maintain these receptacles. A suggestion was made to investigate the use of service organizations, such as the Girl Scouts, for this purpose as a Service Project. Maintenance details, such as this, will be decided at a future date.

B. Administrative Update - Joe Swalwell: Joe was not present and no update was presented.

IV. Dillon's Focus

A. Introduction - Karen Hiller: Karen introduced the "Dillon's Committee": Karen Hiller, Marc Galbraith, Pam Mullins, and Joyce Ritchey. The team has had three meetings with Dillon's management representatives, who were very accommodating in listening to our concerns regarding the Elmhurst Plaza Store. Before splitting into smaller groups for further discussion, the entire group offered the following reasons as to why "Why Dillon's is important to us":

Convenient location
Promotes other business to locate in the area
Historic Elmhurst Plaza location, would be a huge void if the store closed down
No retail in the area would indicate neighborhood deterioration
Small store size more convenient for some people, such as the elderly
Dillon's makes contributions to the community including donations to fund-raising activities
Transportation outside the area isn't convenient for some area residents
Dillon's Pharmacy is a great service as well as the post office services
Good source of employment for the area
Racial issue at the store was handled correctly which demonstrates an understanding of the diversity of the neighborhood

B. Dillons Store Performance and Demographics Reports

Pam Mullins reported on Store Performance factors for this location, including the following:

Dillon's is owned by Kroger Companies, the largest grocery company in the U.S.; this translates into strict capital constraints for individual stores Most shoppers use this Dillon's location as a "Kwik Shop" rather than making large grocery purchases
Dillon's has no plans for major upgrades to this store location

Marc Galbraith reported on demographic factors for the area, including the following:

The last market study Dillon's performed for this area wasn't favorable in that income levels are lower than other areas of the City where their stores are located, and "rooftop density" levels aren't within their approved range
Demographic projections based on 1990 census data predict a 4.8% loss in population in the area, but a slight increase in income levels data. This translates to a stagnant population with a low percentage increase in income levels.
As 1990 census data is outdated, we may have to turn to other data sources which we would have to pay for. A grant for a new market analysis, such as the type Lawrence Kilduff uses, is an option for discussion.

Karen shared other items discussed with Dillon's in the three meetings with them, as follows:

Drive-through pharmacy is a change Dillon's is considering
Deli's, salad bars, and Chinese Kitchens are the most expensive options to staff and maintain
Facade enhancement being considered due to rotting timbers in current facade
Removing video rental area to allow more room near store entrance
Vending certain items such as ice cream outside the store Joyce Ritchey also showed Dillon's management pictures of the former Elmhurst Plaza Shopping Center with the original grocery store and Tudor facade.

C. Breakout Groups (Jim Daniel, Dave Graverson, Dick May, Clardy Vinson, and Sally Zellers served as facilitators). Karen stated there are no limits on ideas and suggestions that can be proposed in the break-out groups tonight. The group was then split into five smaller groups, each with a facilitator and forms to be completed. The input from the small groups will be gathered together to present to Dillon's at our April meeting with them.

D. Reports from Break Out Groups: Each facilitator recapped the input from their group.

The combined results from the five breakout groups is attached.

People who are interested in improving the quality and image of Central Topeka, particularly people who live in or own property in the Central Topeka area from Monroe to MacVicar and 21st to the Kansas River, are particularly encouraged to attend. For further information, call 234-2883.