TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – The main business remaining on the former White Lakes Mall site is now the new owner of the property.
Mainline Development Group, LLC is purchasing the land. John Parker, Jr., chief operating officer of Mainline Printing, confirmed the deal to 13 NEWS. He said the deal was finalized Wednesday morning.
Parker said the company is excited to have more control over its neighborhood. You mentioned that their long-term goal is to establish a business park, with a focus on warehousing and manufacturing businesses. The 22-acre site is located between Topeka Blvd. and S. Kansas Ave., between SW 37th St. and SW Croix Ave.
Greater Topeka Partnership CEO Matt Pivarnik applauded the news during an appearance on Eye on NE Kansas. He said the Parker family is a great partner in the Topeka community and will bring good things to the property.
“To be able to celebrate that what was screwed up and something that we were, frankly, just embarrassed about, we’re now going to see some developments there and from a really reputable organization in the mainstream press,” he said.
Mainline has faced several frustrations from the previous owners of the property, KDL, Inc. Mainline sued KDL in March 2021, saying it made no repairs following a December 2020 fire and was in breach of the ownership agreement for years due to a lack of repairs or improvements made to the condemned property.
The demolition of the mall finally began in March 2022 and has been completed within the past year.
Parker said he wanted to see something positive come to the property and is willing to be patient for the best outcome.
He said they have no plans for further expansion of Mainline Printing’s footprint on the property. He said they continue to have plenty of space in their main facility and the former Gordmans building. The company announced last July that the latter location would be part of a planned $10 million expansion.
