Former Owner of Topeka Racetrack Sues City for $4 million

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – The former owner of the Heartland Park Topeka racetrack is suing the city of Topeka for more than $4 million.

Jayhawk Racing LLC and Heartland Park LLC allege in the lawsuit that the city breached its contract by not honoring an agreement to purchase the park and assume the plaintiffs’ debt. They also claim the city charged for storm water services for more than 12 years but didn’t ever provide the services.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports city attorney Lisa Robertson declined to comment on the lawsuit.

In June 2014, the city agreed to acquire Jayhawk’s interest in Heartland Park and expand the park’s STAR bond district. After several problems arose, the city decided in May 2015 not to finance the purchase with $5.5 million in STAR bonds.