Already a vibrant and family-friendly place to live, work and play, downtown Wichita boasts a tantalizing array of museums, galleries, theaters, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. The downtown area is home to more than 2,000 residents, and city leaders have grand plans for continued growth and innovation in lifestyle and business opportunities with a real 24/7 downtown.

The city of Wichita and the Wichita Downtown Development Corp. hired Boston-based consulting firm Goody Clancy to analyze the downtown market, gather feedback from residents and create a blueprint for future development. Planning began in October 2009 as a collaborative effort with the community. More than 1,500 people had the opportunity to offer comments and ideas on the draft plan through several community meetings and workshops.

The ambitious 20-year plan comprises three primary focus points. The plan will create more transportation choices including improved streetscaping, downtown walkability, expanded transit options and facilities for biking with designated lanes. Douglas Street, in the general vicinity of the old Chisholm Trail, is planned as an interpretive history area that will delight with storytelling and street performances.

Visitors and residents, however, don’t have to wait for the future to enjoy existing arts venues, museums and restaurants. Old Town already beckons residents with lofts, condos and apartments. The historic neighborhood charms with brick, tree-lined streets and a variety of nightlife offerings.

The INTRUST Bank Arena is a venue for concerts, entertainment and sports. It is home to the Wichita Thunder Hockey team. Baseball lovers sate their hunger for America’s favorite game at Dumont Stadium and the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center is a 721,000-square-foot, multifunctional facility in the heart of downtown on the bank of the Arkansas River. Events and trade shows at Century II draw up to a million visitors annually.

Currently brimming with unique downtown places like Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, the Indian Center, Old Cowtown Museum, the Exploration Place science center and the Commerce Street Arts District, the downtown Wichita plan calls for additional urban design improvement. A new public library is proposed and there are plans for expanded parks and recreation facilities.

The third component of the plan involves enabling development by creating incentives for private-sector development.

“The overall key of the downtown master plan is a higher level of private investment in development,” says Scott Knebel of the Metropolitan Planning Department.

The bustling downtown district may have an eye to the future, but there will always be a warm nod to the city’s rich history.

Founded in 1870, the city was part of the Chisholm Trail, a cattle trail from Texas to Wichita railheads. The area is replete with Indian heritage and boasts the Mid-American Indian Center. The Keeper of the Plains statue is a landmark on the riverbank. Wichita, in fact, is itself an Indian word.

“There is so much that’s already appealing,” Knebel says. “We want to connect the dots and build on our strengths.”

Downtown Wichita

Within a 1-mile radius of downtown:

• Population: 24,706
• Number of Housing Units 4,656
• Median Household Income $31,959
• Median Age 33 years

Within a 3-mile radius of downtown:

• Population: 112,119
• Number of Housing Units 50,191
• Median Household Income $34,324
• Median Age 34 years

Wichita 

By the Numbers

125

Miles of bike trails

17

Number of golf courses

107

Parks, encompassing more than 4,000 acres

18

Average commute time in minutes