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2012 was a dynamic year for Downtown Wichita. Construction began on the first new building along the core of Douglas in 38 years, over 40 new businesses set up shop in Downtown, 69 new residential units were put on the market and over two million visitors came to experience Downtown's amenities. With approximately $100 Million of completed projects in 2012, Downtown Wichita is truly a center of progress. The future is now, and we are poised for growth.

Downtown has the highest concentration of independently owned and operated merchants in the region and is growing each year. Whether searching for the perfect gift, craving an ethnically diverse restaurant or a specific professional service, Downtown Wichita provides it all in a central location. Below is a list of approximately 40 new business to Downtown in 2012.

McCracken Guitars - 110 S. Emporia

Plexus, Inc. - 535 S. Emporia

Todd Brian's Brick Street Café and Tavern - 315 N. Mead

Gander Mountain Academy - 605 S. Wichita

Fabulous Salon & Gifts - 515 S. Main Ste 112

Mr. Diggs Dwelling & Co. - 600 E. 1st St. N.

Disciple Technologies - 223 S. Broadway

Zeni's Inner Radience - 515 E. Douglas

Cassandra Bryan Design - 602 E. Douglas

Bite Me BBQ - 132 N. St. Francis

Ladies Golf Place - 924 E. Douglas

El Dorado Inc - 430 S. Commerce

Burly Studios - 430 S. Commerce

Eaton Venue - 517 E. Douglas

Revolution Rock Bar - 233 N. Mosley

Garden Grill Café - 300 N. Main

Public at the Brickyard - 129 N. Rock Island

Eldon Boisseau & Reeg Lawyers - 200 W. Douglas

Christopher Clark Designer Portraits - 200 W. Douglas

CASA of Sedgwick County - 200 W. Douglas

Lowen IT - 622 E. Douglas

Kansas Oil & Gas Resource Fund - 100 S. Main Ste 120

Unveiled - 521 E. Douglas

Pixius Corporation - 301 N. St. Francis

Pandora Nightclub - 115 N. Rock Island

Bravos - 217 E. Douglas

Social Manor - 920 E. Douglas

Ambassador Hotel - 104 S. Broadway

Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA - 402 N. Market

Kansas Strong - 100 S. Main

ICT S.O.S. - 430 E. Douglas

Dentbusters - 406 S. Market

J.R.'s Arena Bar - 604 S. Topeka

Jury Eye Care - 926 E. Douglas*

John's Ale House - 917 E. Douglas*

Defense Contract Management - 120 E. 1st St.*

Siva Power Yoga - 416 S. Commerce

Doo-Dah Diner - 206 E. Kellogg

Trove Body Studio - 612 E. Douglas*

 

* Denotes business announced to open Downtown in 2013

 

The Block One Parking Garage was recently completed at 360 East William Street in Downtown Wichita. The $6 Million garage provides 270 spaces to accommodate the new Ambassador Hotel, Kansas Leadership Center, future use of the Henry's Building and the general public. Two sets of Block One's three mosaics are on the facade of the new garage and they stimulate interest and energy for the pedestrian traffic traveling through the block. Window graphics in the parking garage stairwell create a user-friendly experience. The interior also pays tribute to the site's history by recognizing F.W. "Woody" Hockaday, a famous Wichita cartographer, with a plaque and salvaged tile from the tire store that once bore his name on the site. The garage also includes 8,400 sq. ft. of retail space facing William Street. For leasing information on this space contact Jerry Jones with Slawson Companies at 316-263-3201. 

The new Urban Plaza at Block One serves as the connective fabric for the block's significant buildings. The alley has been redesigned to make it more compatible for pedestrians and vehicles, and also enhances Downtown's mid-block pedestrian circulation. The new waterwall fountain features the same hand-cut vitreous glass tiles as the Block One Parking Garage mosaics. This 150,000+ individual tile mosaic collection was designed by Murano Studios has been titled "Bravely Serene". Each piece of glass was hand laid. This new public art transforms Block One from bricks and mortar into an experience all can enjoy.

The construction of the new Kansas Leadership Center and Kansas Health Foundation Conference Center at Block One is progressing energetically. Installation of the striking new facade on the 36,000 sq. ft. LEED certified building began recently and is already transforming the frontage along Douglas. The new $9 Million center is expected to attract 1,000 visitors from all over Kansas annually. The design-build firm for this project is the OPUS Group from Kansas City. Learn More

Now open, the new 110,000 sq. ft. LEED certified Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA marks the spot for today's youth and family needs. In addition to being a top exercise facility, the new Y includes Cafe 402 (open to the general public), lounge spaces to meet other members and watch activities, community meeting rooms and a drop-in nursery. The $27 Million Robert D. Love Downtown YMCA is the 4th generation YMCA in Downtown Wichita and has had more than 45,000 visits during its first month of being open. Learn More

Douglas Ave. Transit & Streetscape Improvements

Phase One Commencing

 

In 2011, the City approved a new plan, led by community input, for transit and streetscape improvements along the core of Douglas Avenue. Phase One design, led by the team of Law Kingdon, PEC and Gardner Design, will focus on the addition of transit shelters, added streetscape amenities and improved pedestrian way finding. The improvements will be focused on Douglas from Main to Washington Streets. Phase One funding of $1.3 million has been secured and work will commence in the first quarter of 2013.

Exchange Place and Bitting Buildings

Final Planning

 

The project will retrofit the Exchange Place and Bitting Buildings to offer 230 residential units on Douglas Avenue. The development will incorporate a new 273-space parking garage, office and retail space. Construction will commence in summer of 2013. 

The LUX

Under Construction

 

The LUX is the redevelopment of the former Kansas Gas & Electric Building. The project will be a mixed-use development offering office, residential and luxury terraces overlooking the City's skyline. This $20 Million project is scheduled to open first quarter 2014. Learn More

The Commodore

Under Construction

 

The Commodore Apartment project will renovate an existing Wichita landmark at the corner of Elm and Broadway. The proposed project will offer a total of 58 apartments available exclusively to persons over the age of 55. On-site amenities will include laundry facilities, a community room and a computer lab.

Corner 365

Under Construction

 

Garvey Center owner, Builders Inc, are constructing 36 new apartments at the corner of First and Waco. This new project will dramatically transform the prominent intersection and will be a catalyst for further development along the First Street corridor. The project is scheduled for completion in 2013.

WaterWalk Apartments

Final Planning

 

The proposed 4.4 acre WaterWalk Apartments are located adjacent to the Wichita Ice Center, on the Southwest corner of Maple and McLean. The two proposed four-story buildings will include 134 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. This $8.5 - 9 Million project is scheduled to be completed in 2013.