Momentum

by akeefer [ April 24 - 2009 ]

The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) Board of Directors today unanimously voted to commit $175,000 to a downtown comprehensive strategy as seed capital to forge partnerships and secure additional funding through the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County and the private sector.

“In the past two months, hundreds of people have attended meetings about downtown,” said Larry Weber WDDC Chairman. “The response to Mayor Brewer’s downtown message has been positive, and people have been overwhelmingly in favor of a comprehensive strategy.”

A recent document from WDDC showed that Wichita has seen success from previous downtown plans, including the last comprehensive plan from 20 years ago. One theme heard from the public input to date is that Wichita needs an overall comprehensive strategy to connect the numerous downtown assets. The document also highlighted case studies of what it takes to create successful downtown revitalization over time.

According to Jeff Fluhr, WDDC President, other communities with comprehensive strategies have seen the results of detailed efforts. “One of the most important benefits is that when there is sufficient detail in a comprehensive strategy, it provides developers and businesses the predictability, knowledge and therefore the comfort level needed to make millions of dollars in private investment,” Fluhr said.

Fluhr added, “A comprehensive strategy is a blueprint for our future. It benefits the public and private sector when making decisions. Our goal is to be strategic with public sector investment so we, as a community, maximize private sector investment.”

WDDC board and staff said they will meet with the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County to discuss the efforts and partnership. In addition to the pledge made today, WDDC is also pursuing private sector funding from individual businesses.

arena_ict

“We are at a turning point in downtown with momentum and a foundation to build upon,” Weber said. “This is where our partnership as a community comes together. This partnership is how we all get on the same page and ensure we make the best decisions for the next 20 years from both the public and the private organizations. The integral component to the success of this effort is the community’s participation in casting the vision for our downtown.”

WDDC’s mission is to drive development in downtown Wichita. According to case studies, downtown revitalization benefits communities through new and retained jobs, increased private investment, increased property tax revenue, increased tourism revenue and improved perceptions.

The WDDC has established a website where the community may provide their input on the vision for downtown. The site is www.momentum-ict.com

The WDDC is a non-profit organization focused on stimulating interest and investment in Downtown. The organization is governed by its Board of Directors consisting of property and business owners from the Downtown area. The Board represents more than 1,400 businesses in the center city and directs and manages the WDDC’s efforts to revitalize the Downtown area.

For more information on the WDDC or its Board of Directors, contact us at 316.264.6005 or online at www.downtownwichita.org

Tags: Comprehensive Plan, downtown, revitalization
Posted in Comprehensive Plan | No Comments »

The Momentum Continues to Build

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.

Citizens discuss the future of downtown at three public meetings

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 Business Meeting

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.

Tags: Community, downtown, kansas, momentum, Public Meeting, revitalization, steering committee, wddc, Wichita, wichita downtown development corporation
Posted in Downtown Momentum, Public Meeting | No Comments »

The Day a City Changed

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.

Over 500 community members gather for the first annual lecture w/ Alex Garvin

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.

Tags: alex garvin, Annual Lecture, downtown, kansas, revitalization, urban planning, wddc, Wichita, wichita downtown development corporation
Posted in Annual Lecture, Downtown Momentum | No Comments »