Table of Contents
STREETSCAPE PROGRESS

William Street 2-Way Conversion

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 project will also include replacing the wheelchair ramps and modifications to the traffic signals. Construction will be completed in 2013.

Douglas Streetscape Development

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 fourth quarter of 2013.
THE LUX IS NOW LEASING!

Interior Renovations

The LUX
(redevelopment of the former Kansas Gas & Electric Building at 120 E. 1st St.) is now leasing and ready for residents to move into the 3rd floor residential units! The LUX will be a mixed-use development offering office, residential and luxury terraces overlooking the City's skyline. Residential units available include The Essential, The One Bedroom, The Two Bedroom and The Three Bedroom
EATON PLACE RENOVATIONS

Eaton Place

The Eaton Place, a 115-Unit apartment complex in the 500 block of East Douglas is creating three new live-work spaces. The new spaces are the first such units in the Eaton and will be approximately 1,000 sq. ft. each. Rents are expected to range from $1,300 to $1,600 per month and will include washers and dryers. The remodel is scheduled for completion by Dec. 1. Once these live-work spaces are leased, the Eaton Place commercial space will be 100% occupied.
PORTLAND STATE USA PROGRAM

In late July, Wichita delegates consisting of City and WDDC staff as well as representatives from Occidental Management traveled to Portland, OR to participate in its inaugural Urban Sustainability Accelerator Program. The group met with developers, design professionals and regional experts to garner input on redevelopment and sustainability practices that have been implemented in the greater Portland region. The group plans to apply lessons learned from their trip to the future development of Downtown Wichita. The program will continue over the next year with multiple conversations with Portland officials and ultimately the completion of a self-imposed work plan of sustainable practices to aid in the redevelopment efforts under way in Downtown Wichita.

TASTE & SEE

East side of Taste & See where outdoor dining will be located

North wall of Yellow Cab Company Building

Renovations to the Yellow Cab Company Building at 252 N. Mosley are almost complete and the first tenant, Taste & See, a global cuisine restaurant, is set to move in mid-October.

 

The eastern wall of the 26,000 sq. ft. building has been removed (construction shown above) to open up an outdoor dining area for the new 4,591 sq. ft. Taste & See space. Taste & See will have a capacity of 160 plus 32-36 more seats available in the outdoor dining area. The rest of the space in the Yellow Cab Company Building has been divided up (leasable areas range from 2,000-9,000 sq. ft.) and is currently available for lease. 

SHELTER SALON

Under Construction

Completed

Shelter Salon recently completed the build out for their new space at the Finn Lofts at 430 S. Commerce Suite 400. Build out included wall and ceiling construction along with floor and wall treatments. Criss Bull was the interior designer and also custom built the furniture found inside the salon. Shelter Salon's services include haircuts, waxing, styling and color treatments. Visit Shelter Salon's website for more construction photos and information.
EXECUTIVE CENTER

The Security National Life Insurance Co. of Salt Lake City, UT recently announced the acquisition of the 300,000 plus square-foot Executive Center (125 N. Market). The new owner has announced $3M - $5M in improvements that will help modernize the building's systems and update finishes, to help attract more tenants. By years end, in addition to interior improvements, they have plans to repair the sky bridge over Market Street and to also restore the rooftop time/temperature sign, which will be a great addition to the Downtown skyline. The company also has plans for future phases of improvements.

ORPHEUM/ SMG PARTNERSHIP


As of September 1, 2013 the Orpheum entered into a management agreement with SMG, the same management company as INTRUST Bank Arena in Downtown.

 

SMG will oversee the programming, marketing and operations of the theatre and all of its productions, rentals and community events. With SMG's management expertise, its marketing power, and its ability to give the Orpheum new access to their network of agents and promoters, the Orpheum can now focus on fundraising and completing the restoration of the theatre. To contribute to the renovation efforts at the theatre become a Friend of the Orpheum

BUSINESSES MOVING TO DOWNTOWN

 

Between 2012 and the end of 2013 Downtown will have seen over 70 new businesses open up in the district. View a map of the concentration of new businesses in the Downtown area.

River Vista Selected For Catalyst Site One
River Vista
Project Cost - $24.7 Million
Under Planning
River Vista

The Wichita City Council recently approved a new mixed-use development project for Project Downtown's Catalyst Site One on the west bank of the Arkansas River. The new development, River Vista, will be a 154-unit apartment project with a 20,000 SF two-story commercial building located on McLean Boulevard (to be completed in a future phase). A pool deck area and clubhouse will be available for residents. Along with this development, the City of Wichita has committed to make improvements to the riverfront and adjacent Delano Park. These enhancements will continue the connective trail system along the river and add an exciting amenity that will allow the general public to further engage the river. The project also includes a "Boats and Bikes" concept that will be used by area rowing groups and also offer public boat and bike rentals. 

 

Learn More About River Vista and See Project Renderings

 

View River Vista Site Plan

Kansas Leadership Center at Block One Complete
Kansas Health Foundation Parking Lot
Kansas Health Foundation parking lot - October 2011

Kansas Leadership Center Construction - October 2012
Kansas Leadership Center
Kansas Leadership Center Completed - October 2013
Project Cost - $9 Million
From Concept to Completion
KLC at Block One

Construction on the new 36,000-square-foot LEED-certified Kansas Leadership Center and Kansas Health Foundation Conference Center at Block One is now complete. KLC headquarters is now officially at 325 E. Douglas. The Groundbreaking Ceremony was held in July 2012 with construction commencing shortly after. Construction included a new three story building (with the third story unfinished until future expansion), a town hall meeting space with seating for 200, KLC staff offices and classrooms. The completion of this project in August of this year celebrates the first new building along the core of Douglas in 38 years.  

Firestone Place
Nearing Completion

Formerly Automobilia, the newly re-named Firestone Place is undergoing major renovations to become leasable office and retail space at the corner of 1st & Emporia. New exterior and interior renovations are set to be completed in 2013. Twotrees Technologies, which provides internet management for school districts, has already signed as the first tenant in the building. Contact Brad Saville with Landmark Commercial Real Estate for leasing information.

Corner 365

Under Construction

Garvey Center owner, Builders Inc, is constructing 36 new apartments at the corner of First and Waco. Tenant parking will be within the Garvey Center's existing garage. This new project, Corner 365, 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. 

KE Miller Engineering

Project Cost - $300,000
Completed
KE Miller Engineering completed renovations to the brick building at 117 E. Lewis into attractive professional offices inside and out. The 3,000-square-foot building was built in 1936, formerly housed three companies and had been sitting vacant for 15 years before renovations. The seven member staff at KE Miller Engineering provides cost effective engineering and surveying services to the Wichita metro area.

 

Market & Main Apartments

Project Cost - $5.4 Million
Under Planning
Sunflower Development Group based in Kansas City, MO is rehabilitating three existing apartment buildings just south of Lewis Street on Market and Main Streets. The historic red-brick structures will be converted into 52 affording housing apartments, including 16 studio units and 36 one-bedroom units in a manner that will maintain the historic character of the buildings. Each apartment will feature new central heat and air, a washer and dryer, high-end finishes such as wood floors and granite counter tops and all new kitchen appliances. The project adds affordable rental units to our highly desired Downtown residential market. Tentative project completion is scheduled for 2014.
VALUEPLACE APARTMENTS

Project Cost - $10  Million
Under Construction

The new VALUE PLACE APARTMENTS, located at 411 W. Maple, will deliver flexible living choices with all bills paid, short leases, furnished or unfurnished one, two or three bedroom new apartments on the West bank of Arkansas River and adjacent to the Wichita Ice Center.

 

The two buildings will be comprised of 133 units with rates projected to begin at $900 a month. Kitchens will feature rich brown cabinetry, a range, garbage disposal and refrigerator. Every apartment will be equipped with a stackable washer and dryer. VALUE PLACE APARTMENTS combines hotel convenience and apartment essentials. The project is scheduled for completion Spring of 2014.

INTRUST Bank Arena Additions

Project Cost - Approx. $120,000
Under Construction

INTRUST Bank Arena currently has two projects under construction. The Arena, home to the Wichita Thunder hockey team, is constructing a permanent Wichita Thunder team store. The store will be located under Entrance B on the South side on the main concourse and will be completed in time for the 2013-2014 season.

In addition, a new bar named "Guitar Bar", was recently completed on the East side of the main concourse by sections 122/123. For the last year the Arena staff has been gathering signed guitars from visiting artists that are displayed in glass on the walls of the new bar. Guitar Bar also features a giant guitar hanging from the ceiling. A set of bar stools overlooks the Arena's loading dock, where fans are able to observe pre-show crew activity. The new bar serves drinks only, including specialty cocktails.

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

Project Downtown
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