Decision to demolish Topeka’s White Lakes Mall the right call

Years of neglect make resuscitating the abandoned mall a lost cause

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Editorials

September 23, 2021 - 9:59 AM

Topeka's White Lake Mall will be torn down by year's end after sitting empty for 14 years.

Topeka’s White Lakes Mall is coming down. A time-worn eyesore, it’s past due.

That the city has to cough up an estimated $2 million in demolition fees doesn’t sit well, of course. But the location on Topeka Boulevard is such prime real estate that, over time, officials figure they’ll recoup the costs with new development. 

That’s the thing about retail space. It gets old fast. 

A building’s ambiance — how it smells and looks — goes a long way in helping market its products.

Successful businesses know that continual upkeep is always worth the investment.

In the case of White Lakes, attempts to attract new tenants had become increasingly difficult over its 57-year history.

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