Project Downtown: the Master Plan for Wichita
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Project Downtown: The Master Plan for Wichita November 2010 PrePared by Goody ClaNCy with ZimermaN/volk • w-Zha • mJb • PeC kittelsoN assoiCates • PlaCematters Project Downtown: the Master Plan for Wichita From the Mayor iii 5 Plan Framework Using This Plan v • Walkable development 5.1 Acknowledgements vii • Green public spaces 5.9 • Transportation plan 1 Executive Summary > Overview 5.13 • The Vision 1.1 > Strategic public parking infrastructure 5.21 • The Plan 1.6 • Business plan 5.31 • Action Steps 1.8 6 Vision Plan 2 A New Era of Opportunity • Market-based development program 6.1 • Overview 2.1 • Illustrative vision plan 6.2 • Market analysis 2.5 • District framework 6.4 • Transportation analysis 2.13 > Arkansas River 6.6 • Urban design analysis 2.17 > Douglas Corridor at Arkansas River/Delano 6.10 > Douglas Corridor at Core/Historic District 6.14 3 Community Engagement: Understanding > Old Town 6.18 opportunities, envisioning possibilities, building a > Old Town West 6.22 shared vision > Arena 6.26 • Taking Downtown’s pulse 3.1 > Old Town South 6.30 • Cultivating great investment’s downtown 3.1 > Commerce Street Arts 6.34 Contents • Conversations with the community 3.2 > Main Street Corridor 6.38 > Downtown Core 6.42 4 The Downtown Vision > Century II-WaterWalk 6.46 • Vision statement 4.1 > Government Center 6.50 • Vision principles 4.1 > Renaissance Square 6.54 i 7 Catalyst Sites Appendices (under separate cover) • Overview 7.1 • Sites A1 Market Analyses C1 West Bank Arkansas River and New Central • Housing Library . .7.5 • Office C2 East Bank Arkansas River at First/Waco • Hotel Streets . .7.9 • Retail C3 Century II and Current Central Library . .7.13 C4 City Plaza and Parking Site at Douglas, Main, A2 Transportation and Century II Drive . .7.19 • Existing Conditions Analysis C5 Former Allis Hotel Site . .7.23 • Benefits from Transportation Improvements C6 Topeka Street Firehouse . .7.27 C7 Former Coleman Factory Site . .7.31 A3 Development & Design Guidelines C8 City Parking Lot at Naftzger Park . .7.35 • General C9 City Parking Lots at Douglas/Mead and > Built realm: Building form Douglas/Mosley . .7.39 > Public realm: Streetscape > Public realm: Pedestrian infrastructure 8 Putting the Plan to Work • Criteria specific to downtown districts • Action strategies 8.1 > Creating unique downtown places 8.2 A4 Implementation Matrix > Expanding transportation choices 8.7 > Enabling development 8.9 • Leadership 8.12 • Implementation matrix 8.14 ii From the Mayor At the close of our 18-month master planning process for downtown Wichita, the term “dynamic opportunities” surfaced as one way to describe the work we can accomplish together. The term struck a chord for me. It summarizes both the process itself, as well as the plan that our community has outlined for its future. We are, after all, a community that turned out by the hundreds to discuss ideas, share concerns and focus on a future that promises economic growth while paying attention to culture, sustainability, design and building a sense of community in our downtown. It was dynamic to say the least. The resulting plan, Project Downtown, captures the excitement of this planning process, grounds it in sound economic principles and carefully outlines the many opportunities that exist for living, working and playing in downtown Wichita. Rather than dwelling on what hasn’t worked in the past, or what will keep us from being successful in the future, our community created a common vision that benefits not just our downtown but the region as a whole. We know that by creating quality of life in the core of our city that we will be more likely to recruit young people and new businesses to the region, while retaining those who already consider this area home. Yes, the process was dynamic and proved that we have many opportunities if we continue to work together on behalf of our community. The diversity of the voices involved in putting together the plan has made it strong; and these voices will need to continue – and grow – as we move from planning to implementation. I would like to thank my colleagues on the Wichita City Council, as well as the Sedgwick County Commission, for their ongoing support of this downtown plan. It has only been through the partnership established between the City, Sedgwick County, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation, local businesses and citizens that we have come this far. We look forward to continuing our work together as we move Project Downtown from the pages of this plan to the streets of our city. Together we will bring these “dynamic opportunities” to life, and we respectfully – and enthusiastically – invite you to join us in the process. Sincerely, Carl Brewer Mayor Office of the Mayor Office of the Mayor CityCity Hall �| First 1st Floor Floor � |455 455 N. N. Main Main � | Wichita, Kansas Kansas 67202 67202-1698-1698 TT 316.268.4331316.268.4331 � | F 316-858-7743316.858-7743 iii iv Using This Plan This document charts a 20-year vision for Downtown • Chapter 5, Plan Framework, outlines policies to guide Wichita . It is intended to assist a wide variety of people Downtown development, transportation, investment in interested in Downtown Wichita –property owners, business public infrastructure, public/private incentives, and related owners, residents, cultural organizations, city and county actions . It targets certain Downtown areas for new private- staff, and other key stakeholders as well as the general public . and public-sector investment . The document contains a wide variety of material addressing • Chapter 6, Vision Plan, provides illustrated scenarios different perspectives, from the motivation for the plan in the of Downtown improvements, including market-based first place, to what can materialize downtown, to how to go development and the public infrastructure improvements about making it happen . Chapter 1, the Executive Summary, needed to support it . This chapter pays specific attention provides an overview considering all these perspectives . Here to the variety of specific districts and neighborhoods that is a guide to what additional parts of the document address make up Downtown as a whole . certain questions in more detail . • Chapter 7, Catalyst sites, describes specific opportunities on certain strategic publicly-owned sites . Why create a plan for Downtown Wichita? • Chapter 2, A New Era of Opportunity, describes the Who shaped the plan and who will produce its compelling opportunities possible through the Downtown results? plan . • Chapter 3, Community Engagement: Building a shared • Market analyses in the appendix provide more detail on vision, addresses who had a voice in shaping the plan . market-based opportunities for Downtown investment . • Chapter 8, Putting the Plan to Work, identifies who • Chapter 3, Community Engagement: Building a Shared should lead and the plan and who should assist in its Vision, describes how the plan is built on the community’s implementation . aspirations . How should the plan be applied to ensure What is the plan? Where does it apply, and successful results? where will we see change? • Chapter 5, Plan Framework, outlines policies to guide Down- • Chapter 4, The Downtown Vision, defines the principles town development , transportation, investment in public that should guide the plan . infrastructure, public/private incentives, and related actions . v • Chapter 7, Catalyst Sites, tells how to take best advantage of these important locations . • Chapter 8, Putting the Plan to Work, provides specific action strategies to advance the goals of the plan . • Development and Design Guidelines in the Appendix describe how design can increase the value of new development for its owners, occupants, and the broader community . When do we start? When will we see results? • Chapter 8, Putting the Plan to Work, sets priorities among the action strategies . • The Implementation Matrix in the Appendix provides more specific milestones for initiating and completing Downtown action strategies . vi Acknowledgements STEEriNg COMMiTTEE • Allen Bell, Director of Urban • Ron Holt, Assistant County PrOjECT FUNDErS— • Carl Brewer, Mayor, City of Development, City of Wichita Manager, Sedgwick County COrPOratiONS AND Wichita • Jerry Gray, Business • Beth King, Principal, King Merj BUSiNESSES • Charlie Claycomb, President, Development Committee Public Relations • Adams Jones Law Firm Old Town Association Chairman, Wichita Downtown • Scott Knebel, Downtown • Athena Jewelry • Jason Dilts, Director of Development Corporation Revitalization Manager, Wichita- • Belford Electric • Catherine Holdeman, Assistant Sedgwick County Metropolitan Community Development, • BOMA City Manager, City of Wichita Area Planning Department ROK ICT! • Builders, Inc . • Ron Holt, Assistant County • Robert Layton, City Manager, • Sharon Feary, Former City • Cargill Council Member, District VI Manager, Sedgwick County City of Wichita • Casado-McKay • Matt Goolsby, Member, City • Dick Honeyman, • Diane Longfellow, of Wichita Board of Park Vice Chair, Wichita Downtown Administrative Assistant for • Cole Consultants Commissioners Development Corporation Community Advancement, • Emprise Bank • Bill Hanna, Retired President • Robert Layton, City Manager, Wichita Metro Chamber of • Fidelity Bank Commerce and Chief Operating Officer, City of Wichita • Gossen Livingston Koch Industries • John Schlegel, Director, Wichita- • Scott Moore, Interim City Manager, City of Wichita • Hite Fanning Honeyman, • Jody Horner, President, Sedgwick County Metropolitan