Downtown Wichita is the center of commerce and culture in the largest city in Kansas – offering vibrant cultural experiences, walkable amenities and endless activities. Downtown is home to dynamic companies who choose to be in the middle of the action. During my time with Westar Energy over the past 12 years I have witnessed downtown’s evolution firsthand and it has been an awesome experience! Much of that transformation began in 2010 with the adoption of Project Downtown: The Master Plan for Wichita. Since that time, over $694 million in both private and public sector funding has been invested in downtown. It is amazing to look back at all that has been accomplished as we approach the 10-year mark since the master plan was set into motion. As I look down our postcard street, Douglas Avenue, I see progress through projects like Cargill Protein Group’s new $70 million headquarters where over 850 employees are now just steps away from Old Town. Right next door, the $54 million restoration of the historic Union Station is nearing completion and the neighboring $23 million Spaghetti Works development is serving as a catalyst for the redesign and rebuilding of Naftzger Park, our premier urban park. Heading west on Douglas Avenue lives one of our community’s most treasured assets, the Arkansas River. A project that I am especially looking forward to seeing come to fruition is the new $75 million ballpark that will reside on the river’s west bank. The ballpark will be home to Wichita’s new Triple-A minor league baseball team in addition to serving as a community gathering place for a variety of events. I'll be there to cheer on our new team as they step up to the plate for the first time in the spring of 2020. Downtown Wichita is pleased to present this State of Downtown Report containing market and economic data as a resource for continued development. As we reflect on recent progress throughout this report, we recognize that we have much more to accomplish. Recent wins can fuel future success when we strive for excellence. We ask you to join in the commitment to downtown’s further development. We have the opportunity to dream big for Wichita. Let’s seize the moment together in Wichita, my hometown. Sincerely, Don Sherman, Chair Downtown Wichita I N T R O 4 Don Sherman, Chair Downtown Wichita