General News in the 316

[SubGod22]

Something we don't see much around here.

WBJ - Wichita group launches construction on east-side Class A office building

In recent years, there hasn't been much in the way of new Class A office construction that isn't owner-occupied in Wichita.

But a new local development group sees an opportunity in just that area.

Zero Point Development LLC recently broke ground on a 7,700 square-foot Class A office building on the northwest corner of Central and Webb Road in east Wichita. The building shell and common areas are expected to be wrapped by March, with interior spaces available to be built-to-suit for a single tenant or multiple tenants.

Barclay Prime Investments LLC is teaming with Zero Point on the effort. It's the first joint project for the recently created entities, both led by Bryon McNeil, an ER doctor who has previous development experience.

Christopher Arellano, a Hinkle Law Firm attorney and investor in the project, said the group believes the high-traffic intersection — across Webb from Textron Aviation's east-side campus — and the lack of non-owner-occupied new office construction in the city combine to make it an in-demand opportunity for professional office users seeking fresh space.

"We really do believe we're going to get good traction," he said.

I rode by this intersection on Tuesday after therapy in the College Hill area and wondered what was going on there. Here's my answer.

[Veritas]

Should be better than the Cessna stadium construction cam lately as the only thing of interest now is the wasp nest that appears to have been built in close proximity to the camera.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tRXZ-T3nBj8

Getting some work done now!!!
Very nice to see the activity.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Wichita's five largest commercial construction projects happening right now

Wichita Biomedical Campus, Phase 1: $171 million

Construction crews from Hutton and JE Dunn have leveled the site after completing below-ground work on the first phase of the Wichita Biomedical Campus at the southeast corner of Broadway and William. Phase 1 construction includes an eight-story, 350,000 square-foot building that will be completed by the end of 2026...

Golden Circle: $81.5 million

Construction is progressing quickly at billionaire Phil Ruffin's $81.5 million Golden Circle at the former Wichita Greyhound Park site in Park City. The Law Co. serves as general contractor, and crews were seen working on the roofing and interior of the east facility of the casino last month...

Ovation Apartments: $40.1 million

Vantage Point Properties CEO Paul Jackson is developing Ovation Apartments, including 10 three-story apartment buildings at 37th Street and Ridge Road, immediately north of his Avante project. A $40 million, 252-unit Class A complex, the apartment project is under construction and its first units are set to be delivered in spring 2025...

Ascension Via Christi St. Joseph emergency department expansion: $22 million

Via Christi St. Joseph, at 3600 E. Harry St., is expanding its emergency department. The project is expected to cost $22 million, which will be funded through the state's American Rescue Plan Act funds approved by Gov. Laura Kelly and the Legislature. The expansion will add 21,000 square feet to the emergency department, totaling 36,000 square feet...

Exploration Place playscape: $20 million

Located on the southeast portion of Exploration Place's property, the outdoor project Playscape is described as a new generation of playground with a theme-park feel for all ages. The project is expected to be completed in October 2025...

[SubGod22]

More traffic news

KAKE - K-96, I-135 ramp closures to begin November 5

Beginning on Monday, November 5, the Kansas Department of Transportation will close the westbound K-96 ramps to I-135 and the southbound I-135 ramp to eastbound K-96 to begin demolition operations. The closures will take place nightly from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

During this time, westbound K-96 traffic will follow the signed detour to Hydraulic Avenue, then take ramps to either northbound or southbound I-135.

There is no detour for the southbound I-135 ramp; motorists will need to find alternate routes.

It is anticipated that these nightly closures will occur daily under the same time frame. The goal is to reopen traffic by before 7 a.m. each morning. Estimated completion is set for early December, conditions permitting.

[SubGod22]

KSN - Botanica's Illuminations nominated again for '10Best'

Illuminations at Botanica has again been nominated for USA Today’s 10Best Readers Choice Awards for Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights for 2024.

Voting is open daily until noon on Dec. 2. The top 10 will be announced on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

“We’re honored to be nominated again,” says Dr. Lynette A. Zimmerman, Botanica’s Executive Director, in a news release. “This fabulous event has become a beloved Wichita tradition, offering unforgettable holiday experiences and memories for friends and families each year.”

Illuminations placed fourth last year and eighth in 2022. This year, it competes with botanical gardens across the country and against Luminary Walk at Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Gardens here in Kansas.

You can vote daily for Illuminations at Botanica by clicking here.

[SubGod22]

Local internet provider continues to grow and expand.

WBJ - Kansas internet provider IdeaTek makes acquisition

A fast-growing Kansas internet provider is expanding its service area with an acquisition.

IdeaTek, based in Buhler, announced Friday that it acquired the Kansas operations of Rise Broadband, a wireless broadband service provider headquartered in Englewood, Colo., which will expand the company's services further into Marion, Harvey, Butler and McPherson counties.

Rise Broadband provides internet services in 16 states in the Midwest and southwest parts of the country.

Daniel Freisen, co-founder and chief innovation officer at IdeaTek, said in a news release that the company will "begin working immediately" on upgrading Rise Broadband’s network to a fiber-fed infrastructure, which will improve capabilities for new customers.

“We believe every Kansan deserves access to affordable, reliable internet, no matter where they live. This acquisition brings us closer to that goal in central Kansas," Freisen said.

Terms of the deal were undisclosed.

Founded in 1999, IdeaTek has more than 160 Kansas employees and serves 110 communities in the state. That number continues to grow.

I've become a big fan of IdeaTek.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Wichita Marriott to complete $2.5M in hotel improvements in February

The Wichita Marriott at Kellogg and Webb Road is working on a $2.5 million renovation and remodeling effort on its first floor.

The hotel, at 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive, began improvements on its 35,000 square-foot first floor in September, said the hotel's director of food and beverage Kate Rose.

Rose said the project involves new ceiling paint, new carpets and a new sound system for its ballroom. It will also add new furniture — like chairs and barstools — for the banquet area, the hotel's Greatroom Restaurant and Bar, the media center and boardroom.

The east-side Marriott, which has 295 rooms and is the third-largest hotel in Wichita, is also introducing a new gathering concept on the northeast section of the floor where it used to have the Fireside Grille, Rose said. The new concept, called Room 9100, will be a casual cocktail lounge experience that will primarily serve cocktails and appetizers with small, sharable plates. Rose said the space for the new concept can host around 26 people and will have lounge seating.

The hotel previously went through a $15M renovation project that added new plumbing, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

It's always nice to see investments being made in Wichita. I've often wondered what kind of business the Marriott gets over there.