The completion of the MacVicar Avenue widening project was celebrated Monday during a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony at the MacVicar and Story Street intersection.

The $6.9 million project was completed 15 working days early and on budget. The project included widening the street from two to five lanes and relocating a major water main. Two lanes of traffic were maintained for all but five days during the nearly 19 months it was under reconstruction.

 The project was funded by federal transportation funds ($2.6 million), state economic development funds ($300,000), private assessment district funds ($2.0 million) and City bonded funds ($2.0 million).

 The design firm for the project was PEC, Inc. and the contractor was Dinkel Construction, Inc., both of Topeka. The City of Topeka and the Kansas Department of Transportation partnered on the project.

Next time you are in the 21st & Topeka Blvd area, take a slight detour over to SW 20th & Western (just west of the fairgrounds) and check out The Great Topeka Mural Wall,  a very cool collection of murals that honors the cultural history and ongoing spirit of Topekans.  It is very unexpected, and interesting.

The mural wall started as a project of the Chesney Park NIA in 2006.  They took a blank wall that surrounds a former city water reservoir in their neighborhood and turned it into a work of art.  With a lot of community involvement since 2006, they have covered about a third of the 900 lineal feet of wall, adding new panels each year.  They plan to continue to add panels each year until they have covered the entire wall.  This is a great example of the creativity and pride many people in Topeka have, and I would like to thank and applaud all those that have had a part in making the mural wall to date. Donations to help continue the wall can be made through the Topeka Community Foundation.  I look forward to next spring and summer when I can go by and see what panel they are adding next!

The City of Topeka Street Section would like to remind residents not to push leaves and other yard debris into the street. Yard debris deposited in the street clogs storm drains causing street and intersection flooding.

 Those caught pushing leaves into the street could be fined.

 Residents are encouraged to deposit yard debris at the City’s Yard Material Recycling Facility just northeast of I-70 and MacVicar between 8 a.m. and noon, and from 1 to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Fees range from $10 and up for dumping.

I take the two recent USDA reports that are critical of the Topeka Zoo’s veterinary care and record keeping – and therefore the overall animal care – very seriously. The Zoo’s primary goal is the well-being of the animals. There are obviously past situations at the Zoo that are not acceptable and we must do everything we can to ensure that such incidents don’t happen again and that superior animal care is given.

 I am therefore calling for an independent top-down review of the zoo with the ultimate goal of implementing best practices in all aspects that lead to better animal care. I will be asking the USDA, the AZA, and Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine to either provide direct assistance with the review and/or direct us to organizations that have experience in raising the overall quality of a zoo’s animal care.

The process will be transparent and we will keep the public informed.   We will be including representation from Friends of the Topeka Zoo and other private supporters.

 Due to a recent vacancy, the City has requested KSU veterinary medicine to provide veterinary care. The City has utilized KSU for veterinary medicine in the past.

 The Topeka Zoo has long been a family attraction and has the strong support of many private supporters. We want to continue those relationships and maintain public confidence concerning animal management.

TransformTopeka is now offering space on our website.

Why advertise on TransformTopeka.com?   Transf

ormTopeom is a blog crg created and maintained by the Board Members of TransformTopeThe purpose is is to provide an avenue for positive communication for the citizens of Topeka and Shawnee County that’s available 24-hours a day, seven days a week.  Members of TransformTopectively seek guk guest bloggers to rt on bot both sides of hot topic issues facing the Topeka area in order to represent the widest variety of opinions possible. By opening up dialog amongst citizens, TransformTopeopes to educatecate people and promote understanding with the goal of transforming Topeka into a better place for all of its citizens and visitors. 

Here are our stats:

• Average unique monthly visitors:                        500
• Average monthly page views:                               1,165
• Average time spent on site:                               2 minutes

Ad Particulars:

Ads are 125 pixels by 125 pixels and appear on all pages of the website. Three ads will be displayed at a time, with the ads rotating at a 3-minute interval or each time a page is refreshed. Only nine ads spots will be in rotation , with six available for paid placement. The other three spots will be made available to non-profit organizations for events or fundraising campaigns.  The following file formats will be accepted for ad space: .jpg, .gif, and .png. Files sh nod nxceexceed . K.

How much does it cost?

• 1-month:           $20
• 3-months:         $50
• 6-months:         $80
• 12-months:        $150

Payment for ad space is due before the ad goes on display.  We accept payment via PayPal or you may mail us a check.

For detapleaseease contact ads@transformtopeka.com.

Volunteers are invited to join Keep America Beautiful for Gage Park Pride Day, October 17 to trim trees, and shrubs, to beautify, clean and improve the park.  They will be working in cooperation with Topeka Tree Team, so bring chain saws, lopers, pruners, and gloves if you have them.  Participating tree care sponsors are:  Custom Tree Care and Hultquist Landscapes.

 Volunteers will meet at 9:00 a.m. with a complimentary lunch at noon.  Meeting place is at the pool parking lot. 

 For reservations and more information contact Keep America Beautiful-Topeka/Shawnee County kabtopsh@sbcglobal.net or call Philicia 235-0845.

Are you looking for something to do this weekend?  Why not support the arts?  Arts Connect is hosting The Arty Party on Saturday, October 17, 2009 from 7pm to 11pm at College Hill Apartments, 1425 SW Lane.  For as little as $35 you can enjoy cocktails, desserts, art and live music.  What more could you want?  If you have some time please check this out.  Say hi to Travis, Ryan, Alissa, and Brandon while you are there.

An early morning fire Wednesday was caused by an electrical malfunction in the attic, fire investigators have determined.

 Firefighters responded around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday to a fire at 2437 ½ SE Michigan Avenue. No one was injured in the blaze that caused an estimated $20,000 in damages to the structure and an estimated $5,000 in damages to the home’s contents.

 For more information contact David Bevens at the number (785) 368-0900.

The Topeka Fire Department responded to a fire at 5:07 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, at 1440 SW Tyler St. 

All occupants had safely exited the building before fire personnel arrived on the scene. 

The fire, which originated in the basement, was determined to be intentionally set and caused an estimated $1,000 in damages to the structure and contents. 

Fire investigators are asking anyone with information about this fire to contact the Topeka Fire Department Tip Line at 368-2488 or Crime Stoppers at 354-0007.