TOPEKA — A Topeka racetrack owner doubts his property will survive if the property tax bill remains high, saying that the facility faces “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in repairs.
Owner Chris Payne declined an interview with The Topeka Capital-Journal, but instead relayed information through his attorney, Wes Carrillo. He says Heartland Park Topeka has deteriorated quickly in the last few years and now has cracked tracks, broken water pipes, perforated roofs and piles of garbage.
Payne estimates that Heartland Park would need to net a profit of $27,000 monthly, or $324,000 yearly. He says that with an annual tax bill of nearly $342,000, he believes the operating cost will surpass the park’s revenue.
Payne appealed the county appraiser’s assessment of the property as worth nearly $9 million in March. He’d like to see the value closer to $2.55 million.
