The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-08-23
OFFICE BUILDING
AND BIC THEATER
Still Another Project for South
Kansas Avenue Growth.
Chicago Capitalists Would Add
to Their Hotel Plans.
12-STORY STRUCTURE At 9Th
Theater Would Be on Site
Selected South of Tenth.
Details at Meeting OF Greater
Topeka Association Tonight.
"BILLY" SMITH IS IN TOWN
Noted Chicago Hotel Expert In
vestigateS Needs in Topeka.
"City Like Store With CObweb
in Front Window"
Theater Would Be on Site
Selected South of Tenth.
Details at Meeting of Greater
Topeka Association Tonight.
"BILLY" SMITH IS IN TOWN
Noted Chicago Hotel Expert In
veStigates Needs in Topeka.
"City Like a Store With CObweb
in Front Window"

IOAJ w IhOVhs
An enormous building program, in
Guiding a new 22S-room hotel, twelve
story office building and modern thea
ter will be discussed tonight when the
Greater Topeka association holds its
second meeting at lines garage.
Eleventh street and Kansas avenue.
j was authoritatively stated today
that Chicago f.nanciers VINO have
entered into a contract to handle the
bulk of Expense in construction of the
proposed Tenth avenue hotel have
also offered to guarantee construction
Of a twelve-story office building at
Ninth and Kansas avenue.
Interest in the South Kansas
avenue building project was given
new impetus today and aroused
kcencr and wider interest with the
unfold. .ns of new plans The proposal
carries with it the original Renker
hotel plan at Tenth and Kansas
avenues 1t also embodiCs the pro-
posal for twelVe-story fireproof
office building ON the Ninth and Kan
Sis avenue site. In ~addition is a
proposal for a modern theater build
ing south of Tenth avenue. 1t is re-
ported that this site has been agreed
upon. The building location. tho, may
not be announced until later.
Investigators in the employ of
Chicago capitalists, who have agreed
to finance the Renker hotel plan if
Topeka will insure stock subscriptions
aGgrcGating $15O.OO0. have reported
on = number of locations. City and
statewide interest in the Subscrip-
tilns was aroused today when 1t was
stated by representatives of the Chi
cago firm that other building projects
are in contemplation.
Firm Is Investigated.
While the office building plan has
not reached the contract stage, it was
announced today that reports of in
vestigators recommend the Nintn
street site for big, modern, fireproof
office building that will eclipse any
general office structure in Topeka.
1t was declared that the Chicago firm
had agreed to finance the office build
ing project and the matter will be
discussed at tonight's meeting Re-
Gently a special committee, represent
ing the Greater Topeka association,
investigated the standing of the Chi
cago interests behind the Renker hotel
pl ojcct. Their report, which will be
given tonight. is declared to state that
the firm is not only capable of carry
ing out its agreements but has rec
ord for successfully promoting its
building plans.
More than 100 persons attended the
original Renker hotel meeting last
week Attendance at tonight's meet
ing is expected to be large. The dis
cussicns will be open to the public and
a general invitation to attend has been
extended business and professional
men and women as well as property
owners.
According to statements today the
Chicago financiers have successfully
managed building and operation of
number of big hotels, office buildings
and theaters The plan which is out
lined for Topeka would call for at
least $2.500,000 worth of building pro-
iects on south Kansas avenue. The
Renker hotel plan calls for a 22S room
hcstelry of modern construction to
cost-including site. building and fix
tures--not less than $S5O,00O
Profit in Office Building
1t was indicated in statements to-
day that negotiations would be opened
at once for handling of the office
building plan at Ninth and Kansas
avenue Investigators have reported
that construction of twelye-story
general office building on the site
would prove a profit earning invest
ment.
The theater plan may also be dis
cussed tonight. Details of this phase
of development on South Kansas ave
nue. have not been entirely worked
out 1t was stated in a formal an
nouncement by the Greater Topeka
Tenth avenue had been agreed upon.
The theater plan will be carried out,
it was declared, if the hotel and office
building projects succeed.
Tonights meeting is expected to re-
suit in immediate organization of a
stock selling plan to insure construc-
tion of the hotel. AS soon as this
construction is assured, it is declared
that the office building and theater
plans will be undertaken.
BILLY" Smith in Town.
Comparing Topeka with a store
with cobwebs in the window w. B.
CBilly') Smith, of Chicago, we'll
known hotel owner and builder. today
asserted that no other Institution is
so vital to the growth and proGresS of
the city as a good hotel.
Smith made the assertion that there
IS money in the hotel business, and
cited a dozen examples to prove it.
Having watched the hotel project in
Topeka for four years. he has now
come here to "unravel, the skein" and
start the ball to rolling that will re-
SULTAN a new hostelry for the Kansas
capital.
Things are all tied up. In a knot
here" he declared. I'm not here be-
cause think 1 know shy more about
the hotel business tinan anyone else
but I'm here to unravel the skein."
Smith. who is associated with Wal
ter A. Alschlager. of Chicago, will at