General News in the 316

[AndShock]

I’m curious what effect limiting home ownership to individuals or putting a cap on number of homes would have on pricing especially in places where home ownership for most people has become completely unrealistic. I’m lucky that I bought my $80k home right before the market really took off.

[SubGod22]

Another small, local company with growing business and exposure.

WBJ - Fast-growing Wichita creative agency moves to new downtown space

According to McClure, the company doubled in revenue last year, is projected to double again this year, and "if things go as planned, there's no reason why we shouldn't double next year."
Justin McClure Creative has been propelled by high-profile national clients — but is also making a local splash.

"The clients are getting bigger," McClure said.

That includes when it did tackled logo animation and other services more than two years ago for the launch of Discovery's Discovery+ streaming service — which has led to additional brand exposure for JMC.

"It was three months of amazingness," he said. "And now we have the same opportunity with a couple new brands that I can't say anything about yet, and that we're hopefully revealing over the next six months."

Justin McClure Creative has also worked with National Geographic World and is involved in name, image and likeness (NIL) advertisements.
Locally, McClure highlighted the importance of Meritrust Credit Union, Thrive Restaurant Group and Sunbelt Rentals as key parts of his company's growth by being retainer clients.

A business that you're not necessarily going to use or notice much, but they're doing things and growing. Working with Discovery+ isn't nothing. Curious what the current projects they're working on are that have them excited.

[SubGod22]

Eagle - ArenaPointe has new tenants, one of which is going to start the party before moving in

In late 2020, marketer Bruce Rowley and partners in the ArenaPointe building at the southeast corner of Waterman and Emporia announced they planned to transform “a warehouse that is essentially invisible to something that tips its hat to the arena.”

The building is ready now, and three new tenants are in varying stages of occupancy there.

That includes the national architecture firm Galloway & Co., which will open there early this summer; Rowley’s RSM Marketing, which has mostly moved in; and the new Solly & Jude’s bar and restaurant, which will open in late spring.

Prior to the restaurant’s opening, Solly & Jude’s will host some beer gardens in the parking lot before events at Intrust Bank Arena.

It's nice to see another food and beverage option in the Arena District and I hope we see more over time. I would think there's a market for that as long as IBA is putting together enough events to help pull people into the area. Though I think as we start seeing more apartments pop up in the downtown area, which we are and will, it'll also help the growth of other retail/dining options in the area.

[SubGod22]

Also an FYI if you haven't been around the north junction, sometime middle of last week they opened up the exit for southbound 135 from west bound 254/235. It also looks like the new west bound 235 exit from northbound 135 should open up in the next month or so.

I'm not sure how much is left in that immediate area to do, but it's close to alleviating a lot of problems at that specific spot. I haven't been on southbound 135 in a while to know where they're at with the work they're doing on/at 96, but that seems to be where the shifting focus will be soon.

[SubGod22]

Ouch

WBJ - How Bell beat Sikorsky-Boeing for FLRAA helicopter contract

According to a 38-page report released by the Government Accountability Office, the Bell V-280 won out on the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft contract despite being the more expensive option between it and its competitor.

That competitor was the Defiant X from the team of the Sikorsky unit of Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) and the Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA).

The Defiant X contract cost was estimated at $4.4 billion, while the Bell bid had an estimated cost of $8 billion.

However, the GAO report also revealed that the Army found the Sikorsky-Boeing bid fell short in key areas that could not be offset by cost savings.

That included most notably a ranking of “unacceptable” on the aircraft’s design related to its architecture.

Sounds like Sikorsky absolutely dropped the ball and as a result didn't even give themselves a fighting chance to win the contract. It's obviously a greater benefit to Wichita that they didn't win.

[SubGod22]

Riverfest Music plans announced.

MSN - Wichita Riverfest rolls out its list of 2023 musical performers

Friday, June 2: Shaggy, perhaps best known for the 1990s hits "It Wasn't Me" and "Angel," will be the opening-night headliner. He was on the lineup in 2000, when the festival was canceled because of the pandemic, and never got to play in Wichita. Earlier in the night, Cash Hollistah (hip-hop) will perform, as will DJ Carbon.

Saturday, June 3: Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, an Americana band whose members hail from Tennessee, are the headliners. They'll be preceded by Wilderado (indie folk) and Reid Haughton (singer/songwriter).




Sunday, June 4: Parker Millsap, a singer/songwriter with an Americana sound who frequently performs in Wichita, will headline the night. Also on stage will be D'Aydrian Harding, a Wichita native whose comedy videos have earned him 7 million TikTok followers and helped him pull in 5-10 million views a month on YouTube. "We are reaching out to a new audience this year," Remsberg said.

Monday, June 5: Le'Andria Johnson, who won the BET gospel singing competition "Sunday Best" in its third season, will headline the festival's annual Gospelfest. Also on the bill: gospel group Blind Boys of Alabama.

Tuesday, June 6: Eli Young Band, a country act whose members met at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas, are the main act for the night. Texas Hill is the opener.

Wednesday, June 7: Gin Blossoms, a band that found fame in the 1990s with hits like "Hey Jealousy" and "Follow You Down" will headline Wednesday night. Singer/songwriter Desure, whose music blends country, folk, rock and indie, will open.

Thursday, June 8: New Orleans-based brass ensemble The Soul Rebels will headline Thursday night, which is traditionally Cajun night and also includes the Cajun food fest. Earlier in the evening, crowds can see homegrown rapper XV and Kansas City's Ernest James Zydeco.

Friday, June 9: Edén Muñoz is the headliner of a long list of bands performing as part of the festival's annual Friday-night Fiesta del Rio. The bill this year also includes Los De La Sierra, Pepe Y Los Diamantes De Ojinaga, Mariachi America, Los Humildes Hermanos Ayala and DJ Tynno Morales.

Saturday, June 10: Parmalee, a country music group known for the hit "Take My Name," will be the closing-night headliners for the Riverfest. Opening acts include Jenna & Martin and Jared "Pete" Gile, a singer/songwriter from Kansas.

I'd say Shaggy is a pretty good get. Dude was everywhere in the late 90s. Eli Young Band as well as the Gin Blossoms are also pretty solid attractions. I've heard of Parmalee but couldn't tell you much about them off the top of my head.

I'm sure the others are good too, but it's always interesting to see what kind of "big" names they find.

[SubGod22]

Pickleball coming to south Wichita.

KSN - Wichita to spend $6M on pickleball complex

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — After more than an hour and 15 minutes of talk, the Wichita City Council voted unanimously to spend more than $6 million on a pickleball complex in south Wichita.

The Parks and Recreation Department said the complex will meet the city’s growing demand for pickleball courts.

The complex would be built at South Lakes Park, 5300 S. Meridian. The park is 240 acres, one of the largest city parks.

The estimated cost for the pickleball complex is $6.15 million. At least one opponent spoke against the City spending that much money on pickleball.

I get that pickleball is a growing sport/activity, but I'm not sure if it justifies $6.15M.

[shocktheheart]

Pickleball coming to south Wichita.

KSN - Wichita to spend $6M on pickleball complex



I get that pickleball is a growing sport/activity, but I'm not sure if it justifies $6.15M.

It doesn't and it is ridiculous that they have no idea on the return of their investment.

[SHOCKvalue]

Pickleball coming to south Wichita.

KSN - Wichita to spend $6M on pickleball complex



I get that pickleball is a growing sport/activity, but I'm not sure if it justifies $6.15M.

Wonder which member of local government got that greased through for their buddy?

What potential uses may it be converted to in the future when ten years from now pickleball is akin to someone with a flat top haircut carrying around a boombox on their shoulder?

[shocktown]

Wonder which member of local government got that greased through for their buddy?

What potential uses may it be converted to in the future when ten years from now pickleball is akin to someone with a flat top haircut carrying around a boombox on their shoulder?

Double wide pads?

[Kung Wu]

Wonder which member of local government got that greased through for their buddy?

What potential uses may it be converted to in the future when ten years from now pickleball is akin to someone with a flat top haircut carrying around a boombox on their shoulder?

Isn't that Haysville?

[shocktown]

Isn't that Haysville?

Haysville is south of 63rd except for the High School grounds.

[SHOCKvalue]

Isn't that Haysville?

No, still Wichita. Haysville northern city limits still about 2 miles south.

[SubGod22]

A little good news for Andover as the YMCA will have their waterpark up and running this summer. The building itself is still a long ways off.

WBJ - One year after tornado, Andover YMCA preps for May waterpark opening

Closed since it was struck by a destructive EF-3 tornado nearly a year ago, the Andover YMCA branch is targeting a May 27 reopening of its outdoor waterpark.

"We're cautiously optimistic about that, a few things have to fall into place but we're working toward that," saidRon McMahon, CEO of the Greater Wichita YMCA. "The waterpark will have all new features."

That includes a new splash pad and cabanas that can be reserved for special occasions.

Meanwhile, construction work continues on a rebuild of rest of the branch, targeted to open sometime in 2024.

As for the building itself, here's a little update.

As for the remaining site, the YMCA plans to "build it better than it was," including replacing the old rock climbing wall at the entrance, which McMahon said was underutilized, with a new, uniquely designed children's climbing structure from a brand called Luckey.

Luckey climbers consist of climbing platforms suspended by steel pipes and cables. The nearest Luckey climbers are at Union Station in Kansas City and the Aquarium at the Boardwalk in Branson, Mo.

Visible from Kellogg, McMahon said the structure will be aesthetically pleasing.
.....

The plans for the new branch also include a maker studio space, and the transformation of the old racquetball courts into a ninja zone, which is like a "gymnastics slash parkour" space, McMahon said.

All together, the project involves 6,375 new limestone blocks on the building's exterior, according to a post on the Andover YMCA Facebook page, and 22,600 square feet of glass — equal to 63 tons.

McMahon said the opening of the entire branch building is "roughly a year out" as supply chain delays have created challenges.

[SubGod22]

Pretty sure I shared the basic news on this a few weeks back, but the following link has renderings of what the project should look like when finished. This appears to be a good addition to downtown.

WBJ - Check out new renderings of downtown Wichita's latest mixed-use project [IMAGES]

Phase 1 construction is closing in on completion, and pre-leasing has begun for 61 of 151 apartment homes that will be available in the 10-story property at 150 N. Main. Residents will be able to start moving in by mid-summer, according to the project's developer, High Plains Development.

The National will have a mix of studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom units.

"The property renovation retains the character of the impressive bank structure, with exposed ceilings and original brick in many units," the company said. "Comprehensive amenities include a lounge-style pool, two outdoor amenity decks, a rooftop observation deck, dog run, yoga studio, fitness center and more."

In the fall — across two of the building's floors — a coworking club and community, a coffee bar and a convenience store are set to open.