Email Thread Summary: Gage @ 37th ROW Landscaping (June 9–10, 2026)
Overview
This is an ongoing email exchange between Henry McClure (MCRE, LLC) and Joseph A. Harrington (City of Topeka), with CCs to City Clerk, Mark Schreiner, Public Works, and others. The topic is improvements to the public right-of-way (ROW) parkway area at SW 37th Street & Gage Boulevard — specifically, finishing the area from the back of the curb/sidewalk to the property line with zero or low-maintenance treatments instead of standard turf.
Chronological Summary
- June 9, 2026 (Henry to Joe): Henry sent a detailed Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking landscaping/hardscaping contractors for zero/low-maintenance ROW improvements (permeable pavers, stabilized granite, rock mulch, xeriscaping, etc.). The RFP emphasizes compliance with Topeka Municipal Code, Public Works permits, drainage, safety, and erosion control.
- June 10, 9:12 AM (Joe to Henry): City prefers Tall Turf Fescue, fertilizer, and mulch only in the area between sidewalk and property line. No other options mentioned initially.
- June 10, 9:14 AM (Henry to Joe): Suggested a meeting to discuss.
- June 10, 9:15 AM (Joe): Replied “Okay.”
- June 10, ~12:39 PM (Henry): Updated on site progress (Fit Construction did good work) and requested help mitigating damages, including working around guy wires.
- June 10, 2:10 PM (Joe): “Sounds good. We will discuss this and get back to you.”
- June 10, ~3:06–3:13 PM (Henry): Follow-ups emphasizing urgency to mitigate damages and requesting help with humility.
- June 10 (Latest from Joe, ~after 3 PM): Positive update — The City is open to reviewing a landscaping plan. They still prefer fescue as the standard for the ROW, but property owners can propose improvements that increase functionality and aesthetics. Public Works and Planning will collaborate on review if Henry submits a detailed plan.
Current Status
The conversation has progressed positively. The City has moved from a strict “turf only” stance to willingness to review custom low-maintenance proposals. Next logical step is for Henry to prepare and submit a landscaping plan (potentially incorporating elements from the RFP) for formal review by Public Works and Planning.
This thread demonstrates constructive dialogue, with the City showing flexibility while maintaining standards, and Henry pushing for practical, cost-effective long-term solutions given the property hold period.
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 9:15 AM
To: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Cc: City Clerk <cclerk@Topeka.org>; Mark Schreiner <MSchreiner@Topeka.org>
Subject: RE: Gage @ 37th
Okay
From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 9:14 AM
To: Joseph A. Harrington <jaharrington@topeka.org>
Cc: City Clerk <cclerk@Topeka.org>; Mark Schreiner <MSchreiner@Topeka.org>
Subject: Re: Gage @ 37th
Notice: -----This message was sent by an external sender----- |
We should have a meeting to discuss this.
From: Joseph A. Harrington <jaharrington@topeka.org>
Sent: Wednesday, 10 June 2026 09:12:02
To: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Cc: City Clerk <cclerk@Topeka.org>; Mark Schreiner <MSchreiner@Topeka.org>
Subject: RE: Gage @ 37th
Henry-
I don’t think that the City is going to want you to place anything between the sidewalk and your property line except for Tall Turf Fescue, Fertilizer, & Mulch.
From: Henry McClure <mcre13@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 6:00 PM
To: Joseph A. Harrington <jaharrington@topeka.org>
Cc: City Clerk <cclerk@topeka.org>
Subject: Gage @ 37th
Notice: -----This message was sent by an external sender----- |
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) Zero/Low-Maintenance Right-of-Way (ROW) Parkway Improvements SW 37th Street & Gage Boulevard Area, Topeka, KS
Issued by: Henry McClure, MCRE, LLC Date: 6 / 9 / 2026 Proposal Due Date: ASAP Contact: Henry McClure | Phone: 785-383-9994 | Email: mcre13@gmail.com
1. Project Overview
MCRE, LLC seeks qualified landscaping and hardscaping contractors to submit proposals for improving the public right-of-way (ROW) parkway area along the subject property at/near SW 37th Street and Gage Boulevard, Topeka, Kansas. The goal is to finish the area from the back of the curb to the property line with durable, zero or low-maintenance treatments that comply with City of Topeka standards.
Key objectives:
- Minimize or eliminate ongoing mowing, weeding, irrigation, and other maintenance.
- Ensure proper drainage, safety, sight lines, and no obstructions.
- Obtain necessary Public Works permits (if required) and meet all TMC requirements for street parkings/ROW landscaping.
Estimated Area: [Insert sq ft or dimensions, e.g., "approximately X linear feet along the frontage, Y feet deep from back of curb to property line"]. Typical residential ROW in Topeka is around 60 ft total width; confirm exact limits with Public Works.
2. Scope of Work
Contractors must provide turnkey services including:
- Site assessment, utility locates (Kansas One Call), grading/drainage corrections, and erosion control.
- Design and installation of approved zero/low-maintenance surfaces (e.g., permeable pavers, stabilized decomposed granite, rock mulch/xeriscaping with native drought-tolerant plants/groundcover, or approved hardscape).
- All materials, labor, equipment, and restoration.
- Coordination with City of Topeka Public Works for any required ROW permits and inspections.
- Warranty: Minimum 1-2 years on materials and workmanship, with provisions for City-required restoration if disturbed.
- Removal/disposal of existing materials (if applicable) and final cleanup.
Prohibited or Restricted Items (per typical ROW rules):
- Non-permeable surfaces causing runoff issues.
- Items that obstruct utilities, drainage, sidewalks, or sight triangles.
- High-maintenance elements (e.g., extensive turf, unapproved sprinklers extending into ROW).
3. Proposal Requirements
Submit one (1) digital PDF proposal including:
- Company Profile: Experience with municipal/ROW projects, references (especially in Topeka or similar Kansas cities), licenses, insurance, and bonding capacity.
- Approach & Design Concepts: 2-3 options with descriptions, materials, estimated lifespan, maintenance needs (target: near-zero), and visuals/renderings. Address drainage, permeability, and durability.
- Detailed Cost Breakdown: Lump sum or unit prices, including permits, materials, labor, contingencies. Separate design vs. installation if phased.
- Timeline: Project schedule from award to completion.
- Compliance Statement: Confirmation of adherence to Topeka Municipal Code (Titles 8, 12, 18), Public Works standards, and any other regulations.
- Exceptions/Alternatives: Any proposed deviations with justification.
4. Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Compliance with City codes and low-maintenance goals (30%).
- Experience, references, and qualifications (25%).
- Cost/value (25%).
- Design quality, innovation, and timeline (15%).
- Overall responsiveness (5%).
5. Timeline
- RFP Issued: [Date]
- Questions Deadline: [Date]
- Proposals Due: [Date, Time] to [email/address]
- Contractor Selection: [Date]
- Project Completion Target: [Date]
6. Terms & Conditions
- The owner reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, waive informalities, or negotiate.
- Work must comply with all applicable laws; contractor responsible for permits/insurance.
- Payment terms: [e.g., 30% deposit, progress payments, final upon acceptance].
- Insurance: General liability, workers' comp, etc., as required.
- This is not a contract; award is subject to negotiation of final agreement.
Questions: Direct all inquiries in writing to Henry McClure by [deadline].
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to your proposals.
Henry McClure MCRE, LLC
Gage @ 37th ROW Landscaping Email Thread – Bullet Timeline Summary (For Your Records – June 9–10, 2026)
- June 9, 2026 – Henry initiates Sent detailed RFP to Joseph A. Harrington for zero/low-maintenance ROW parkway improvements (back of curb/sidewalk to property line). Options highlighted: permeable pavers, stabilized decomposed granite, rock/gravel mulch, xeriscaping, native ground covers. Emphasized TMC compliance, Public Works permits, drainage, safety, and erosion control.
- June 10, 9:12 AM – City initial response (Harrington) Stated City preference for Tall Turf Fescue + fertilizer + mulch only in the area between sidewalk and property line.
- June 10, 9:14 AM – Henry reply Suggested holding a meeting to discuss the issue.
- June 10, 9:15 AM – Harrington Replied “Okay.”
- June 10, ~12:39 PM – Henry update Reported positive progress with Fit Construction on site; requested assistance mitigating damages and help working around guy wires.
- June 10, 2:10 PM – Harrington Confirmed they would discuss internally and get back to Henry. (Public Works added to thread.)
- June 10, ~3:06–3:13 PM – Henry follow-ups Reiterated urgency to mitigate damages and requested help with humility.
- June 10 (Latest ~after 3 PM) – Harrington positive update
City is open to reviewing a landscaping plan.
- Standard preference remains fescue.
- Property owners may propose improvements that enhance functionality and aesthetics.
- Public Works and Planning will collaborate on review.
Current Status (as of June 10, 2026): Positive momentum. City has shifted from “turf only” to willingness to review custom low-maintenance proposals. Next step: Prepare and submit a detailed landscaping plan for formal review.
