September 4, 2008

City Staff

Topeka City Council Members

City Hall

215 S. 7^th Street

Topeka, Ks. 66603

In 2006,Community First, Inc., began the task of restoring the Landmark Historic Sumner School for the purpose for which it was originally intended. Community First Inc. committed to this rehabilitation effort, has expanded its initial effort to better address the needs of Sumner’s neighbors and community.

The programmatic features of the Sumner School project will result in a “comprehensive

family-centered educational, recreational, and social services programs”, designed to meet the needs of families from birth through the golden years.

Community First, Inc. is fully aware of the city’s budget constraints and is sensitive to the needs of the city. With the understanding of the assortment of growing needs of our community, we at Community First believe the Sumner project is timely as its purpose is to serve as a community hub. The in kind service the project offers to the city and other non-profit organizations could serve to expedite the establishment of needed senior and youth services.

Community First, Inc. will dedicate approximately 11,000 square footage for the city’s use for the purpose of providing vital senior programs. The board envisions this use to include services similar to those provided by the Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Meals on Wheels, Adult Care and any other senior needs the city identifies as a good fit.

It is difficult at this time to place a dollar value on an in-kind contribution of this nature; however we will work to provide this figure to you in the near future. In keeping with Community First’s dedication to the growth and service of the community, we offer this space to the city for an initial period of five years with the option to expand this dedication of space and contribution based on the needs and desires of all parties involved.

Likewise, Community First, is also willing to dedicate and additional 20,000 square-footage of the Sumner project for the city’s use in providing youth support services to include, but not limited to educational opportunities, recreational, music, arts and the like.

Although Community First is happy to dedicate this space for such purposes, we strongly urge the city to consider designating the Sumner grounds as a Gun Free, Alcohol Free and Drug Free Zone. We feel this designation would guarantee a positive and safe environment for the duration of the programs anticipated this contract. Again, we are working to provide an estimated value of this in-kind contribution to you very soon.

In our efforts to move forward and to fund the necessary work on the structural aspects of the building itself,

Community First has found it necessary to obtain some form of title of the property to the organization. Our efforts have been hindered by the inability to obtain

valuable grants identified as meeting the goals and needs of the project.  We respectfully request the City to acknowledge the value of the organization’s offer of the in-kind donation of space in the calculation of the payment obtained from Community First.

Additionally we strongly believe that the conveyance of title and /or rights to proceed with the restoration will signal to other potential donors and funding sources that this project has the ability to move forward for the sake of the community.

Thus far, this project has been a wonderful opportunity to invigorate the spirit of the volunteerism and community in a manner not seen in Topeka in our recent past. We at Community First consider it an honor to have watched the rise of spirits and imagination along the way. We simply ask the City for further opportunity to push the project into reality and true service for Topeka.

It is our understanding that should this contractual agreement be deemed voided, the City Council could request submission of another RFP or decide to auction the building. In making its next decision, we ask the Council to acknowledge that Community First has

worked vigorously over the past nine months to bring about the restoration of a legacy in our nation. If, additional interested parties are identified, Community First respectfully request, the Council to consider a possible partnership arrangement which would join the efforts and vision already established as opposed to creating a competitive type situation.

We strongly believe it is time to “Save Americas Treasures.” Our historic sites and our children truly are our treasures. Over the past four months focus groups, community meetings have been held gaining input from the public for the Heartland Visioning Strategic Plan. The draft plan contains, a” call to action”. The plan states, “Our quality of life is diminishing. We are slowly dying on the vine.”

“By making our community attractive to young workers, we will grow business and our economy, expand our tax base, lower each individual’s taxes and provide ALL citizens with a growing, prosperous, dynamic and trusting community where ALL citizens enjoy a rich quality of LIFE.”

LET ‘S WORK IN CONCERT; NOT IN COLLUSION- IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE.

Community first has been the catalyst to save this Landmark Historic site from demolition. We have initiated the awareness that resulted in the National Preservation agency’s May 2008 decision to include Sumner School on the endangered list of historic buildings. This designation will assist in obtaining valuable historic tax credits and other funding allowable under our contract. We have raised awareness that the Ward-Meade area is the most blighted residential area in close proximity to downtown where approximately 30,000 people traverse in and out of downtown daily.

Because of Topeka’s honor as the centerpiece of desegregation of American public schools, Community First plans to continue future CLEAN-UP efforts at the Landmark

Historic Sumner School site.

Sumner was built in 1878 for African American children and reconstructed in 1901 for White children. Now, some 130 years later, it is our goal to restore and preserve Sumner for ALL children.

Community First has complied with the contract in terms of:

* Rezoning Application. Completed and returned to Kevin Rooney.

Vance Kelly of Treanor Architect been asked to finalize the process with Planning.

* A ten year budget and business plan has been submitted.

* Phase I- Environmental Site Assessment, authorized by Treanor, submitted.

* Survey of property per Dennis

* Termite inspection completed by Paramount Pest Control

*  Community First has invested $35,000 in professional services for this project and has

$21,500 secured for the purchase of the building.

* Community First relied upon pledges and private donors, instead of loans.

*Community First is eligible for  $1,080,000 in Historic Tax credit

*Community First is eligible for $1,000,000 in grant funding sources

*A special thanks to Mark Nusbaum (Topeka Capital Journal) for a substantial contribution as well as WIBW advertising.