Downtown Wichita revitalization Archives - Page 2 of 29 Voice For Liberty

Feb

Naftzger Park event management agreement ambiguous

The profit-sharing agreement for Naftzger Park event management contains ambiguity that could lead to disputes. Today the Wichita City Council approved an agreement with Wave Old Town LLC for event management in Naftzger Park in downtown Wichita. The agreement was approved unanimously. While there was controversy over the awarding of the contract (Wichita Eagle reporting is here), others have noticed that the contract is imprecise in a way that could lead to problems. The city and Wave will share profits and losses based on a schedule in the management agreement contained in the agenda packet for today's meeting, Item V-2.…

Jan

By Bob Weeks

Century II resource center

Updated and refreshed: A resource of information about the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center in Wichita. Click here: wichitaliberty.org/century-ii-resource-center-wichita Painting of Century II by Bill Goffrier. For more of his works, visit Goffrier Studio on the web or Bill Goffrier Studio on Facebook.

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Downtown Wichita population is up

New Census Bureau data shows the population growing in downtown Wichita. Data released today by the United States Census Bureau shows the estimated population for zip code 67202 in 2018 was 1,671, an increase of 73 from the prior year. Zip code 67202 is greater downtown Wichita, from the Arkansas River east to Washington, and Kellogg north to Central, roughly. The source of this data is U.S. Census Bureau, 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. This means the data is not the Bureau's estimate of the population in 2018. For areas of population less than 65,000, the Bureau does not…

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Downtown Wichita jobs rise

The number of jobs in downtown Wichita rose sharply in 2017. New data from United States Census Bureau shows the number of workers in downtown Wichita rose sharply in 2017, while the number of business firms fell slightly. Zip code tabulation area 67202. Click for larger.From 2016 to 2017, the number of workers in zip code 67202 rose from 13,618 to 14,588, an increase of 970 jobs, or 7.1 percent. (Zip code 67202 is greater downtown Wichita, from the Arkansas River east to Washington, and Kellogg north to Central, roughly.) The number of business firms fell from 810 to 802.…

Nov

By Bob Weeks

The Wichita baseball team’s name

Is the name of the new Wichita baseball team important? Yes, as it provides insight. Whatever you may think of the name of the new Wichita baseball team, it's important. Important because the city is spending many millions on the stadium, much of it borrowed through bonds that must be repaid if the team doesn't generate as much success (and tax revenue) as planned. Additionally, the city is depending on the team owners to successfully develop the four acres of surrounding land that the city gave to them. (Well, almost gave to them. They paid about four dollars.) Without successful…

Nov

By Bob Weeks

From Pachyderm: Save Century II

From the Wichita Pachyderm Club: Speakers promoting the saving of the Century II Convention and Performing Arts Center in downtown Wichita. Speakers were, in order of first appearance, Greg Kite, Dean Bradley, and Celeste Bogart Racette. This video was recorded on November 1, 2019. View below, or click here to view at YouTube. There is other material on this topic: On Facebook: Save Century II The website Save Century II Video: Save Century II public meeting from October 22, 2019

Nov

By Bob Weeks

From Pachyderm: Save Century II

From the Wichita Pachyderm Club: Speakers promoting the saving of the Century II convention and performing arts center in downtown Wichita. Speakers were, in order of first appearance, Greg Kite, Dean Bradley, and Celeste Bogart Racette. This audio presentation or podcast was recorded on November 1, 2019. There is other material on this topic: On Facebook: Save Century II The website Save Century II Video: Save Century II public meeting from October 22, 2019

In Wichita, more tax increment financing

Oct

By Bob Weeks

In Wichita, more tax increment financing

The Wichita city council will consider expanding an existing TIF, or tax increment financing district. Tomorrow the Wichita City Council will consider expanding the boundaries of an existing tax increment financing district in downtown Wichita. [1. City of Wichita City Council Agenda for October 8, 2019. Agenda Item No. V-1, Public Hearings Considering an Expansion of the Union Station Tax Increment Financing District and Considering a Development Agreement for the Union Station Project Area 3 Plan (District I)] According to city documents for this agenda item, Expanding the District would allow the Developer to capture the additional increment generated by…

What the Block 1 amendment says about downtown Wichita

Oct

By Bob Weeks

What the Block 1 amendment says about downtown Wichita

The amending of a retail lease tells us a lot about the economics of downtown Wichita. This week the Wichita City Council amended a lease for some retail space at 360 East William in downtown Wichita. This is the retail space on the ground floor of the Block 1 parking garage at the northwest corner of Topeka and William. Block One retail space sits half empty. Click for larger.The first lease, passed by the council in 2011, refers to "ground level of the Parking Structure retail space containing approximately 8,400 square feet of surface floor area." [1. Wichita City Council…

Contribute to a campaign, get (nearly) free rent

Oct

By Bob Weeks

Contribute to a campaign, get (nearly) free rent

Citizens may not have noticed that a campaign contributor to Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell received a large benefit from the city this week. This Tuesday the Wichita City Council voted to amend an existing lease. In a nutshell, the city council voted to lease to a tenant 8,600 square feet of retail space for $1.00 per year. Not $1.00 per square foot per year, but $1.00 per year for all 8,600 square feet. That's for the first four years of the lease. Computed as rent per square foot, which is the common way to quote rent for commercial space, the…