II ST.FRANCIS: A STREETSCAPE TRANSFORMED
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St. Francis Streetscape Improvements
Date Completed - June 2012
Cost - Approximately $2.3 Million
The City of Wichita reconstructed St. Francis Street from Douglas Avenue to 2nd Street. This streetscape transformation converted the existing one-way configuration to two-way and also provides angled parking. In addition to improved infrastructure, the streetscape improvements added amenities such as street trees, new lighting, benches and decorative pavers. The revitalized streetscape will provide an important pedestrian connection between the INTRUST Bank Arena and Old Town.
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St. Francis looking South towards INTRUST Bank Arena and Eaton Place |
St. Francis looking South |
St. Francis looking North |
St. Francis streetscape amenities include: street trees, new lighting, benches and decorative pavers |
Businesses along St. Francis
Existing and New
The new streetscape complements new, as well as existing retail, restaurants, service industries and interactive public spaces.
Existing businesses include:
Contract Furnishings - 114 N. St. Francis - (316) 267-5763
Grace Wu Kung Fu School - 122 1/2 N. St. Francis - (316) 264-9640
Tracy's Automotive - 529 E. First - (316) 558-3880
IPortrait Studio - 221 N. St. Francis - (316) 461-1194
Coleman Factory Outlet - 235 N. St. Francis St. - (316) 264-0836
New businesses along the corridor include the following:
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Bite Me BBQ
132 N. St. Francis
Date Opened - February 2012
Family owned and operated BBQ
restaurant with on-site resident owners
and catering capabilities.
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Mr. Diggs Dwelling & Co.
600 E. 1st Street N.
Date Opened - March 2012
Original and reproduction classic furnishings for your home. Unique pieces that make lasting impressions.
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Cassandra Bryan Design
110 N. St. Francis
Date Opened - April 2012
Cassandra Bryan Design is a locally
owned full service graphic design and website development firm.
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Pixius
301 N. St. Francis - Under Construction
Provides high-speed internet service to areas beyond the reach of cable, DSL or 3G/4G cellular while incorporating the latest technology.
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Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA
Cost - $27 Million
The Wichita YMCA is constructing a new Downtown location consisting of 110,000 square feet. The facility will house the system's corporate offices as well as a new state of the art work-out and activity facility. The project is developing approximately three-fourths of a city block adjacent to City Hall and the Federal and Sedgwick County Courthouses. The new facility is expected to serve 30,000 people throughout the area. There are more than 103,000 residents within a three-mile radius of the new Downtown YMCA location. Wichita's Greater YMCA serves more than 250,000 kids and adults. The project will open in December of this year. Website
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View of Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA from Central and Market |
Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA - Southwest view from Central |
Open Door
Date Completed - March 2012
Cost - $5.4 Million
Open Door has consolidated many of its services at it's new location at 402 E. 2nd St. The United Methodist's new center houses the former Drop-In-Center and Klothes Kloset and serves a large portion of Wichita's citizens in need. Website
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Open Door's new location |
The Catholic Diocese - St. Mary Cathedral
Cost - $16 Million
The Catholic Diocese is restoring the historic St. Mary's Cathedral located at Broadway and Central. The renovations include restoring the 105 foot dome and incorporating additional lighting to highlight its architectural details. All buildings on the campus will be connected by a new covered structure, which will serve as a new gathering space. The renovations and construction will be completed by the end of 2012 to celebrate the Cathedral's 100-year anniversary. Website
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St. Mary Cathedral - Corner of Central and Broadway |
New covered structure under construction that will connect the buildings on campus |
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St. Francis Streetscape Celebration
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Mark Friday, June 29th, 2012 on your calendar as the official opening celebration of the St. Francis Street corridor. Starting at 4:30 p.m. there will be a plethora of fun activities happening in conjunction with Final Friday. The Mayor and Vice Mayor will make special remarks at 5:00 p.m., Centennial Plaza and Rotary Time Tower, 2nd and St. Francis. Come check out the new businesses along St. Francis including Bite Me BBQ, Mr. Diggs Dwelling & Co. and Cassandra Bryan Design in addition to visiting your existing favorites. More details will follow.
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Westar & WDDC Design Intern
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Westar Energy committed $10,000 toward the formation of the Westar Energy Downtown Development Internship program at the WDDC's Design & Innovation Center. The Design & Innovation Center provides key resources in the development of Downtown Wichita.
Westar's generous contribution matches grant funds received from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation allocated to engaging architecture, landscape architecture and community planning students in the Downtown planning and implementation process.
Through this partnership, the WDDC has recently hired Aaron Johnson as our full-time summer intern. Aaron is in his fifth year at Kansas State University and just returned from a semester study abroad program in Italy. Aaron will be a tremendous asset to our team. He not only brings a fresh perspective and new ideas, but will also be able to graphically illustrate the concepts discussed in the Design & Innovation Center.
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2011 Project Downtown Annual Report
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Project Downtown, through implementation strategies, is providing the framework to develop a nationally recognized Downtown and region. Over $60 million of development was completed in 2011. Over $94 million in development is currently in progress and over $20 million in development is initiating in 2012. View the full 2011 Project Downtown Annual Report
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