FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jason Gregory
Executive Vice President
316.264.6005  |  jason@downtownwichita.org
downtownwichita.org

DOWNTOWN WICHITA BOARD ENDORSES
CENTURY II CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

Wichita, KS – March 1, 2019 – At its February 28 meeting the Downtown Wichita Board of Directors voted to support the recommendations made by the Century II Citizens Advisory Committee to the Wichita City Council regarding the future of a new performing arts center.

Mayor Jeff Longwell appointed the Century II Citizens Advisory Committee in February 2018 to focus on a performing arts facility solution that would best serve the community going forward. The advisory committee was asked to evaluate the feasibility of renovating the 50-year-old Century II facility to fit the current and future needs of the performing arts organizations or the possibility of building a new performing arts center.

At the February 26 City Council Workshop, the advisory committee recommended that a new performing arts center be built on a portion of the City-owned land between Kellogg and Douglas Avenues and between the Arkansas River and Main Street. The advisory committee provided information about the significance of a performing arts center and proposed that it be distinctive in design and capable of offering excellence for performing arts organizations and patrons. The advisory committee also proposed a series of next steps, including the initiation of a process that would include site planning and assessment plus concept development for a new performing arts facility.

“The Downtown Wichita Board commended the work of the Century II Citizens Advisory Committee in gathering information, input, exploring options, and thoughtful consideration regarding the future of our community and region when it comes to the importance of the performing arts organizations located in Century II and community investment in a performing arts facility,” said Don Sherman, Chair of the Downtown Wichita Board. “We look forward to working with the City of Wichita and other stakeholders within the timeline recommendations of the advisory committee in identifying the next steps toward a comprehensive master planning process of this very critical and valuable riverfront area.”

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About Downtown Wichita
Downtown Wichita is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that amplifies the energy, capital, and growth of Downtown by empowering residents, visitors, and businesses to explore the possibilities of our city’s core. Downtown Wichita is an affiliate of the Greater Wichita Partnership. Learn more at downtownwichita.org.