WICHITA, Kan. - 7/28/2009 - The Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) announced that INTRUST Bank committed $10,000 to fund the downtown master plan. This brings the private sector total to $86,000.

“INTRUST Bank plays a large role in helping our community and our downtown continue to work toward achieving our vision,” said Mayor Carl Brewer. “It’s commitment to downtown through the INTRUST Bank Arena is just one part of the bank’s leadership in this community.”

In addition to the private sector funding, the WDDC Board of Directors committed $175,000 to a downtown comprehensive strategic plan and the Wichita City Council unanimously voted to put $225,000 to a comprehensive plan.

“The business community keeps responding to this opportunity and we so appreciate their support,” said Larry Weber, WDDC Chairman. “INTRUST Bank has been committed to downtown for years, and their donation to this effort continues that tradition.”

The City of Wichita received 32 proposals in response to its request for qualifications. A selection committee last week narrowed the field to four finalists who will receive a request for proposals. The finalist firms were chosen in part because of their track record in downtown plans that produced high levels of private sector investment. A consultant team is expected to be named in September after public presentations by the finalists the week of September 21.

WDDC’s mission is to drive development in downtown Wichita. According to case studies, downtown revitalization benefits communities through new and retained jobs, increased private investment, increased property tax revenue, increased tourism revenue and improved perceptions. The WDDC has released a new website where the community may obtain the latest information on downtown’s development as well as the new downtown plan. The site is www.downtownwichita.com.

The WDDC is a non-profit organization focused on stimulating interest and investment in Downtown. The organization is governed by its Board of Directors consisting of property and business owners from the Downtown area. The Board represents more than 1,400 businesses in the center city and directs and manages the WDDC’s efforts to revitalize the Downtown area.

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