News and updates directly from Wichita Downtown Development Corporation.
Public Meeting to Present Draft Downtown Master Plan
WICHITA, Kan. - 6/4/2010 - The community will hear the first presentation on the draft Downtown Master Plan at a public meeting on Monday, June 14th at the Scottish Rite.
The Downtown Master Plan Team has been researching, analyzing the market, listening to the community and incorporating public feedback since November. The draft plan will be presented and initial feedback gathered. Follow-up workshops will go into more detail in different areas on Wednesday, June 16th.
Following the public meetings on June 14th and 16th, the Downtown Wichita Development Corporation, Visioneering Wichita and the City of Wichita will make presentations to groups throughout the regional community for additional public input. The Downtown Master Plan Team will incorporate the feedback gathered at the June and July presentations. The final plan will be presented in September.
Public Presentation – Draft Downtown Wichita Plan
Monday, June 14th
Scottish Rite
332 E. 1st Street
5:30 p.m. – Reception (light refreshments)
6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Presentation and Input
People may RSVP for the meeting at info@downtownwichita.org or to (316) 264-6005.
During the public meeting, the Downtown Master Plan Team will share strategies for achieving the vision, identifying resources and the type of activity and development for Downtown Wichita.
Following Monday evening’s presentation, there will be three draft Downtown Plan Workshops that will go into more depth and discussion on various aspects of the draft plan.
Downtown Plan Workshops
Wednesday, June 16th
Bank of America Theatre
100 N. Broadway
8:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Enabling Downtown Development
3:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Creating Transportation Choices
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. – Creating Unique Places
The master plan will provide a blueprint for downtown development. It will utilize economic research to maximize opportunity for private sector investment and return on investment of public dollars. Community input will shape the vision for downtown. Research shows thriving downtowns help regions retain and recruit people and businesses.
For more information on the Downtown Master Plan process visit www.downtownwichita.org
###
Cargill to Build New Innovation Center in Downtown Wichita
WICHITA, Kan. - 5/25/2010 - Cargill announced plans to build a new $14.7 million facility on Wichita Street between 1st and 2nd streets in Downtown Wichita. The facility will house research, development, culinary, laboratory, pilot plant and distribution capabilities.
“Cargill’s commitment to Wichita and especially to Downtown Wichita with this cutting-edge facility is exciting,” said Mayor Carl Brewer. “When a leading, global company like Cargill makes an announcement and investment in Wichita, we know it’s another step toward our goal of becoming a city of distinction. Building upon their downtown campus, they are greatly contributing to making our downtown a regional center.”
The facility will house 65 people in the downtown area close to Cargill’s U.S. meat business, headquartered at 151 North Main Street. The two-story facility is expected to be complete in June of 2011.
“The Cargill team has been great to work with throughout this process. They have, from the beginning, been committed to exploring avenues in design that demonstrate key urban principles from the emerging downtown master plan,” said Jeff Fluhr, president of Wichita Downtown Development Corporation. “They have also been a lead private sector partner in the development of a blueprint for Downtown and have provided important support and input.”
One of the largest employers in downtown Wichita, Cargill donated $25,000 toward the development of the downtown master plan.
“We are excited to move forward and invest in downtown Wichita through this new facility,” said Scott Eilert, Cargill vice president and director of meat technology development. “So many groups and people, including Mayor Brewer, have made this project a reality and we’re glad to be part of the new efforts in downtown.”
The downtown master planning team will incorporate the Cargill Innovation Center into the draft plan. The next step in the downtown planning process will be the presentation of the draft plan at a public meeting scheduled for Monday, June 14th. Following public input to the draft plan, the final plan will be presented in September.
“This project is building upon more than $100 million in ongoing downtown development activities ranging from riverfront improvements to renovating historic buildings to residential and more,” Fluhr said. “Cargill is a very important component of that momentum.”
The downtown master plan will utilize economic research to maximize opportunity for private sector investment and return on investment of public dollars. Community input will shape the vision for downtown. Research shows thriving downtowns help regions retain and recruit people and businesses.
###
Downtown Planning Team Outlines Community Input Process
WICHITA, Kan. - 11/05/2009 - A six-month public engagement process seeking broad community input on downtown revitalization will kick off in early December.
The City of Wichita, the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation and Visioneering Wichita, working with various groups and downtown planning consultants Goody Clancy, outlined the public and stakeholder input process. The Goody Clancy team and its economic analysis partners will be in Wichita over the next few months to conduct numerous meetings to gather input.
“One of the reasons we chose Goody Clancy is because of their strength in getting the public involved in the planning process,” said Mayor Carl Brewer. “They have a great combination of holding more traditional public meetings combined with some new interactive technology. This will truly be our community’s plan.”
Public input processes planned include:
~ December 4 and 5 –“Walk-shops” will gather ideas through people taking and sharing digital photos of downtown through a process led by PlaceMatters, part of the Goody Clancy team. Three walk shop sessions are planned to encourage as much participation as possible. All will be held at the Eaton Block at 523 East Douglas (formerly Eaton Steakhouse).
Friday, Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, December 5 – 9 a.m. to Noon and again from 12:30 to 3:30.
People interested in participating should sign up at Visioneering Wichita by calling (316) 268-1141 or by e-mail at dlongfellow@wichitachamber.org.
~ January 12 – A public meeting will present the results and themes from the Walk-shop process. Presentations will also cover a preliminary assessment of downtown housing and commercial market opportunities as a foundation for the overall plan. Breakout groups will allow people to discuss assets, challenges and goals for downtown Wichita. The meeting will be held in the evening with exact time and place to be determined.
~ February – On Saturday, February 27 individuals will be able to participate in a full-day, hands-on workshop to discuss visions, utilizing the economic and transportation analysis, and design principles. The event will follow the February 25th WDDC Annual Lecture with a speaker providing national perspectives on downtown revitalization. Place and specific times for the events will be announced.
~ March – A public meeting will present a preliminary vision and action strategies that integrate the community input with technical and economic analysis. Individuals will then provide feedback and discuss the information presented.
~ May – At a public meeting, the team will present the draft vision plan to allow discussion and input to the preliminary plan.
In addition to the monthly public input sessions, the Goody Clancy team is meeting each month with a variety of stakeholder individuals and regional groups, including Wichita City Council, Sedgwick County Commission, neighborhood groups, employers, arts and culture groups, developers, commercial brokers, retail, transportation, property owners, educational entities, churches and social service organizations. The Goody Clancy team began the stakeholder process this week, holding 45 meetings that involved more than 165 people. Input from stakeholder groups and the public will be integrated into the final draft plan.
“This is an exciting time for the future of our community,” said Larry Weber, WDDC Chairman. “In getting to this moment, we have known how much people want to be part of the planning process. We will continue to encourage everyone to be involved in the process and have their voices heard.”
Goody Clancy was selected in October to develop a plan for the core area that focuses on:
· Connecting and maximizing various downtown areas, including Old Town, INTRUST Bank Arena and the River Corridor
· Community input to define the vision for downtown
· Specific implementation strategies and economic analysis to maximize private sector investment and return on investment of public dollars
The City of Wichita has committed $225,000 for a downtown comprehensive strategic plan. The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation provided $175,000 with an additional $100,000 from businesses, organizations and individuals contributing to the plan.
###
INTRUST Bank commits $10,000 for comprehensive downtown plan
WICHITA, Kan. - 7/28/2009 - The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) announced that INTRUST Bank committed $10,000 to fund the downtown master plan. This brings the private sector total to $86,000.
“INTRUST Bank plays a large role in helping our community and our downtown continue to work toward achieving our vision,” said Mayor Carl Brewer. “It’s commitment to downtown through the INTRUST Bank Arena is just one part of the bank’s leadership in this community.”
In addition to the private sector funding, the WDDC Board of Directors committed $175,000 to a downtown comprehensive strategic plan and the Wichita City Council unanimously voted to put $225,000 to a comprehensive plan.
“The business community keeps responding to this opportunity and we so appreciate their support,” said Larry Weber, WDDC Chairman. “INTRUST Bank has been committed to downtown for years, and their donation to this effort continues that tradition.”
The City of Wichita received 32 proposals in response to its request for qualifications. A selection committee last week narrowed the field to four finalists who will receive a request for proposals. The finalist firms were chosen in part because of their track record in downtown plans that produced high levels of private sector investment. A consultant team is expected to be named in September after public presentations by the finalists the week of September 21.
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 released a new website where the community may obtain the latest information on downtown’s development as well as the new downtown plan. The site is www.downtownwichita.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.
###
Fidelity Bank commits $15,000 for comprehensive downtown plan.
WICHITA, Kan. - 7/24/2009 - The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) announced that Fidelity Bank committed $15,000 to fund the downtown master plan. This brings the private sector total to $76,000.
“We appreciate the leadership that Fidelity Bank has shown for downtown and their support in our community’s efforts to plan for our economic future,” said Larry Weber, WDDC Chairman. “The private sector has continued to step up and demonstrate how important it is to develop a comprehensive plan.”
In addition to the private sector funding, the WDDC Board of Directors committed $175,000 to a downtown comprehensive strategic plan and the Wichita City Council unanimously voted to put $225,000 to a comprehensive plan.
“Fidelity Bank represents the heart of downtown and the heart of our business community,” said Mayor Carl Brewer. “Through various efforts, including refurbishing the Wichita Carnegie Library Building, Fidelity Bank has committed for years to advancing our city and our downtown.”
The City of Wichita has received 32 proposals in response to its Request for Qualifications. A selection committee will narrow the field of finalists this week. A consultant team is expected to be named in October after public presentations by the finalists.
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 ongoing 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.
###