General News in the 316

[SubGod22]

A fun event if you have kids.

KSN - Gingerbread Village returning to Exploration Place

The event is a partnership between Exploration Place and the Assistance League of Wichita and will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 12 and 13. It was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID concerns.

The cost for tickets is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and children, and $6 for Exploration Place members. Tickets also include access to the Exploration Place exhibits for the day. Patrons can buy tickets for a specific time slot by clicking here. Tickets are also available at the front desk.

[SubGod22]

Speaking of the new WSU/KU med school that will be located downtown, here's a Q&A from the economic side of things and how big this could be for downtown Wichita. I posted above about how I'd use some of the vacant buildings that are just waiting to be used, and with the increased demand for housing and the business opportunities it could bring for others in the area seem to make even more sense now. I'm hoping those with the money and vision start working towards that as there's going to be a need for housing and probably office space because of this joint project in the downtown area.

WBJ - Jason Gregory Q&A: New medical campus 'a big deal' for downtown ICT

What kind of impact could this medical campus have on downtown Wichita? It could be tremendous. It's probably from a single project or projects, I mean, I think it has the potential to be the largest economic impact that we've ever seen. When you think about bringing 3,000 students and 200 faculty — let's just talk about the housing market alone. We know there's national trends that tell us, particularly young folks, prefer to live within three miles of the core. So now you have young people, young families, particularly thinking about med students, and just how close they need to stay to school just because it's pretty much all-consuming for several several years there. I could easily see us doubling the demand in downtown from that project alone for housing, so that's exciting to think about, because we've still got some vacant buildings or partially vacant buildings that can be converted, adaptive reuse to housing. Obviously, we need new construction, too, to have a variety of options. That's just the housing, then you think about the service industry, restaurants, coffee shops, all those tertiary businesses that are going to benefit from an influx of population, from a consumer standpoint, and that's exciting, too. Much less the vitality they bring to the street every day.

I'd say one of the things I'm not sure about — and we've actually asked WSU to think about — what kind of those ancillary businesses or industry that wants to relocate or be located in proximity to medical education from an office standpoint. We don't know exactly what all of those might be, but we think it'll have obviously a positive impact on the office market, too, we're just not quite as sure to what extent. I don't know how it will affect the hospitality industry, but it will have some impact, too — people coming and going.

He also mentioned that this could be the tipping point to getting a grocery store downtown. He mentioned that on paper he thinks it already makes sense, but nobody is jumping on it. However, adding so many more people to the core, which odds are this project will do, could help attract a national brand into doing something. I know a lot of people in the downtown area want one in a bad way. They may have to wait a few more years, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one by 2030 at the latest.

This project is expected to be done for fall of '26. No location has been specifically picked yet, but this is a big deal for the core.

[WstateU]

Speaking of the new WSU/KU med school that will be located downtown, here's a Q&A from the economic side of things and how big this could be for downtown Wichita. I posted above about how I'd use some of the vacant buildings that are just waiting to be used, and with the increased demand for housing and the business opportunities it could bring for others in the area seem to make even more sense now. I'm hoping those with the money and vision start working towards that as there's going to be a need for housing and probably office space because of this joint project in the downtown area.

WBJ - Jason Gregory Q&A: New medical campus 'a big deal' for downtown ICT



He also mentioned that this could be the tipping point to getting a grocery store downtown. He mentioned that on paper he thinks it already makes sense, but nobody is jumping on it. However, adding so many more people to the core, which odds are this project will do, could help attract a national brand into doing something. I know a lot of people in the downtown area want one in a bad way. They may have to wait a few more years, but I wouldn't be surprised to see one by 2030 at the latest.

This project is expected to be done for fall of '26. No location has been specifically picked yet, but this is a big deal for the core.

It's a "game changer" for WSU, WSU Tech and the City of Wichita; KU will also benefit proportionately.

[SubGod22]

A new addition to the zoo!

KWCH - Sedgwick County Zoo welcomes new giraffe

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Sedgwick County Zoo introduced a new resident this week. Seven-year-old male giraffe, Kumi, comes to Sedgwick County from Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, Michigan.

A giraffe named Elliot moved from the Sedgwick County Zoo to Binder Park Zoo as part of a “giraffe swap” the Sedgwick County Zoo said is based on the reticulated giraffe SSP’s (Species Survival Plan’s) recommendations for breeding.

Kumi has already shown interest in interacting with keepers and M.J. (Sedgwick Count Zoo giraffe), as well as exploring his new habitat,” the Sedgwick County Zoo said. “We hope everyone will give Kumi a warm welcome to Wichita.

[SubGod22]

Towanda could become the next Maize. Circle South, Circle Central, and Circle.

I do think that we will see a second HS in the Circle district at some point. With an expected growing population in NE Wichita that is within the district and the efforts that Benton is actively taking to grow and attract people and businesses, at some point they'll pull the trigger. I believe Circle is now one of the 10 largest 4A schools in the state and they may pull and Andover after they hit 5A and work towards a second school. The question would be if that school would be built in Benton or if they'd build in along Greenwich somewhere. I know Benton would active fight for it and there is plenty of land in and around the town that they could put it. They are planning to annex more land in the near future I believe.

Seeing a Circle West in the next decade wouldn't surprise me. Benton and NE Wichita being Circle West with Circle remaining Towanda and western El Dorado.


I looked up the most recent classifications based on enrollment numbers here. Circle is the 9th largest. It's definitely a growing district and will continue to be.

Interesting tidbit, the Wichita metro is home to the four largest high schools in the state. Southeast, East, North and Derby.

[SubGod22]

Since I'm talking HS's again, I was just curious how the metro is represented in each class. Some of these numbers will be close as there will be some area schools I may miss or even add that aren't officially in the metro but they are in my head for whatever reason. We know Wichita is the largest city and second largest metro in the state so I'm assuming it's highly represented outside of the bottom three classes.

6A - 9 of 36. NE KS dominates this one with 20. Those nine schools have 17,126 students.
5A - 12 of 36. NE KS has 14. Those twelve schools have 12,351 students.
4A - 10 of 36. NE KS has 5. Those eleven schools have 5,342 students.

It gets more difficult from here because you're going to start getting smaller schools where locations aren't as easy to remember for me.

3A - 10 of 64. Those ten have 2,391 students.
2A - 10 of 64. Those ten have 1,512 students.
1A - 9 of 117. Those nine have 750 students.

So that's nearly 40k HS students in the metro area. I know there are some non KSHSAA schools in the area as well which probably get you a couple hundred more between them all. I'm not sure why I started looking at student numbers other than curiosity. If you merged all nine of the 1A schools, they'd barely get into 5A. Combine the 2A schools and you're in the lower third of 6A. Combine the 3A schools and you're the third largest school in the state lol. Guess it shows how small and massive both ends of the spectrum are.

It also shows how important it is to have opportunities for jobs and entertainment for teens and young adults as there are a hell of a lot of them. Which brings me to my next question.

Is there anything that the metro area can add that would make it more attractive to young people, or people with younger families so that they know their children will have things to do to educate and/or entertain? That's an important asset when we talk about attracting new businesses and talents to the metro. It's not all about the job or cost of living, but quality of life for them and their potential families.

[SubGod22]

Good news for a local company

WBJ - AgEagle drone earns important FAA clearance

A drone line now owned by AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. in Wichita will now more easily fly above people with a designation its CEO believes could be a springboard to growth for the local manufacturer.

The company on Thursday announced that its eBee series of fixed-wing drones has been cleared by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration for operations over people and moving vehicles without the requirement of additional waivers from the FAA — cutting the time, cost and red tape for the aircraft's commercial users.

The company says that makes the eBee the only drone currently in the U.S. with a blanket approval for such operations.

Company CEO Barrett Mooney says in a press release that the designation “is expected to have material impact on AgEagle’s growth and standing as a recognized leader in the industry.”

[WuDrWu]

WBJ - Wichita Country Club launches large, multi-phase improvement project



Sounds like some nice changes are coming to WCC.

WCC has made several nice upgrades over the last 15 years or so, and this has been in the works for some time. Redoing this main area, while historic, is badly needed and will make the Club a go to destination for decades.

[JJClamdip]

This is the chili that Nu-Way uses. Owned and manufactured in Wichita since 1925. I don’t know if NuWay owns it or not.

http://www.manningschili.com

I am pretty sure they use Mannings Chili.

[WstateU]

I am pretty sure they use Mannings Chili.

Ross and I were the official taste-testers for Mannings; unfortunately their chili ended up too bland; surprised they didn’t go belly-up. We suggested a “chunkier” recipe like my momma’s, loaded with tomatoes, onions and a lotta beans… and a secret sauce. Our suggested name was “Rump Roaster”, but that was too crude back in the day. Momma’s chili would definitely ‘roast your rump’… Ross was a man (kid) of many talents; he could ‘toot’ the Star Spangled Banner after a couple helpings of momma’s chili.

[Shockm]

I am pretty sure they use Mannings Chili.

You’re one smart guy. Where did you find that out?

[Shockm]

Ross and I were the official taste-testers for Mannings; unfortunately their chili ended up too bland; surprised they didn’t go belly-up. We suggested a “chunkier” recipe like my momma’s, loaded with tomatoes, onions and a lotta beans… and a secret sauce. Our suggested name was “Rump Roaster”, but that was too crude back in the day. Momma’s chili would definitely ‘roast your rump’… Ross was a man (kid) of many talents; he could ‘toot’ the Star Spangled Banner after a couple helpings of momma’s chili.

So, Ross and you didn’t support Manning’s Chili in 1930. My mom fed it to me several decades later, and I loved it. It’s still being sold and manufactured in Wichita today. Too bad you didn’t support local companies. You can still buy it in Dillons stores today.

[WstateU]

So, Ross and you didn’t support Manning’s Chili in 1930. My mom fed it to me several decades later, and I loved it. It’s still being sold and manufactured in Wichita today. Too bad you didn’t support local companies. You can still buy it in Dillons stores today.

Wendy’s is close to momma’s “Rump Roasters”, but she doesn’t have the kick.

[Shockm]

Wendy’s is close to momma’s “Rump Roasters”, but she doesn’t have the kick.

Wendy’s Rump Roaster’s from Columbus Ohio. Ross, Freddie, JJ, and you (maybe Pogo too) must have been 65, in 1969, when your mom fed you your first Wendy’s Chili, all the way from Columbus Ohio.

[JJClamdip]

You’re one smart guy. Where did you find that out?

I have eaten Mannings Chili since the 60’s so a lot of experience with it.

Like everything it is acquired taste, and I love it.