City-county agreement will connect Old Town, Arena and WaterWalk areas
Today is a great day for the City of Wichita. The City Council’s vote today has significance beyond the establishment of a special tax district, or TIF, to support the Downtown Arena area. Today’s vote also demonstrates the ability of City and County leaders to work together and resolve differences in the best interest of our community.
Through the hard work of Vice Mayor Schlapp, County Commissioners Winters and Norton and many City and County staffers, the City and County reached an agreement that is critical for the next phase of Downtown Revitalization.
I’m talking about the phase that connects Old Town, the Arena area and Riverfront improvements in an effort to build a seamless and first-class downtown for residents and visitors.
Today’s vote represents the latest in many recent examples of City-County cooperation and collaboration. Our strong partnership has moved our City forward and increasingly helped make the Wichita area a community of choice.
The special taxing district approved today will foster public-private development of the Arena area and beyond. The proven economic development tool known as Tax Increment Financing will help construct and reconstruct streets including Market, Topeka, Emporia, St. Francis, William, English and Lewis Streets.
These improvements will:
- Resolve concerns about increased traffic and parking around the Downtown Arena;
- Help spur economic development activity around the Arena;
- Provide a new signage system to help direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic;
- And contribute to landscaping, streetscape and street-lighting enhancements.
A vision for downtown is unfolding. Approval of this Arena area TIF will attract new office and commercial businesses, encourage more residential development and enhance the public’s ability to experience the arts.
These are exciting times. Our community is coming together to make Downtown Everybody’s Neighborhood - a destination place for residents and visitors of all ages, surrounded by park and open spaces, retailers, residences, restaurants, office buildings and multiple venues for arts and entertainment.
This vision is not possible without the steadfast commitment of our County partners and other community stakeholders.
As we move forward toward a community vision for downtown, let’s remember that City and County governments cannot do this alone. We need the help and support of citizens, businesses, educational institutions, non-profits, private developers, and a host of associations and organizations to make Downtown Everybody’s Neighborhood.
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