These 10 construction projects across Topeka were the biggest pitched in 2023

Stacey Saldanha-Olson, Topeka Capital-Journal
·3 min read

In 2023, Topeka saw $101.2 million in private and public construction costs for the top 10 largest building projects.

"These types of capital expenditures not only represent a commitment by local employers to invest in Shawnee County," GO Topeka president Molley Howey said, "but they also mean jobs for contractors and residents of our community who have worked and will contribute, to bring these projects to life."

Among the highest include education, medical, administrative and commercial construction projects.

"This list represents a sample of the many expansions and new builds that are helping the Topeka area grow one building, one campus and one company headquarter at a time," Howey said.

Following are the top 10 building projects submitted for approval in 2023.

Auburn-Washburn Middle School

A new middle school for Auburn-Washburn USD 437 cost $47.3 million to build at 2800 S.W. Auburn Road.
A new middle school for Auburn-Washburn USD 437 cost $47.3 million to build at 2800 S.W. Auburn Road.

A new school is being built at 2800 S.W. Auburn Road. This was the most expensive building project of the year. The project will cost $47,361,994, according to city documents. The new school will serve as a second Washburn Middle School that is expected to be completed for the 2025-2026 school year.

Shawnee County Courthouse renovation

Building permits for renovations to the Shawnee County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th St., have totaled $10 million with the overall project cost at $14.48 million in federal COVID-19 relief money.
Building permits for renovations to the Shawnee County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th St., have totaled $10 million with the overall project cost at $14.48 million in federal COVID-19 relief money.

The county renovated the courthouse located at 200 S.E. 7th St. The overall project was estimated to cost $14.48 million but was closer to $10 million. The renovation was paid using federal COVID-19 relief money. After the renovation is completed, the building will be more eco-friendly, and the HVAC system will be replaced.

Stormont Vail Cancer Center addition and renovation

The addition and renovation to the Stormont Vail/Cotton O'Neil Cancer Center, at 1414 S.W. 8th Ave., cost $8.9 million and was completed this year.
The addition and renovation to the Stormont Vail/Cotton O'Neil Cancer Center, at 1414 S.W. 8th Ave., cost $8.9 million and was completed this year.

Stormont Vail spent $8,927,713 to expand its cancer center at 1414 S.W. 8th Ave. The expansion was completed at the beginning of the year and is now fully operational.

Let's Help relocation

The relocated Let's Help charity is now at 245 S.W. MacVicar Ave. and cost $6.5 million.
The relocated Let's Help charity is now at 245 S.W. MacVicar Ave. and cost $6.5 million.

Topeka-based charity Let's Help found a new location at 245 S.W. MacVicar Ave. and spent $6.5 million to move locations in 2023. Let's Help had to leave its 200 S. Kansas Ave. location because of a project to replace the Polk-Quincy Viaduct in downtown Topeka.

Topeka Collegiate

An expansion to Topeka Collegiate at 2200 S.W. Eveningside Drive is expected to cost $6 million.
An expansion to Topeka Collegiate at 2200 S.W. Eveningside Drive is expected to cost $6 million.

Topeka Collegiate, 2200 S.W. Eveningside Drive, is spending $6 million to expand the building. According to the school's website, the renovations will help improve safety. Regular updates on the construction can be found on the school's website.

Evergy

A $5.5 million renovation to the second floor is expected to be completed this year to the Evergy building at 800 S. Kansas Ave.
A $5.5 million renovation to the second floor is expected to be completed this year to the Evergy building at 800 S. Kansas Ave.

Evergy spent $5.5 million to renovate the second floor of its building at 800 S. Kansas Ave.

Great Plains United Methodist Church

Great Plains United Methodist Church has spent $4.9 million on a building permit for a new conference building at 100 S. Kansas Ave.
Great Plains United Methodist Church has spent $4.9 million on a building permit for a new conference building at 100 S. Kansas Ave.

The Great Plains United Methodist Church spent about $4.9 million to build a new conference building located at 100 S. Kansas Ave.

Torgeson Electric Company HQ

A new headquarters facility at 1400 N.W. Saline St. cost Torgeson Electric Company $4.5 million.
A new headquarters facility at 1400 N.W. Saline St. cost Torgeson Electric Company $4.5 million.

Torgeson Electric is an employee-owned company that opened in Topeka. The company paid $4.5 million to construct a headquarters facility at 1400 N.W. Saline St.

Topeka Municipal Building

Replacing the HVAC system at the Topeka Municipal Building, 215 S.E. 7th St., cost the city $4 million.
Replacing the HVAC system at the Topeka Municipal Building, 215 S.E. 7th St., cost the city $4 million.

The city of Topeka spent $4 million to replace the HVAC in city hall, 215 S.E. 7th St.

Stormont Vail Cardiovascular Outpatient Center

Stormont Vail spent $3.5 million to renovate the Cardiovascular Outpatient Center, 1500 S.W. 10th Ave., this year.
Stormont Vail spent $3.5 million to renovate the Cardiovascular Outpatient Center, 1500 S.W. 10th Ave., this year.

Stormont Vail spent an additional $3,525,000 to renovate the Cardiovascular Outpatient Center, 1500 S.W. 10th Ave. The hospital received $100,000 from the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation for the project, according to the hospital's website. The expansion is to update with the latest advancements in cardiac care and to respond to a growing need in the region.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: These Topeka construction projects were the 10 biggest pitched in 2023