Wichita’s public transit system would be much more effective for commuters and consumers if it were laid out in a grid, rather than the current “hub and spoke” system in which all routes go downtown, the Wichita City Council heard Tuesday. read more>>

The city should ditch its bare-bones bus routes and switch to a grid system that cuts down on transfers and is easier to use, according to a new study by University of Kansas graduate students. read more>>

Real Development's planned 17,000-square-foot Exchange Market & Deli, on the northeast corner of Douglas and Market, got a boost Monday morning when the Kansas Department of Commerce approved $2.5 million in federal bonds. read more>>

The Wichita City Council agreed Tuesday that Mayor Carl Brewer should sign a petition authorizing possible creation of a Community Improvement District at the Broadview Hotel. read more>>

The public has spoken about the future of Wichita’s downtown. Some of the answers surprised the people preparing for next month’s rollout of Wichita’s downtown revitalization master plan. read more>>

The time-honored custom of passing down land through generations is complicating plans to begin drawing developers to downtown Wichita, with the city's comprehensive revitalization plan a month away. read more>>

More than $100 million in capital investment projects either have been completed recently or are on the drawing board in downtown Wichita. read more>>

When it opened nearly a century ago with a $75,000 grant from Andrew Carnegie, the Wichita Carnegie Library was considered a temple of fine taste and culture. read more>>

Developers of Wichita‟s WaterWalk development on Thursday celebrated the groundbreaking of a new hotel at the downtown project, along with progress on a landscaped area they‟re calling WaterWalk Commons.  read more>>

With several pieces of construction equipment resting behind him, Jack DeBoer promised to usher in a new era of kept promises at WaterWalk. On Thursday evening, he hosted an elaborate groundbreaking for the new $12 million Fairfield Inn and Suites at WaterWalk, at the corner of Main and Dewey. read more>>

Jack DeBoer's effort to revive WaterWalk now has a road map. This week, DeBoer is releasing his long-range plan for the troubled project in downtown Wichita and said he has had enough success in recent months to merit the public's confidence. read more>>

Residents at a community meeting Wednesday night on the downtown revitalization plan said they wanted the area to become a destination for Wichitans that was easy to get around and easy to get to. read more>>

Sarah Palin drew 2,973 in May for her fundraising speech at Intrust Bank Arena, according to a report provided Wednesday to the Sedgwick County Commission.  read more>>

Wichita has had a few weeks now to live with the draft downtown master plan, as well as with the lifeless blocks and sidewalks of the status quo. Of course, Wichita also has had time to gather downtown to spend a summer night with the Eagles or Michael Buble at the Intrust Bank Arena, with Music Theatre of Wichita at Century II, with the Wingnuts at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium, with a music act or moviemaker at the Orpheum Theatre, with friends in Old Town, or to enjoy one of the city's great attractions along the riverfront.  read more>>

The first of eight public meetings concerning Wichita's new downtown development plan is set for tonight. Designers want feedback and input from residents outside of the downtown area on their preliminary 20-year master plan revealed last month. Tonight's meeting is at 7 at the Atwater Neighborhood City Hall, 2755 E. 19th St. read more>>

With a fresh coat of paint, new windows and re-finished hardwood floors, the Wichita Boathouse is ready for its first tenant in more than five years. A series of renovations totaling $650,000 wrapped up May 31 and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, the new occupant, is beginning to move its collection into the building on the east bank of the Arkansas River near Waterman.  read more>>

Cargill being Cargill, the traditional scooping of dirt with gold shovels was replaced by the slapping of steaks on a large grill. Cargill Meat Solutions officially kicked off construction of its $14.7 million, 75,000-square-foot Innovation Center at First and Wichita streets in downtown on Monday. read more>>

When Airbus wanted to expand engineering work in Wichita, it was great news for Bill Greer. But it also created a problem for him. There wasn't enough room at the Airbus North America Engineering office in Old Town.  read more>>

If the city is going to pump more public money into downtown revitalization, it needs a clear set of guidelines for developers and a transparent vetting process that inspires public confidence, consultants say.  read more>>

Wichita needs to create communities downtown, a team of East Coast consultants said last week as they began to add detail to their vision of a revitalized center city.  read more>>

An urban landscape with more of everything, starting with people. Places to live, work and gather alongside the great Arkansas River, as well as ways to access it. The gaps filled in with more bars, restaurants, stores, hotels and parks. Districts that are walkable but also linked by bus transit.  read more>>

Intrust Bank Arena's first six months are beginning to filter down to its downtown neighbors. SMG, the arena's operator, is the big financial winner so far, but it's not alone. There have been losers, too, as neighborhood businesses find their way with new arena traffic.  read more>>

In the 1920s, streetcars zinged up and down Douglas Avenue. Then, as was the case in many cities, they were removed as more people began using cars. read more>>

Wary of trying to scoot across the expanse of Douglas to reach Century II? Want something to finally be done with the old Henry's building at Broadway and William? Want to come downtown, park once and still be able to get from one end to the other? read more>>

Wichitans will get their "first tangible sense of what downtown can be" during Monday's detailed look at a consultant's vision for the future. The 5:30 p.m. presentation by Goody Clancy officials at the Scottish Rite Temple, 332 E. First St., will be the public's first look at how the consultants think downtown attractions can best be linked. read more>>

Wichita’s downtown still leaves a lot to be desired. Decades of talk and millions of dollars of public investment have produced results, yet have fallen short of transforming the city’s heart into the place to work, live, shop, dine and party and — most important — into a source of pride. read more >>

Old Town developer Dave Burk says his latest creation — The Flats at 324 —
has reached 90 percent occupancy five months after he converted the old
Wichita High School to apartments. read more>>

Downtown revitalization landed its first major corporate endorsement Tuesday when Cargill officials announced plans to build a $14.7 million innovation center on Wichita Street between First and Second streets. read more>>

Cargill Meat Solutions on May 5 purchased a half city block at 1st and Wichita streets. The property contains a parking lot. Cargill Meat Solutions Corp. has purchased half a city block near its downtown Wichita headquarters as it seeks approval from its parent company to build a new research and development center in the city’s core.  read more>>

Goody Clancy officials brought their plan to revitalize downtown into a little clearer focus Wednesday night before about 225 people at the Scottish Rite center. read more>>

Real Development's ambitious Exchange Place condo project in the heart of downtown is moving forward. After a flurry of last-minute negotiations, Wichita City Council members approved a total of $10.3 million in city financing Tuesday. That gives the Minnesota-based developers the assets they say they need to secure a $30 million, federally backed loan. read more>>

Gov. Mark Parkinson on Monday signed a bill revamping the state's historic-tax-credit program. read more>>

It used to seem as if there were more statues of people downtown than actual human beings. But that has been changing, and the number of people living downtown could double in coming years — which is important to reviving downtown and growing our city. read more>>

Steve Wilbur has the "inventory wanted" sign out at his downtown Wichita brokerage. Wilbur, managing broker at United Country Theurer Auction/Realty at 509 E. Douglas, said Monday that demand is mounting for commercial property downtown.  read more>>

About 130 people — community activists, civic leaders, elected officials, business representatives, downtown residents and others — showed up Saturday to help craft the future of downtown Wichita.  read more>>

Senate panel advances historic tax credit plan.  read more>>

In about eight weeks, Wichita officials should have the beginnings of a retail recruitment checklist, spelling out the types of businesses that can prosper in a successfully revitalized downtown.  read more>>

The Wichita City Council on Tuesday approved a set of financial incentives to jump-start commercial development at WaterWalk.  read more>>

Wichita City Council members surely wish they could land another high-quality hotel for WaterWalk without the use of public funds and incentives, and that the proposal for a $12 million Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites had come up when the public mood wasn't so hostile toward government and its spending.  read more>>

The Wichita Downtown Development Corp. and the city have rolled out the latest in a series of moves to connect Intrust Bank Arena customers with parking and entertainment: a mobile application mapping available parking lots and nearby restaurants for specific arena events.  read more>>

Housing isn't the only market not being met by Wichita's Downtown.  read more>>

Wichita's downtown has the market to support 1,000 new households over the next five to seven years.  read more>>

Mary Wright's decision this week to keep the Old Mill Tasty Shop open on event nights at Intrust Bank Arena surprised even her.  read more>>

Airbus North America will add 80 new jobs in Wichita over the next three years, the company said Thursday.  read more>>

A pricey welcome mat of asphalt, steel and cement is rolled out in all directions for the opening of Intrust Bank Arena this
week.  read more>>

There are commercial and residential projects on the table downtown, many with a local flavor, according to a variety of city officials. But the reality is that completed deals will come slowly in 2010, as the commercial credit crunch sorts itself out and as a Boston-based consultant finishes work on a long-range master plan for downtown redevelopment.  read more>>

Charlie and Cindy Claycomb are fans of Wichita State University's volleyball team and wish they could have spent the weekend watching the women play in the NCAA Tournament in Ames, Iowa.  Instead, they stayed home and took part in events designed to allow them to put their mark on shaping downtown's future. read more>>

A bank sign flashed a temperature reading of 31 degrees shortly after noon Friday. Nice day for a stroll around downtown? Not really.  read more>>

Some themes are emerging as the city's downtown revitalization consultant continues its listening tour.  read more>>

David Dixon laughs at the question: Can Wichita's downtown be successfully redeveloped? "Certainly," said Dixon, the principal in charge of urban planning and design at Goody, Clancy & Associates in Boston. Dixon's firm has a $500,000 contract to pull together a vision of what Wichitans want from their downtown.  read more>>

Downtown development philosophies clashed in the Wichita City Council chambers on Tuesday.  read more>>

In a little more than a year, Wichita may have a new, 20-year blueprint for downtown revitalization.  City leaders and consultants say the plan will be based on input from residents. It's likely to call for taxpayers to continue investing money in the city's core, roughly bounded by Kellogg, Central, Seneca and Washington.  read more>>

Wichita officials are nearing a $500,000 agreement with Goody Clancy to develop a downtown revitalization master plan.  read more>>

Those looking for a free lift around downtown will have more options starting this week. The city-operated Q-Line trolleys have expanded service to six nights a week from three. The trolleys now run from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 p.m. to midnight Friday, and from noon to midnight on Saturday.  read more>>

A Boston planning firm has been selected to develop a business plan for downtown Wichita's future. Goody Clancy is the lead planner in a seven-firm consortium unanimously chosen Friday afternoon by Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer's downtown revitalization steering committee.  read more>>

Steering committee recommends Goody Clancy.  The Wichita Downtown Revitalization Steering Committee today endorsed the selection of Goody Clancy to lead the downtown planning process. The firm was chosen from four finalists that made public presentations Tuesday and Wednesday.  read more>>

The four finalists to plan downtown's future have submitted proposals that they will outline to the public in Wichita later this month.  read more>>

The collapse last week of a deal to buy Union Station poses no threat to planning downtown revitaliation, says the mayor.  read more>>

Public parking in the garage attached to Wichita City Hall could soon be eliminated.  read more >>

The sluggish WaterWalk project downtown may soon undergo its fifth major change since city officials approved the shopping, office and condo venture seven years ago.  read more >>

As the Intrust Bank Arena nears completion, the Sedgwick County Commission is poised to spend about $1.1 million on high-tech parking signs and cash registers.  read more >>

It has been more than three years since 721 Wichita and Sedgwick County residents filled out surveys showing how adamant they are about having parking near Intrust Bank Arena, the big house their tax dollars built.  read more >>

Hundreds of people crowded into Old Town Square on Friday night to celebrate the city's new All-America City status and take advantage of a new state law that allows drinking between venues.  read more >>

Four finalists were selected Thursday to submit proposals to handle downtown Wichita's revitalization master plan.  read more >>

Wichita must "unwaky" its downtown parking, a Sedgwick County commissioner said Thursday, drawing a laugh but also making a point that others say is crucial to the success of Intrust Bank Arena.  read more >>

The hockey players' lockers at Intrust Bank Arena sport a feature you likely will never see but certainly could appreciate.  read more>>

The WIchita City Council pledged $225,000 in city and federal funds Tuesday to a comprehensive planning process for downtown redevelopment.  The move clears the way to hire a planner this summer to develop a way to link the city's downtown attractions in a series of entertainment and retail corridors.  read more >>

The Wichita Downtown Development Corp. board kicked off a drive Thursday to raise at least $500,000 for downtown’s redevelopment plan, committing $175,000 of its own money.  read more >>

The Wichita Downtown Development Corp. on Thursday announced it would provide $175,000 toward a comprehensive development plan for downtown Wichita. The funding comes as numerous public meetings are being held, at the request of Wichita Mayor Carl Brewer, by downtown stakeholders to discuss the future of the city’s core. read more >>