Momentum

Have you seen ?2P

jmalone — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:54:25 +0000

Whether you’re driving, riding, or walking, you’ll notice these sign all around Wichita. Figuring out Where to Park is easier than ever! Check out www.parkdowntown.org for all your downtown parking needs! You’ll find out where to Park n’ Ride, Dine, Play, Shop, and Revel. Over the next few weeks, when you find ?2P, let us know! Take a picture and send it to us and it may be featured on our website or here on the blog and keep a look out for more exciting things from WDDC!

The people are walking!

jmalone — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:31:31 +0000

The Walk-Shops are underway, and we’re excited to see photos coming in left and right!

What did you think of this first Walk-Shop? Are you coming tomorrow? If you’re participating and have Twitter, let us know what you’re doing by using the hash-tag #walkshop

For more information, visit www.wichitawalkshop.org or www.downtownwichita.org for more information.

Image of Downtown: Walk-shops

jmalone — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:56:01 +0000

What is a walk-shop? It’s a chance to look at our surroundings in downtown Wichita with fresh and critical eyes as we begin contemplating a vision for the Downtown Revitalization Master Plan. It’s a chance to take and talk about pictures of places we like and ones we don’t like. It’s a chance to talk about how walking can be an interesting, safe, fun, healthy and valuable part of a revitalized downtown that is Wichita’s dynamic center of community and commerce.

There are several different ways you can participate

Walk around downtown and take pictures at a Walk-shop. There are two walk-shops to choose from: Walk-shop A, Friday December 4^th, 11:00am-1:00pm, and Walk-shop B, Saturday December 5^th, 9:00am-12:00pm. Each session will begin an initial presentation/discussion of elements that make downtowns walkable. Then, walk a portion of downtown, in a group or independently, taking and submitting photos for discussion using your camera cell phone! Both sessions meet at 523 East Douglas Avenue (at St. Francis Street). RSVP required at www.wichitawalkshop.org.
Share your ideas for a more walkable downtown at the Walk-shop Talk. This will take place Saturday December 5^th, 12:30pm-3:30pm at 523 East Douglas Avenue (at St. Francis Street). Participants in the previous walk-shops are welcome and encouraged to participate. We’ll discuss downtown walkability issues – from street trees to crime and transit to retail storefronts – in groups, and identify photos that speak to these issues.
Drop in to the Walk-shop open house during First Friday. On Friday December 4, 5:30pm-7:30pm, downtown planning team members will be available at 523 East Douglas Avenue (at St. Francis Street) for informal discussion. Drop in to view the walk-shop photos on a large screen, or to discuss your general aspirations for downtown.
Submit your photos and ideas over the next few weeks. After the walk-shop you can still submit photos of downtown, as well as of other places you think should serve as examples for downtown revitalization. Details will be posted to http://www.wichitawalkshop.org.
Participate in related photoshoots with Wichita Flikr groups. Wichita Flikr will organize some photo shoots in places and at times beyond what can be covered in the Walk-shops. Visit http://www.flickr.com/groups/wichita/pool/tags/downtown/ for more information.

Make sure you RSVP at http://www.wichitawalkshop.org.

Let us know if you’re joining in and what you want to see in your image of Downtown Wichita

The consultant has been chosen!

jmalone — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:56:25 +0000

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.

Calling all questions for the consultants

jmalone — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 15:02:19 +0000

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.

Block party with the city!

jmalone — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 22:50:53 +0000

Oh what a night it is! The WDDC crew is sitting out under our tent at Old Town Square getting ready for the start of the All-American City Block Party. Come visit the WDDC tent for some flyers about downtown and to see our brand new website. Today marks the official launch of the WDDC website, www.downtownwichita.org When you stop by, let us know what you think. What do you think of your new website, any suggestions? What’s your opinion on the entertainment district? Comment below!

32 Responses, 4 Finalists

jmalone — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:23:41 +0000

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?

Council Approves Master Plan Funding

akeefer — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:15:52 +0000

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?

Destination Downtown

akeefer — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:13:33 +0000

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?

A Stakeholder, Resident and Believer

akeefer — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:12:44 +0000

Michael Garvey, President of Builder’s Incorporated, today announced a commitment of $10,000 toward funding of a downtown comprehensive strategic plan. The gift comes the same day the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation pledged $175,000 toward a plan to be funded in partnership with businesses and local governments.

Builder’s Incorporated is a full-service residential and commercial real estate company that has served Wichita for more than 60 years. One of its largest investments is the downtown Garvey Center located from 200 to 300 West Douglas in the heart of Downtown Wichita.

Over the past 12 years Builders Incorporated has renovated the 26 story former Holiday Inn into 141 apartments, now known as 250 Douglas Place. Through using Builders Incorporated’s own resources, 250 Douglas Place has become one of the largest apartment complexes in downtown Wichita.

In addition to these apartments the Garvey Center also features 300,000 square feet of office space over two city blocks.

“As a stakeholder in downtown, a resident of downtown and a believer in Wichita, I think it is important to move forward responsibly with a blueprint for downtown” Garvey said. “Builders Incorporated is focused on the future and is pleased to be a part of the continuing change happening in Wichita. We felt that having committed many millions of dollars as one of the largest private investors in downtown, it was important to be the first from the private sector to step forward, a group that must be part of this process.”

Mayor Carl Brewer said, “Michael’s gift to advance the future of downtown Wichita and his quick action demonstrate his leadership and commitment. Michael is a great example of a young professional and business owner dedicated to having a vision and a strategy and making sure the community is part of that effort. He is continuing the legacy of a family that has given much to Wichita.”