Riverfront Legacy Masterplan

[SHOCKvalue]

I mean this in all sincerity: how do you know so much about all of these things? You have either worked in public policy locally or are a urban development junkie. Either way, I’m impressed by the depth of your opinions.

I’m no one special, just work/have worked in commercial construction and RE. Oodles of people who know/connected more, rest assured.

[vbird53]

Because people need a vision. With just asking Wichitans for money...they'll vote for no money. Just look how hard they fought against a small sunset tax for the arena.

This thread is the best true back-and-forth I've seen on downtown development. Folks are clearly demonstrating why there is so little confidence that the city will pull of a $1 billion investment that outshines the peer cities. There is critically low private or philanthropic dollars available to support this, meaning the brunt will fall to the taxpayers. Plus, there have been so many failed projects over the last 25 years that everyone surely has their right to antagonize. Not to mention 2,800 workers and their families are picking up the pieces while facing layoffs.

However, it is vitally important for the city to move forward with performing arts, conventions, hotels, bars, restaurants, gathering places, etc., etc. We cannot continue to fall further behind these peer cities. The economy is in desperate need of diversification and an injection of hope.

Make the $1 billion plan shine, go over the top to convince the naysayers. Find some additional private investment to take some of the burden off the taxpayers. Finish the west bank - ballpark and adjoining village - to regain some confidence. Give us something for everyone.

But my original thought still prevails: renovate CII like a UFO landed on top of it (a la Soldier Field in Chicago). The hard truth is that even before the ink is dry on this $1 billion, at least another $1 billion will be necessary to bring Wichita on par with the peers, and they're now planning their next $2-3 billion projects.

[Veritas]

Definitely think it should move forward.

A little complaint though. Stop showing artists renderings on things that are not under consideration. There won’t be a river pool for folks to swim in, so why show it? The new baseball stadium had artists rendering of a Ferris wheel which lasted about a week. Show something approaching reality., especially with the current mistrust of the local city leaders (which I hope the Charmin Man is able to fix)

[Veritas]

60% needs to be funded through some type of tax with the remaining through philanthropy and private investment..

Not sure what else could possibly be done with CII. It’s lasted 50years, which is slightly less than that old architectural gem The Forum. I guess they could gut out the middle and make a fantastic air museum.. the current one is too far off the beaten trail, under marketed, too small, and unknown.

http://www.historicpreservationalliance.com/WichitaHPA/the_forum.html

Wonder how many were in angst over the demise of The Forum

Has anyone heard of private investment coming forward to save CII with a 1.5B investment in the East Bank Masterplan?
Are these guys simpler to the Minnesota Guys but local?

[Kung Wu]

Does CII have asbestos? If it does, nuke it.

[SHOCKvalue]

Has anyone heard of private investment coming forward to save CII with a 1.5B investment in the East Bank Masterplan?
Are these guys simpler to the Minnesota Guys but local?

Would bet good money that’s a racket/ploy by the save C2 crowd. It looks so fake I fear for the gullibility of people who are actually taking it at face value.

[Veritas]

Would bet good money that’s a racket/ploy by the save C2 crowd. It looks so fake I fear for the gullibility of people who are actually taking it at face value.

Agree... Going to take Ruffin money (maybe even Koch)
Cant see this happening.

https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Groups-vague-plan-for-Century-II-includes-15-billion-to-repurpose-building-568100051.html

[Kung Wu]

Awww, don't worry about asbestos, most of it is contained by the lead based paint.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

Call me crazy, but I would think if you're serious about spending a billion and a half bucks to buy a city owned building and the land it sits on to redevelop it into a major attraction, and the city is threatening to tear down said building, your FIRST call is to the city.

There's all kinds of things--from the crappy photoshop job on the proposal, to the as yet anonymous developers, to the backwards public announcement--that don't smell right about this situation. I don't think it's Kung Wu's asbestos.

[Kung Wu]

There's all kinds of things--from the crappy photoshop job on the proposal, to the as yet anonymous developers, to the backwards public announcement--that don't smell right about this situation. I don't think it's Kung Wu's asbestos.

It's probably the formaldehyde in the old wood panels and doors you are smelling.

[Veritas]

Park City investing about $600m into a city center with aquarium
Any updates about the Riverfront Legacy Plan or is it similar to cicadas that come out once every 17 years with nothing left but an empty shell of promise?

any updates?

[Veritas]

This is from Feb 2023 with Whipple as Mayor

https://www.kmuw.org/news/2023-02-28/new-plans-for-wichitas-downtown-riverfront-unveiled?_amp=true

[shocktown]

Park City doesn’t have to deal with a White Elephant preservation coalition to negotiate around.

[SubGod22]

Century II is the biggest roadblock to developing the riverfront. It holds back the Performing Arts and limits what Wichita can bring in even on the convention side.

I admit, I've never been enamored with the structure itself. I don't find it interesting or attractive. It stands out like a sore thumb. Hell, my old high school had a domed area that stood out and made it unique and even they tore that down when it was time to improve the facilities.

But regardless of what they do with CII, they absolutely need to build a new PA facility. Wichita has a lot to offer in the performing arts world and they all deserve a better facility. To me, CII is just taking up valuable space that could be better utilized for the city. Hell, even as a green space it would provide more value than it does now in my opinion.

[shoxlax]

Waiting for our friend SHOCKvalue to weigh in.