On March 4, 2025, the Downtown Wichita Organization hosted an Open House at WAVE, located at 650 E. 2nd St. N., marking the commencement of the Downtown Wichita Action Plan.
This initiative seeks to engage the community in envisioning and shaping the future of Wichita’s urban core.
Event Overview
The Open House, held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, attracted over 260 registered participants, reflecting the community’s strong interest in downtown development. Attendees had the opportunity to:
- Learn from Experts: The event featured a talk by Jeff Speck, renowned urban planner and author of “Walkable City,” who discussed strategies for creating a more pedestrian-friendly downtown.
- Engage in Interactive Activities: Family-friendly activity stations allowed participants to share their visions and ideas for the future of downtown Wichita.
- Meet the Project Team: Attendees interacted with the Action Plan project team, providing direct input and feedback.
Phases of the Downtown Wichita Action Plan
The Action Plan is structured into three key phases:
- Immerse (January – April 2025): This initial phase focuses on understanding the current landscape of downtown Wichita and collectively imagining its future potential.
- Ideate & Iterate (April – July 2025): During this phase, the project team will develop an urban design framework to guide future development.
- Align & Act (July – August 2025): The final phase involves identifying implementation strategies and financing tools to bring the community’s vision to life.
Goals of the Action Plan
The Downtown Wichita Action Plan aims to:
- Leverage Past Successes: Building upon the achievements of the 2010 Project Downtown master plan, which spurred over $1.7 billion in completed investments and an additional $760 million in the project pipeline.
- Cultivate Development Opportunities: Identifying and realizing current and future development prospects to enhance downtown’s vibrancy.
- Elevate Design and Construction: Ensuring that downtown development features excellent architectural design and high-quality construction.
- Enhance Economic Vitality: Highlighting the economic benefits of increased public and private sector investment that supports the collective vision.
Community Engagement Opportunities
The success of the Action Plan heavily relies on community involvement. Residents are encouraged to participate through:
- Surveys and Feedback: Sharing thoughts and ideas via online surveys.
- Pop-Up Events: Engaging with project representatives at various events throughout the city over the next year.
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities
Several events are scheduled to further involve the community:
- Bouncing Through Downtown: Art & Basketball (March 15 – April 8, 2025): In celebration of Wichita hosting the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championships First and Second Rounds, this event will feature basketball-themed art installations created by local artists in downtown storefronts.
- Downtown Wichita Clean-Up (April 26, 2025): A community event inviting volunteers to participate in activities like painting, landscaping, graffiti removal, and trash pick-up to beautify downtown Wichita.
- Downtown Wichita Window Wonderland (November 2025 – early January 2026): A festive window-decorating contest where downtown businesses transform their storefronts into holiday displays, fostering community spirit and engagement.
The Downtown Wichita Action Plan represents a pivotal opportunity for residents to actively participate in shaping the future of their city’s core.
Through collaborative efforts, community engagement, and strategic planning, Wichita aims to create a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, and economically thriving downtown that reflects the aspirations and needs of its residents.