TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) A lawmaker is raising questions about plans to move several state agencies out of a municipal building in Wichita, even though city officials offered to remodel and reduce the rent.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Rep. Jim Ward says he’s unsatisfied with the reasons state officials have given for planning to move out of the Finney State Office Building next year. The Wichita Democrat noted that the city of Wichita offered to drop their rent from $11 per square foot to about $6 per square foot if they renew their lease.
He says the agencies won’t be able to match that rent elsewhere.
About 700 state employees currently work in the building. Most are part of the Department of Children and Families, which says it needs more waiting-room space.
