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PROJECT DOWNTOWN
2012 Project Downtown Annual Report

Project Downtown is providing the framework to develop a nationally recognized Downtown and region. In February, the 2012 Project Downtown Annual Report was presented to the Wichita City Council. Project Downtown continues to serve as an effective instrument in guiding strategic public investment and cultivating private development. Growth in key markets such as residential and hospitality are serving as catalysts in related retail and service markets. In 2011, over $60 million in projects were completed and over $94 million in projects were commenced. We are pleased to report in 2012 approximately $100 million in projects were completed.

 

View the 2012 Project Downtown Annual Report

2013 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GUIDE
2013 Downtown Development Guide

Find all the information you need about doing business in Downtown Wichita, including economic programs, Downtown statistics, and current markets.


GOODY CLANCY WINS AWARD
Catalyst Site

Project Downtown: The Master Plan for Wichita was created by consulting firm Goody Clancy out of Boston Massachusetts. Recently Goody Clancy received a 2013 National Planning Award from the American Planning Association. APA's National Planning Excellence and Achievement Awards honor the best planning efforts and those that create communities of lasting value. 

DOWNTOWN CLEAN UP
2013 Downtown Clean Up Day logo

Join us in helping make Downtown beautiful at Downtown Clean Up Day on April 13th, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided to volunteers courtesy of Old Chicago (330 N. Mead in Old Town) at the end of the event.

 

If you plan to attend, please RSVP by Thursday, April 11 to [email protected] or 316-264-6005. Choice of Clean Up Day responsibility will be on a first come first served basis when rsvp'ing. RSVP now to get your choice of project! More information 

KSU DESIGN STUDIO
K-State

For the Spring Semester 2013, the WDDC, along with local firms GLMV Architecture, Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architecture, Ruggles & Bohm, LawKingdon Architecture, WDM Architects and Professional Engineering Consultants have sponsored a Kansas State Landscape Architecture studio class. The students have spent several days on multiple trips to Wichita with the primary goal of exploring how recent developments are shaping catalyst sites identified in Project Downtown. The student-developed design concepts will provide visuals for future development conversations on these important sites in our Downtown. The class will be back in Wichita to present their final designs on May 8th to local professionals and the public. This project has given us the opportunity to engage some of our State's talented design students and also showcase Wichita's quality of place.

WESTAR/ WDDC DESIGN INTERNSHIP

For the second year, Westar Energy has generously funded the WDDC Design Internship. For the summer 2013, Ms. Gretchen Gravenstein, a Masters in Landscape Architecture candidate from Kansas State will join the staff at the WDDC. Gretchen will have the opportunity to assist with Downtown development concepts, both current and proposed that will elevate the conversations we are having regarding future development projects.  "We are so fortunate that Westar Energy places such a high priority on education and student engagement. Having these talented interns in our City for the summer is a win for everyone," stated Jeff Fluhr, President of the WDDC. 

INTERNSHIPS IN WICHITA
Launch Wichita

Launch Wichita is the official source of student internships in Wichita, KS. Launch Wichita was born out of a Young Professionals of Wichita initiative, which was to create a website that would attract college students both living in and outside of Wichita to further their interest in making Wichita their home. In 2012, in conjunction with Visioneering and Wichita Downtown Development Corporation, YPW received a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation that allowed this goal to be achieved. The website not only lets students search potential internships and learn more about Wichita, it allows employers to list available internships and job openings. For all your internship needs, visit launchwichita.com

MAPPING OUT PROGRESS
Current Downtown Projects

Since it's adoption in 2010, Project Downtown: The Master Plan for Wichita has been guiding development in Downtown.

 

View a list of Downtown projects or click the photo above to see a map of all Downtown projects.

Union Station
Union Station
Project cost - N/A
Under Design Development
Recently announced was the sale of the historic Wichita train station, Union Station to local developer Gary Oborny of Occidental Management. The acquisition includes the historic Rock Island depot and baggage facility and the former Wichita Grand Hotel. The developer plans to transform Union Station into a multimillion-dollar destination attraction. Uses being explored are retail, restaurants as well as hospitality and office space. 
WaterWalk Apartments
WaterWalk Apartments Rendering_1
WaterWalk Apartments Rendering_3
Project cost - $8.5 - 9 Million
Final Planning - Construction in 2013
WaterWalk logo

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. The parking lot will include 253 parking stalls. This $8.5 - 9 Million project is projected for completion in 2014.

Courtyard by Marriott Renovations
Renovations at Courtyard Marriott
Project cost - Phase one - $900,000
Completed
Courtyard by Marriott Renovations

The 128-room Courtyard by Marriott, located at 820 E. 2nd Street in Old Town, has recently completed a major renovation of its lobby and other public guest areas. The goal of the renovation was to create an area where guests can get out of their room and socialize with other guests. A new bistro, named Table 820, along with a Starbucks service station were also included in the renovations. This was the first of two renovations planned for the hotel. Approximately $1 million in additional renovations to the hotel's design and color schemes will commence in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Block One Update
Block One Ribbon Cutting

City, community and business leaders cut the ribbon on March 28, 2013 for three completed projects at Block One. Completed projects included the Ambassador Hotel at Block One, the Urban Plaza at Block One, and the Block One Parking Garage.

Block One Ribbon Cutting
Block One Ribbon Cutting
Mayor Carl Brewer at Block One Ribbon Cutting

More than $40 million is being invested by the private sector and the City of Wichita in Block One. The City spent $6.8 million to build the public parking garage at 360 East William Street. The garage opened this past December and has 270 parking spaces and 8,400 square feet of retail space facing William Street.

 

The City of Wichita also recently completed the Urban Plaza at Block One for $800 thousand which connects the Block One Parking Garage, the Ambassador Hotel, the new Kansas Leadership Center and the Henry's Building. That project also redesigned the block's alley to make it pedestrian friendly, as well as suitable for vehicles. The Urban Plaza provides a seating area and also features new public art, a series of mosaics titled "Bravely Serene," by Murano Studios.

 

At 104 South Broadway, the 14-story Ambassador Hotel features 117 guest rooms and 12 suites. The building was originally built in 1926 housing Union National Bank. The $23 million project is next to the Kansas Health Foundation's existing headquarters. 

 

View photos from the Block One Ribbon Cutting

Kansas Leadership Center at Block One
KLC
Construction continues - opening Summer 2013

The Kansas Health Foundation is expanding its current offices to include an additional 36,000 square feet of meeting rooms and space for the Kansas Leadership Center's new statewide headquarters. Construction on this $9 million project began in 2012 and is expected to be completed this summer. It is the first new construction along Douglas Avenue in approximately 38 years.

William Street Conversion
William Street
Project Cost - $375,000
Construction initiating

The improvements from Main to Emporia include converting William Street from a one-way west-bound street to a two-way street providing one lane in each direction. The pavement will be improved as necessary and will be restriped to allow for two-way traffic. The $375,000 project will also include replacing the wheelchair ramps and modifications to the traffic signals. Construction is to be completed in 2013. This project will increase accessibility to the retail space located within the Block One Parking Garage and Henry's Building, which is currently under design development.

Douglas Ave Streetscape Development
Douglas Ave Bus Shelter
Douglas Ave Bus Shelter Plan View
Project Cost - $1.3 Million
Final Planning - Construction Summer 2013

In 2011, the City of Wichita 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 are focused on Douglas from Main to Washington Streets. Phase One funding of $1.3 million has been secured and work will commence in the second quarter of 2013.

Wichita Downtown Development Corporation
507 East Douglas
Wichita, KS 67202
316.264.6005

Project Downtown
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