General News in the 316

[SubGod22]

AOL - Seven new warehouses coming near Integra Technologies site in Bel Aire

Michael Le had been eyeing Bel Aire for warehouse development even before Integra Technologies chose to locate in the city.

“I was going to build it regardless,” he said of what he’s calling his Bayside industrial development.

He said tax incentives in Bel Aire make doing business there attractive.

However, he said, the microchip manufacturing and testing plant’s decision to locate a 1-million-square-foot building at the southeast corner of Rock Road and K-254 gives him even more confidence to build close by — across from Wichita Hoops, which is near 53rd North and Webb Road.

“We’re going to build seven warehouses,” Le said.

He plans to start construction on the first one next month.

Not a bad plan as who knows what Integra will need or encourage in the area. Each warehouse is expected to be 175,000 square feet and room for 20-30 semis to be parked.

Still waiting to hear about the federal grant/funding that is expected to be given to Integra along with the local and state incentives.

[SubGod22]

I pretty much anything that helps encourage and/or establish new business and entrepreneurs.

WBJ - Looking for your first Wichita commercial space? Occidental has a spot for you

A first-of-its-kind pitch competition later this summer aims to put a new startup into a prime northwest Wichita commercial space — with a slate of special perks.

Occidental Management will launch the UpStart ICT Challenge on July 26.

The Wichita-based company says the winner will get an extensive prize: a lease with favorable terms at Occidental's Tyler Pointe Shopping Center in northwest Wichita, a marketing and publicity package, architectural services, pre-construction support and more.
.....
UpStart ICT is open to a prospective business, new franchise, or current home- or online-based business looking to expand into a commercial space, Occidental Management noted in a news release. The company added that already-existing businesses desiring expansion or relocation are not eligible.

The challenge kicks off with an open house from 9 to 11 a.m. July 26 at what Occidental calls the "challenge space" — suites 101 and 102 at 8641 W. 13th St. in Tyler Pointe, where the eventual winner will have the opportunity to move into.
.....
Among other perks, the winner's reward package includes:

• A 42-month minimum lease, including six months of free base rent
• Alloy Architecture architectural services
• Conco Construction pro-bono pre-construction support and budgeting, along with a construction fee discount and mentorship from Craig Nelson, Conco's president and CEO
• A business consultation with Oborny

I love that we have those in Wichita that do and support things like this. We have a few incubator type facilities to help people get their businesses off the ground and a couple of competitions that help with investment into businesses and now we have this one that on the surface seems like a great win for whoever gets it. Really cuts into the startup costs that can scare people away.

[SubGod22]

MSN - KDOT hosts public meeting about K-254 expansion

The Kansas Department of Transportation is planning an expansion of Kansas Highway 254 from Wichita to El Dorado and hosted a meeting to get the public’s input Tuesday evening.

The meeting began at 5:30 p.m. at Circle Middle School in Benton and ran until 7 p.m.

Residents from Sedgwick and Butler Counties asked questions to learn more about the project.

“I have a neighbor at an intersection where, if they put an overpass over it, she could lose a good part of her land. So it’s, there are some unknowns,” Don Langford, a Sedgwick County resident, said.

The planning process will continue through the summer of 2024.

No real news in this news article, but I do believe there are at least two other meetings scheduled for this. I believe one is in El Dorado.

I've long been a proponent of adding some sort of overpass system. I believe the intersections of Rock, Webb, Greenwich, Butler, Main (Benton), Adams (Sante Fe), River Valley (Towanda), and Ohio are absolute musts for a bridge network to alleviate cross traffic and accidents at those well used intersections. That would leave other intersections needing some sort of access roads to those intersections to access the highway. That would include 127th, 143rd, County Line, Meadowlark, Tawakoni, Indianola, Hunter, and Shumway. 127th, 143rd and County Line are three consecutive roads and you could maybe argue putting an access point at 143rd, though 127th and County Line would be a mile from another access point already so maybe not. Same could be said for the three consecutive roads in Butler between Main in Benton and Adams Rd between Benton and Towanda.

So you'd be looking, I believe, at at least eight bridges being an absolute necessity for traffic between Woodlawn (which already has one) and Ohio (East edge of Towanda and goes into Augusta). It's roughly 20 miles of road that needs a lot of work to make it safer without harming traffic flow.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Kayaks give Wichitans a new view of parts of downtown they love

For all the talk about activating the Arkansas River with development on both banks downtown, a city of Wichita program is attempting to activate the river from the water itself.

A self-service kayak rental program from the city's parks and recreation department gives residents the chance to get up close to a couple of the downtown area's most scenic views.

"The location that's right next to the (Riverside) Tennis Center gives you connectivity to the Little Arkansas, and that is the perfect current," parks and recreation director Troy Houtman said. "Even on heavy flow days, it's just a great place to paddle around."

The other river location is on the east bank under the Kellogg bridge, at 605 S. Wichita. Users can paddle north to get close to the Keeper of the Plains access not available from Riverside Tennis Center.

"What has been popular is people renting in the evenings to get closer to the Keeper," Houtman said.

They've had over 400 rentals so far and are planning more advertising for it after the 4th. A simple and fun option for many. We still need more development along the river, but this is another way to add to the potential of it all.

[Kel Varnsen]

Tweet was deleted but Bradley Fair Island caught on fire last night. Wow.

[ShockBand]

Tweet was deleted but Bradley Fair Island caught on fire last night. Wow.

Here is a video with various angles. I was there last night, but over across the street near the Weigand building. The fire was VERY tall when it was at its max.

[Kung Wu]

Scheel's is stupid packed today!

They had some very hard to find .303 British rounds for my son's Lee Enfield. First store we have ever found them in.

[WstateU]

Scheel's is stupid packed today!

They had some very hard to find .303 British rounds for my son's Lee Enfield. First store we have ever found them in.

Lego WuShock looks pretty cool… I hope the Shocker section is worthy.

[Kung Wu]

Lego WuShock looks pretty cool… I hope the Shocker section is worthy.

Yeah the Lego WuShock was awesome and they had a ton of WSU gear!

[Ta Town Shocker]

The amount of WSU gear compared to the flagship is roughly 3x1. They also have a wall highlighting their partnership with WSU athletics. Plenty of non sporting goods related stuff and a candy store for the kids. Definitely worth a visit.

[Ta Town Shocker]

I received an email today regarding a 10% proposed rate increase from Evergy. At least part of the proceeds are to support the purchase of wind energy. The email didn't go into much detail on the reasoning. 10% seems pretty steep. I put in a comment on the KCC website to oppose the hike. Anyone have more info or comments?

[SHOCKvalue]

Here is a video with various angles. I was there last night, but over across the street near the Weigand building. The fire was VERY tall when it was at its max.

When did the Steven family get into the fireworks display business?

Was there a Gulfstream or Citation circling overhead filled with strippers and cocaine by chance?

[SHOCKvalue]

Scheel's is stupid packed today!

They had some very hard to find .303 British rounds for my son's Lee Enfield. First store we have ever found them in.

Nice selection of everything and a solid add to Wichita. Sure looks like they are going to be a great partner to WSU athletics, which in our current state is much needed. The store though is a little claustrophobic compared to the typical Scheel's model. Plenty of SF, but really lacks the open floor plan, miniature mall feel of their normal setup.

[pogo]

Nice selection of everything and a solid add to Wichita. Sure looks like they are going to be a great partner to WSU athletics, which in our current state is much needed. The store though is a little claustrophobic compared to the typical Scheel's model. Plenty of SF, but really lacks the open floor plan, miniature mall feel of their normal setup.

That was my impression as well. Aisles seemed really close and not much room for more than two people across. Sales staff knew what they were selling not just some kid to guide you to some general area of interest. But all in all this is a nice addition to Wichita. Saw lots of tags from a lot of different counties especially western Kansas.

[SubGod22]

A little more on the HHR bids.

WBJ - One of 3 sites in Sedgwick County could have electronic gambling machies



He also wants to use some of the money they'd make to reopen Eureka Downs and rejuvenate horse racing in Kansas.



Little is known about the full plans here.



Boyd has the financial backing and a good plan.

It's hard to choose favorites in this. We don't know anything about what Ruffin would do other than put in the machines. Obviously that's not enough and I'm sure he has more planned than that.

It would be an interesting way to try and reinvigorate Towne West. I could see that working out well and bringing new life to the west side tomb.

Boyd definitely has a vision that you can picture and it's hard to believe it wouldn't be successful, assuming HHR would be a big deal anyway. [/COLOR]


It will be interesting to see who gets the nod. I think I'm kind of pulling for the Towne West bid.

The Towne West bid has been withdrawn.

The HHR will go to Park City and it comes down to Ruffin and the track and Boyd and the area over near Hartman