WICHITA, Kan., Feb. 5, 2025 - Downtown Wichita is thrilled to announce the launch of the Downtown Wichita Action Plan (Action Plan), a participatory program to envision and shape the future of Wichita's urban core. The project will officially commence with an open house on March 4, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. at WAVE located at 650 E. 2^nd St. N.

During this initial gathering, community members will have the opportunity to hear from walkability expert and “Walkable City” author Jeff Speck. Following Speck’s presentation about how cities can promote density and become more pedestrian-friendly, attendees can meet the Action Plan project team and share their thoughts and visions for downtown Wichita. To save your spot at the open house, please register here.

The Action Plan builds upon the remarkable success of its predecessor, Project Downtown, which has driven over $1.7 billion in completed investments since 2010, with an additional $760 million in the project pipeline. This Action Plan, developed in partnership with global urban planning firm Sasaki, will provide a 10-year roadmap for the continued transformation of downtown Wichita.

"This initiative represents a pivotal moment for Wichita's future," said Heather Schroeder, Executive Director of Downtown Wichita. "We're excited to engage with our community to create an action plan that not only envisions the future growth of our city’s core but provides a roadmap for implementation over the next 10 years."

The Action Plan will unfold in three key phases:

1. Immerse (January-April 2025): Understanding downtown Wichita's current landscape and collectively imagining its future potential.
2. Ideate & Iterate (April-July 2025): Developing an urban design framework to guide future development.
3. Align & Act (July-August 2025): Identifying implementation strategies and financing tools.
    

Key goals of the project include leveraging past successes, cultivating new development opportunities, elevating design standards and enhancing economic vitality.

Community involvement is crucial to the success of the Action Plan. Wichita residents are encouraged to register for and attend the first open house on March 4, 2025. Additional engagement opportunities will include surveys and pop-up events throughout the city over the next year.

For more information about the Action Plan and to stay updated on upcoming meetings, please visit downtownwichita.org.

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About Downtown Wichita
Downtown Wichita is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that amplifies the energy, capital, and growth of downtown by empowering residents, visitors and businesses to explore the possibilities of the city’s core. Collaborating with stakeholders, the organization stimulates continued investment and interest in downtown and connects resources from the private sector and local government that allow commerce and culture to thrive. For more information visit: https://downtownwichita.org/home.

About Sasaki
Sasaki has been a leader in the design industry for 70 years. The firm is known for its integrated design approach, engaging with clients and communities, drawing on history and context, and using data and emerging technologies to shape the built environment. With offices in Boston, Denver, New York, Shanghai, and Los Angeles, Sasaki’s 300 professionals partner with education, civic, institutional, and commercial clients around the world. Sasaki’s integrated services span architecture, interior design, planning and urban design, space planning, landscape architecture, and civil engineering. For more information visit: https://www.sasaki.com/