Which Way, Wichita?

At Broadway and William the new downtown plan includes renovating the Douglass Bldg. into housing, a new park and lofts on the former site of the Allis Hotel and a new parking structure.

Some people remember when downtown Wichita, Kansas was a hustling,' bustlin' place, and we're not talkin' 'bout when the Chisholm Trail made it a destination for cattle drives.

Well, after months of planning and a half-million dollars in consulting fees (consulting team led by Goody Clancy), the Wichita downtown redevelopment plan was unveiled Sept. 28.

St. Francis and 2nd Street now (above), and the new vision: a neighborhood park, parking structure, housing and retail and office space (below).

The city, located in south central Kansas (pop. 366,046), has ambitious plans over the next 20 years to revitalize and expand the downtown. In broad terms the city seeks to:

• Reinforce the downtown as the hub for arts, culture, sports and education.
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• Bring street fronts and neighborhoods to life.
• Locate parking to improve access and stimulate reinvestment.
• Foster walkable connections and improve transit and biking choices.