We’re very pleased to announce with the City of Wichita that the downtown consultant will be Goody Clancy. The Steering Committee’s decision followed a Selection Committee recommendation based on a review of citizen input from the community presentations and additional interviews with each finalist team. The City Council is scheduled to consider the contract on Oct.13. As we begin the process with Goody Clancy, we hope you’ll join us in giving feedback and input. Keep checking here on our blog, our website (www.downtownwichita.org) and other social media outlets for information! Thanks to everyone who came out to the presentations, and we hope to see you, and all citizens of this great city and surrounding areas at future events.
by jmalone [ September 25 - 2009 ]
by jmalone [ September 11 - 2009 ]
The presentations by the four finalists, the winner of which will develop a downtown plan, are just under 2 weeks away and we need your help! As we all get ready to watch four major firms give their presentations, it’s time to start thinking of questions to ask these firms. What are you looking for in a firm? We are gathering a pool of questions to help the Downtown Steering Committee development questions they will ask following the consultant presentations. Leave your questions in the comments below, then come on September 22nd and 23rd to Wichita Scottish Rite beginning at 5:30 pm to watch the presentations.
by jmalone [ July 29 - 2009 ]
The Downtown Steering Committee announced the four finalists who will submit proposals for the Downtown Master Plan. The finalists include: Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, Crandall Arambula, Goody Clancy, and Looney Ricks Kiss. The proposals for the plan will include public presentations in late September. These presentations are a chance for the public to come and see the companies that want to help plan downtown. Will you be coming to watch the finalists? What are you looking forward to about the presentations?
by akeefer [ May 05 - 2009 ]
The Wichita City Council unanimously approved $175,000.00 to match the seed money that WDDC approved last month. The City also approved the utilization of a FTA Transportation Grant for the plan’s transportation component. With the commitment of these funds, a Downtown Development Strategy is no longer a dream, but a reality. What is your vision for downtown?
by akeefer [ May 04 - 2009 ]
Sushi? Music? Art Galleries? What’s the number one reason you visit downtown Wichita? With Wichita RiverFest kicking off this week, thousands of people will flock to activities and concerts along the river. So, other than the festival, what do you recommend?
by akeefer [ April 24 - 2009 ]
The meetings also gave attendees the ability to share with City and WDDC officials their dreams for Downtown in 5 to 20 years. Ideas were plentiful as the enthusiastic crowds at each meeting offered ideas that ran from business incubators to downtown malls to art districts to improved public transit. Fluhr noted that the revitalization will take time, but a comprehensive plan would keep the process on track. When asked if they would support such a plan, the crowds at each meeting unanimously agreed.
The Downtown Advisory Teams recently held three public meetings and asked citizens to share their vision for downtown. A packed-house at each meeting heard a brief report by WDDC President, Jeff Fluhr, on why revitalizing downtown is a priority for the community and set out the case for undertaking a revitalization plan that would pull together elements of business, retail, residential, transportation and parking, the arts and more into a ‘guiding document’ for downtown development.
Summary of Associations Meeting
Summary of Friends of Downtown Meeting
Do you have an idea or comment you would like to share? Send any comments or ideas to info@downtownwichita.org.
by akeefer [ April 24 - 2009 ]
On Wednesday, March 11 over 500 people gathered at the historic Scottish Rite to hear a lecture by Alex Garvin, noted author and Yale Professor of urban planning. Garvin looked at the successes and failures of building and revitalizing thriving and prosperous downtowns across the country.
Garvin drew heavily on his hometown New York and his experience as vice president for planning design and development of the Lower Manhattan Corporation, the agency charged with redesigning the World Trade Center. The granddaddy of urban planners, Daniel Burnham was frequently referred to throughout the evening as Burnham’s plan for the City of Chicago still stands as a reference today, not only for the City of Chicago, but for planners around the world as an example of remarkable urban design.
Questions from the audience following the lecture ranged from topics as vast as public transportation, to the need for parks and green space, to the significant role the arts play in creating energy and interest in core areas. Garvin enthusiastically answered dozen or so questions before leaving the stage only to be surrounded by people eager to continue the discussion as he signed his book, ‘The American City: What Works and What Doesn’t’ at the back of the room.
‘Alex saw great potential here and conveyed that to the audience. We’ve heard a lot of positive remarks,’ said Jeff Fluhr, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation President. ’People were excited and the evening was a true indication that the momentum is building and the community is ready to cast a grand vision for our downtown.’
The WDDC Inaugural Annual Lecture may be seen on channel seven.
