Category: Wichita city government
-
Wichita’s open records policy is contrary to the interests of citizens
The Kansas Open Records Act states: “It is declared to be the public policy of the state that public records shall be open for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided by this act, and this act shall be liberally construed and applied to promote such policy.” But in my recent experience, our city’s legal…
-
Wichita Downtown Development Corporation and City of Wichita refuse to follow Kansas Open Records Act
On October 15 I made a request under the Kansas Open Records Act, asking for agendas and minutes of the board meetings of the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation for 2009. The City of Wichita, and later the WDDC, denied this request. In its denial, the city stated: “The WDDC is a non-profit organization. Such entities…
-
Press availability: WDDC refuses to follow Kansas Open Records Law
Recently Bob Weeks submitted records requests to the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation. While organized as a non-profit corporation, the WDDC, because it receives its funding from property taxes, is subject to the Kansas Open Records Act. But the WDDC and the City of Wichita have refused to recognize the fact that the WDDC is a…
-
If Wichita truly seeks community input in downtown planning …
As Wichita begins to plan for the revitalization of downtown Wichita, city leaders say they want everyone to be involved. All ideas are welcome and appreciated, they say. In a recent city council meeting, Mayor Brewer said “we need every person’s ideas, recommendations, and their opinion. … Being quiet and then complaining about it later…
-
Wichita downtown Q-Line an expensive ride
On the first Friday in June — that’s the outdoor music night in Old Town Wichita — I went downtown. One of the things I did was to ride the Q-Line. That’s the free trolley or shuttle bus that provides service in Old Town and downtown, including Exploration Place. I rode the entire route, and…
-
Wichita universal tax exemption could propel growth
I’m not here to speak as much to the specifics of the current case, but to the city’s policy of granting property tax exemptions and abatements, whether they are implemented through the economic development exemption program or through industrial revenue bonds. At the same time we’re told we must build up our tax base, we…
-
City council members on downtown Wichita revitalization
At the meeting of the Wichita City Council last week, several city council members gave their resons for supporting the planning for the revitalization of downtown Wichita. It’s worthwhile to take a look at two members and their remarks.
-
Wichita city manager to address Pachyderms
This Friday, the Wichita Pachyderm Club presents Wichita city manager Bob Layton as guest speaker.
-
Downtown Wichita revitalization on Kansas Week
The planning for the revitalization of downtown Wichita is the topic of a segment on the KPTS Television public affairs show Kansas Week on October 16, 2009. Tim Brown is the host. Bob Weeks and Randy Brown are the guests.
-
Wichita planning puts freedom, prosperity at risk
Mr. Mayor, members of the council, I’m here today to ask this council to put aside consideration of this proposal. My reasons are not particular to this proposal or planning firm, but rather I am concerned that we believe we have the ability to successfully plan at all.
-
Downtown Wichita parking plan at odds with revitalization goals
Currently, Wichita is struggling to find enough parking spots downtown to meet the demand expected to be created by the new Intrust Bank Arena. It’s been a contentious issue, with many Wichitans skeptical of the city’s ability to supply enough parking at prices that people are willing to pay for. But did you know that…
-
Wichita’s Waterwalk failure breeds skepticism
A recent Wichita Eagle editorial starts with this: “Seven years into a project that was supposed to give Wichita a grand gathering place full of shops, restaurants and night spots as well as offices and condos, some City Council members and citizens remain skeptical at best about WaterWalk’s ability to deliver on its big promises.…