General News in the 316

[JVShocker]

Eagle - 'Once in a lifetime': Wichita native Ariana Dirkzwager will swim in Paris Olympics



Pretty cool experience for one of our own!

Swim nerd back to comment. My daughter had the pleasure of competing with and against Ariana and her sister Astrid (also a phenomenal swimmer). She was a phenom even at the 8 to 12 age group (as was her sister). From my experience, they were amazing people and a wonderful family. It couldn't have happened to better people.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Kansas Health Science Center changes name, plans to offer more degree programs

The Kansas Health Science Center is changing its name to the Kansas Health Science University as it prepares to increase the degree programs it offers.

The nonprofit educational institution plans to expand its disciplines, degree programs and opportunities beyond the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, its first program founded in 2019. KansasCOM is the only osteopathic medicine program in the state.

Tiffany Masson, the president of Kansas Health Science University, called the name change a “significant milestone” for the organization and a way to convey its increased program offerings to its stakeholders, partners and the community. The change is effective immediately.

“Underneath the umbrella of a university, it's implied that there's multiple programs, and so it's telling our community that we are now thinking about ourself and broadening ourselves for the growth that we, from very early on, expected of ourselves when we formed our mission around producing forward-thinking, empathetic health-care leaders,” Masson said.

Masson said the name change came about because of KansasCOM’s successful launch and the significant need for health-care professions and biomedical programs.

I'd call this another win for downtown and the coming Bio-Med district.

[RoyalShock]

Tanganyika taking a risk.

WBJ - Tanganyika Wildlife Park shifts to all-inclusive business model



$150 a ticket and he hopes this new direction increases tourism even though it will cut into attendance as a whole. They hope the increase makes up for it. I've already seen a lot of locals talk of their disappointment as previous price increases had limited their ability to visit.

I don't know what the market is for zoo tourism, but they're wanting to become a national destination with this move and the $1M in upgrades/renovations they're planning and services they'll be adding. I suppose if this is intriguing to someone that the thought of coming in to Tanganyika and then still being able to hit up SCZ could be worthwhile.

This seems like a very stupid decision. Maybe if Wichita was already a tourist destination AND the park could come anywhere close to rivaling Disney's Animal Kingdom. I don't see many Wichita area families shelling out that kind of coin for a niche zoo.

Go big or go home, I guess. Don't get me wrong, as I hope it succeeds, but I just don't see it.

What they should do, is partner with the SCZ, such that the $150 price includes a ticket for there, as well.

[SubGod22]

A new Downtown Master Plan is in the works.

KFDI - Funding approved to update mater plan for downtown Wichita

Wichita City Council members voted unanimously to approve funding to update a downtown revitalization master plan.

The original Project Downtown plan was developed in 2010 and it was a 15-year plan. Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson said an update is needed to build on the success that the current plan has created. He said the master plan has resulted in over $1.7 billion being invested in downtown Wichita, and there is a pipeline of projects totaling more than $760 million. Downtown Wichita president Jeff Fluhr said 110 projects have been completed, two are under construction and there are 11 projects in the planning stages.

Fluhr said the update will build on market research and will look at issues such as walkability, housing affordability and design. He said $300,000 in private funding has been raised. The City Council approved $50,000 to go toward the update and Sedgwick County plans to provide another $50,000.

Fluhr said a final scope of work is being developed for the update and a request for bids will go out in August. He said the team should be ready later this year to begin work and the update will have a ten-year focus. He said there will be a process for community engagement and input as the updated plan is developed.

[SubGod22]

And a little more from the Wichita Business Journal

WBJ - Project Downtown update gets final funding piece from Wichita City Council

A $300-million, "game-changer" biomedical campus planned at Broadway and William streets wasn't part of the 2008 Project Downtown report. But Fluhr noted seeds planted by the study, notably public-private partnerships, have led to attainable growth and development in the footprint of the campus collaboration from the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita State University and WSU Tech.

"What we did envision," Fluhr said, "is how do you create an environment that fosters opportunities, economic growth?"

Fluhr said $300,000 for the study has been obtained through private investment. The city's portion will come out of its Economic Development Fund.

The 2008 plan offered then-new ideas for downtown areas: walkability and ground-floor activation, public-private partnerships and mixed-use development.

The Greater Wichita Partnership said $1.7 billion in projects have been completed downtown since the previous study.

[SubGod22]

WSU and WSU Tech seem high on the Boeing/Spirit acquisition

WBJ - 'I see a lot of opportunities:' WSU Tech, WSU talk workforce opportunities in Boeing-Spirit deal

Sheree Utash was building the aerospace industry's talent pipeline in 2005 when plans for Boeing's commercial departure from Wichita emerged.

"They (Boeing) were an exceptional partner," the WSU Tech president recalled from her early days in higher education. "They were really dedicated to making sure that their workforce was educated and trained at all different levels."

Now, as Boeing (NYSE: BA) plans to re-enter Wichita by acquiring Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR), Utash said her institution is ready to provide the global aerospace company exactly what it needs: an exceptionally talented workforce.

"We're going to ensure that whatever their needs are on that production floor, we're meeting those," she said.

Utash added WSU Tech is no stranger to providing a quality workforce in Wichita or even in Washington state, where Boeing does much of its manufacturing.

"We've worked with educational institutions in the state of Washington on several different projects," she said, "We had a big grant several years ago, a National Aviation consortium grant, and we worked with a couple of the community colleges that work with Boeing out in the Seattle area. So, this isn't anything that we're not super familiar with. We're very familiar with it."

Utash said she plans to visit Boeing's Seattle-area facilities to meet with companies, technical colleges and partners who are providing the workforce for Boeing to understand exactly what it needs.

[SubGod22]

I'm excited to see what they end up doing with this and the other two buildings they purchased in the area.

Eagle - Well-known downtown Wichita building added to historic registry on way to renovation

Another downtown building has been added to the Register of Historic Kansas Places, and it’s not a coincidence that it’s one across from where the new Wichita Biomedical Campus is locating.

The five-story McClellan Hotel building at the southwest corner of William and Broadway, better known to some as the former O’Rourke Title Building, was added this summer.

“It’s just a beautiful exterior, and it’s right on the corner — has a lot of style from the past on it,” said developer Marv Schellenberg.

He and apartment specialist Graham Crain purchased that building, the Petroleum building across the parking lot from it and the Kress Energy Center just up the street at the northwest corner of Douglas and Broadway late last year with intentions to redevelop the sparsely occupied buildings.

All three are now empty as Schellenberg and Crain contemplate how to use the buildings, which could be for a variety of things, such as medical office space or apartments.

“We’re looking at all the options that we have,” Schellenberg said.

He and Crain also were looking for historic tax credits to help with renovations at all three buildings. The Petroleum and Kress buildings already are on state and national historic registries.

Though the McClellan building is now on the state registry, it did not qualify for the federal one.

“Some of the interior finishes have been lost to (a) 1980s remodel,” said Lauren Jones of the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office.

The building was built in 1923.

Wamego historic preservation consultant Brenda Spencer, who worked on the project, said one “claim to fame on this hotel is it operated as a hotel until the 1980s.”

There is something about this building that I like. Sounds like they're talking to a group that may be interested in running this or the Petroleum building as a hotel.

There's an obvious need for apartments down around where the Bio-Med campus will be, and there will also be need for more offices as other medical related businesses will want to move into the area to be apart of what's happening.

They have no shortage of options for their three buildings.

[SubGod22]

The largest wrestling promotion in the world is coming back to Wichita.

KWCH - WWE Monday Night Raw stopping in Wichita

WWE’s flagship television show, Monday Night Raw, is coming to Wichita’s Intrust Bank Arena on Dec. 9. The show has aired on cable television since 1993, and Wichita’s show will be one of the last with that distinction.

Raw, which airs live every Monday, is moving to Netflix at the beginning of 2025, marking an end to the traditional broadcast of the show by USA Network for most of the past three decades, with a five-year switch to TNN/Spike TV from 2000-05.

Monday Night Raw last came to Wichita on June 12, 2023. The show features stars such as Sami Zayn, Seth Rollins, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Rhea Ripley, Rey Mysterio, Damian Priest, Gunther, Liv Morgan, Sheamus and Bron Breakker.

I grew up during the Monday night wars between WWF(E) and the WCW and really enjoyed wrestling for a long time. After WCW went away I felt WWE got complacent and stopped watching. I got back into it a few years ago when I stumbled across AEW on TNT and went to their Saturday Night Collision show when it was in Wichita and it was a fun time. I've tried watching WWE here and there and while I'm told by many it's gotten a lot better since AEW started and they've been forced to move on from Vince McMahon but it's been hard for me to really get into it.

However, having the largest professional wrestling company on the planet in town is always going to be a good thing.

[SubGod22]

They're back!

KSN - U.S. Youth Soccer championships kick off in Wichita

The U.S. Soccer National Presidents Cup kicked off on Thursday with opening ceremonies at Park City Arena.

The competition starts on Friday, and 100 teams from across the country will participate. The matches will be held at Stryker Sports Complex.

Visit Wichita said the competition is a great opportunity to showcase the community.

“We love hosting events like this that bring people in from all over the country,” Josh Howell, vice president of sports development for Visit Wichita, said. “We get to showcase all that Wichita has to offer. Our great facilities, our great airport, of course, restaurants and hotels.”

This is the second year the tournament has been held in the Wichita area, which Visit Wichita said means they did it right the first time.

I believe we had the girls U18 and U16 champions from the metro last year. There's a beautiful story over the older girls championship run in the soccer forum if you want to go find it.

Apparently there's only one Kansas team participating this year.

[SubGod22]

This could potentially be a big deal.

Kansas Commerce - Kansas Tourism, Visit Wichita Partnering to Host 2025 TBEX Summit

Kansas Tourism and Visit Wichita are proud to announce Wichita as the host city for the Travel Blogger Exchange (TBEX) Summit on October 1-4, 2025. This esteemed event will bring together leading travel bloggers, influencers, journalists, content creators and tourism industry professionals from around the globe to explore and enjoy the heart of the country.

“Hosting the world’s largest gathering of travel industry professionals presents an incredible opportunity to showcase the diverse landscapes, rich history and warm hospitality that define our great state,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “The collaboration and partnership between Kansas Tourism and Visit Wichita only underscores the growing prominence of Kansas as a premier travel destination.”

The event will kick-off with pre-conference tours designed to showcase Wichita’s diverse attractions, cultural offerings, vibrant arts scene, rich history and outdoor adventures that all promise an unforgettable experience for TBEX attendees. After the summit concludes, Kansas Tourism will host multiple media trips across the state for select attendees that focus on our six diverse travel regions as well as some more niche-tourism itineraries.

“Hosting TBEX Summit is a testament to Kansas’ growing appeal as a travel destination,” Kansas Tourism Director Bridgette Jobe said. “We are excited to partner with Visit Wichita to host this conference and to highlight Kansas as a travel-to destination for visitors worldwide.”

The TBEX Summit is expected to draw hundreds of attendees. Participants will engage in workshops, seminars, networking events and tours, providing valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration.

“Visit Wichita is extremely thrilled to be hosting the 2025 Travel Blogger Exchange Conference, consisting of content creators and travel journalists from all across the country and internationally,” Visit Wichita President and CEO Susie Santo said. “Not only will this conference provide an opportunity to showcase the heart of the country and result in direct economic impact for our area, but it also brings in a great deal of organic and earned media exposure for Wichita and many of its local businesses.”

The 2025 TBEX Summit promises to be a landmark event for Wichita and Kansas, shining a spotlight on their unique offerings and positioning them as top-tier travel destinations.

For more information about TBEX Summit 2025 and updates on the event, visit the TBEX website here. For information about Kansas Tourism’s media relations, visit our website here.

[SubGod22]

KSN - Beat the heat by floating down the Arkansas River on Saturday

Summer is in full force this week, with temperatures hitting triple digits, and the trend is expected to continue this weekend.

On Saturday, you can find some relief from the heat by floating along the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita during The Big Float put on by Wichita Clean Streams.

“Take in sights, like the Keeper of the Plains, from a completely new and exciting vantage point – on the river,” reads Wichita Clean Streams’ website.

All ages are welcome, and life jackets are required. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Those looking to float can either rent a tube and life jacket or bring their own. Air compressors will be on site, so those bringing their floaties do not have to air them up beforehand.

Attendees are instructed to park in the Rooftop Parking Garage, 150 N. McLean, starting at 12:30 p.m., and take a complimentary shuttle to the check-in tent located east of Old Cowtown.

Launching will begin at 1 p.m., with the last launch scheduled for 3 p.m. Shuttles will run until 2 p.m. You can still launch until 3 p.m., but you will need to find other means of transportation after 2 p.m.

The float ends at the WSU River Vista Boathouse Dock, where guests can find music, games, outdoor activities, and more. Festivities will continue here until 5:30 p.m.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Texas-based metal company to break ground on Park City facility

A metal construction company is set to make its way to Park City.

City administrator Sean Fox said Mueller Inc., a Texas-based metal roofing and steel buildings construction company, is set to break ground on a 30,000 square-foot facility north of Park City Arena, next to the Blue Compass RV dealership, on 550 N. Arena Drive.

The Texas company works with clients in agriculture, warehousing, residential and commercial real estate industries, as well as local homeowners. It has 29 locations in Texas and is looking to open 10 more locations in New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas.

Fox said the company's engineers have been in regular contact with the city since February as they look to open the company's first location in the suburb.

"This is the company's first venture in the state of Kansas," Fox said. "They have already secured the property and have submitted plans. We're currently in the process of reviewing them."

The metal construction company specializes in installing various types of metal roof panels — CFS, CWH and Provia metal shingles to name a few — as well as steel buildings for backyards, loafing sheds, carports, greenhouses and residential houses.

A lot going down in Park City over the next couple of years.

[SubGod22]

WBJ - Goddard approves $6.3M in bonds for Paul Kelsey's 67-acre Goddard development

Kelsey said the project, located on the northwest corner of 23rd Street South and 167th West, will have 210 residential lots with 130 single-family and 162 duplex units.

"Half of it will be duplexes or twin homes and then we're putting 130 slab homes," Kelsey said.

The development was annexed into Goddard in November 2022 and rezoned into a two-family residential classification in January 2023.

Kelsey added that the 23rd South Addition is four blocks away from the 167th Addition, his 60-acre development on the west side of 167th Street and south of U.S. 54 that is scheduled to build 155 lots of two-family twin homes, single-family and patio homes. Kelsey said the 167th Addition will break ground this month.

[SubGod22]

KSN - Open houses scheduled for K-254 plan revisions

The Kansas Department of Transportation will host open houses to highlight revisions to the proposed improvements for K-254 that were presented in May.

KDOT says those who attend an open house will see a revised interchange option for the Towanda area, as well as new information about potential Restricted Crossing U-Turns and potential frontage roads along K-254 in Sedgwick and Butler counties.

According to KDOT, Restricted Crossing U-Turns can reduce the number of locations where crashes happen by up to 50% and can reduce right-angle crashes by up to 75%. The department says they have also been shown to limit the severity of crashes.

KDOT staff will be available to answer questions and take feedback from attendees, but no formal presentation will be given.

Open house times and locations:

• Tuesday, July 30, from 6 to 7 p.m.
  • Benton City Hall in Benton, 154 S. Main St.

• Wednesday, July 31, from 6 to 7 p.m.
  • Kansas Highway Patrol Troop F office in Kechi, 1900 E. Tigua St.

• Thursday, Aug. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m.
  • Wilbur Wiens Community Building in Towanda, 315 Main St.

If you are unable to attend the open house, information about the proposal for K-254 will be available online at this website starting July 30.

There's probably only a few posters on this board that really care about this eventual project, but I'm one of them.

I still haven't heard what their eventual plans will be for the Benton area. Shouldn't be anything drastic, but I'd still like to see something.

[ShockerDropOut]

KSN - Open houses scheduled for K-254 plan revisions



There's probably only a few posters on this board that really care about this eventual project, but I'm one of them.

I still haven't heard what their eventual plans will be for the Benton area. Shouldn't be anything drastic, but I'd still like to see something.

I am one of the few that do care. That being said, those are the dates I will be in St Joe, MO for Chiefs training camp. I will check the link when I get back. During my career I responded to 8-10 fatality accidents on old and new K-254. Way too many. I hope they finally get off their a** and do something.