Table of Contents
DOUGLAS UNDERPASS REVITALIZATION


Yesterday members of the community attended a public meeting to give input on preliminary schematic design concepts for the historic Douglas Avenue Underpass. This is the second of three public input meetings, with the third to be scheduled later this summer. To derive these design concepts, the WDDC was awarded a grant though the Knight Foundation to revitalize this key connector in Downtown Wichita. Learn more

If you were unable to attend the public meeting, please provide input via a survey on Activate Wichita, which will be posted soon.
DOWNTOWN IN THE NEWS


From shops and restaurants, to new places to live, Wichita's Downtown area is seeing growth where it hasn't before with even more developments in the works. View the news video, "Downtown Wichita sees $291 Million investment since 2010" from KWCH 12 which aired June 2.
WDDC STAFF UPDATE
Abbie Smith, a graduate of Kansas State University, started as WDDC's Design & Communications Specialist in February of this year. Abbie assists with WDDC communication services including social media account management, WDDC brand management, graphic design, photography and special event marketing. She is in charge of keeping the WDDC website active and up-to-date in addition to producing the Downtown Weekly Events Email.

For the third year, Westar Energy has generously funded the WDDC Design Internship Program. During the summer of 2014, Rachel Fox, a Masters in Landscape Architecture candidate from Kansas State University, joins the staff at the WDDC. Rachel brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to WDDC and will be able to graphically illustrate the concepts discussed in the Design & Innovation Center. Rachel is assisting with current and proposed Downtown development concepts that will elevate conversations regarding future development projects.
CENTURY II
Planning and design options for the future of Century II's convention and performing arts facilities continue with the design team of GLMV, Populous, and Sasaki Associates. The public will be asked to provide input at a meeting to be held later this summer.
ENTREPRENEURS WIN OFFICE SPACE AT 125 N. MARKET

Last weekend a group of almost 50 creatives teamed up for a 54-hour race to launch startups at the third Startup Weekend. The winner of the Judges' Choice Award, Bang & Burn, was awarded a year, rent free, of Downtown office space on the 14th floor at 125 N. Market, which has panoramic views of the City. Bang & Burn is a retro-futuristic card game which incorporates a mobile app. The WDDC thanks Security National Life for providing the lease space for Bang & Burn. View the news article from the Wichita Business Journal to learn more about this entrepreneurial initiative generated by The Labor Party.
DOWNTOWN CLEAN UP BRINGS OVER 100 VOLUNTEERS
On Saturday, April 12 the WDDC and City of Wichita Public Works & Park and Rec Departments partnered to facilitate the annual Downtown Clean Up. Over 100 volunteers gave up their Saturday morning to complete street sweeping, painting, picking up trash, graffiti removal and landscaping in A. Price Woodard Park. Dynamic improvements were made throughout Downtown in just a few short hours of work. These improvements would not have been possible without these volunteers - thank you! View photos
2013 State of Downtown Report
Documenting Downtown's Transformation

The WDDC is pleased to present the 2013 State of Downtown Report. The report provides economic data that documents the transformation of our City's center. It also gives an overview of investment and activity in major markets: residential, commercial, hospitality and entertainment. WDDC initiatives, development project updates and Downtown demographic trends are also presented in the document.

 

View the digital 2013 State of Downtown Report

 

Download a high resolution PDF 2013 State of Downtown Report

2013 State of Downtown Report Highlights

Since adoption of Project Downtown in 2010 

 

1) Approximately $250 Million in Private Downtown Investment

2) Over $30 Million in Public Downtown Investment

3) Approximately $10 Million in INTRUST Bank Arena Investment

4) 669 Residential Units Planned or Under Construction

5) 37 Completed Development Projects
P.U.M.A.'s Global Trends Report

As demographics change, Downtowns are emerging as the desired place to be. Highly skilled and sought after Millennials continue to seek urban lifestyles while empty nester Baby Boomers choose to downsize and move into city centers. These changing demographics favor urban amenities in cities both large and small. P.U.M.A.'s (Progressive Urban Management Associates) "Top 10 Global Trends Affecting Downtowns," released spring 2014, looks at these top trends in demographics, lifestyles, and global competition and places them in the unique context of city centers. These national trends, such as an increase in downtown residential bases, are happening in Wichita as shown in the 2013 State of Downtown Report. As Wichita continues to increase its competitiveness, continued interest and investment in Downtown's urban amenities will be vital to attracting this demographic to our City center.
Two-way William Street Conversion Complete

The City of Wichita recently completed the conversion of William Street from a one-way West-bound street to a two-way street from Main to Emporia. The project also included pavement improvements and restriping to allow for two-way traffic, replacing the wheelchair ramps and modifications to the traffic signals. The completion of this project will enhance vehicular circulation around Block One, which includes the recently completed Kansas Leadership Center, Ambassador Hotel and Block One Parking Garage.
Macy's Garage Renovation 

The Wichita City Council recently approved a plan to renovate the former Macy's Garage at 215 S. Market, which the City gained ownership of in November 2013. The renovations will allow the garage to fully utilize 550 spaces of the nine-story structure, benefiting nearby business and the public. Fences surrounding the garage will be removed when construction is finished, opening up the closed traffic lanes on Market and William. Tentative completion is scheduled for December 2014/spring 2015.
Downtown Residential Update

Corner 365

Scheduled Completion - Summer 2014

 

Garvey Center owner, Builders Inc., is nearing completion of 36 new apartments at the corner of First and Waco. The first tenants have already moved in and finishing touches are being made to complete construction. This new project dramatically transforms the prominent intersection and will be a catalyst for further development along the First Street corridor. Apartments are now leasing. Contact 316.261.5335 or visit corner365.com to learn more.
518-520 Commerce

Craig Slawson, of Slawson Exploration Co., has purchased three buildings along Commerce Street. The project will include 16 residential units and commercial space. The three structures total 33,750 square feet. El Dorado Inc. is the project architect. The Southernmost building is planned as commercial space, the North building will add 16 residential spaces, two of which will be dual-story units with protected garage parking. The exterior design of 518-520 Commerce will promote connectivity with neighboring buildings and increased foot traffic for Final Friday. Learn More
143 N. Rock Island
 
Old Town developer Dave Burk is renovating the former Grant-Billingly building at 143 N. Rock Island. The building, constructed in 1923, was used as office and warehouse space for the Grant-Billingly fruit company. The project includes eight upscale apartment units above three retail/office spaces. Six of the eight apartments will be two-level. The apartment units will range from 600-1,700 square feet with rent ranging between $1,000-1,850 per month. The retail/office spaces range from 1,000-4,000 square feet. For more property information call 316.267.0505.
The LUX
Scheduled Completion - Summer 2014

The LUX is the redevelopment of the former Kansas Gas & Electric Building. The mixed-use development project offers office, residential and rooftop terraces overlooking the City's skyline. The LUX is poised to develop a unique sense of community and place in Downtown Wichita while keeping true to the building's original 1950's character. Both residential and commercial spaces are now leasing. Contact 316.290.9596 or visit theluxliving.com to learn more.
WaterWalk Apartments
Scheduled Completion - 2014

The new WaterWalk 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. Learn More

For a full list of Downtown projects, visit
Wichita Downtown Development Corporation
507 East Douglas
Wichita, KS 67202
316.264.6005
Project Downtown
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