A bill designed to protect two buildings in downtown Wichita has a legislative hearing this week. Last year a citizen group gathered signatures on a petition that would prevent the City of Wichita from disposing of two downtown buildings without an approving vote of a majority of citizens. Based on having the required number of valid signatures, the petition was certified as valid. But the city sued to have the petition thrown out, contending the petition went beyond what Kansas law allows as the subject of municipal petitions. A judge agreed with the city. Now the group has a bill…
A group opposing any future plan to raze Century II or the former central library building has filed an appeal of the decision in their lawsuit. A group called Committee to Save Century II organized and filed a petition aimed at requiring a popular vote before demolishing Century II or the former central library building. The City of Wichita challenged the legal basis of the petition and a judge ruled in favor of the city. Now, that decision is being appealed. Following, a press release announcing the appeal. For more information on Century II and its future, see my Century…
On Century II, Wichita City Hall won the first round, but the public issue remains, writes John Todd. A special to the Wichita Eagle by John Todd. The Wichita City Council’s lawsuit against the Save Century II committee and the 17,265 Wichitans who had signed our petition won a first-round legal victory in state district court Aug. 28. The effort to have a binding vote by Wichita voters at an upcoming election was rejected by the court. This is a setback for Wichitans seeking to resolve this issue at the ballot box in November. This courtroom defeat demonstrates that the…
The Wichita city council will consider spending $250,000 on maintenance for Century II. There are questions regarding the source of funding. This week the Wichita City Council will consider spending $250,000 on maintenance items for Century II and the attached expo hall. The items are mostly ventilation, air conditioning, and plumbing. [1. The bonding resolution, number 20-192, states: "Facility repairs and improvements to Century II (District I). Including, but not be limited to, prioritized critical building system improvements, renovation and repairs as well as replacement of Expo Hall HVAC Roof-Top Unit systems and Century II circulation pumps throughout the facility…
Updated and refreshed: A resource of information about the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center in Wichita. Click here: wichitaliberty.org/century-ii-resource-center-wichita Painting of Century II by Bill Goffrier. For more of his works, visit Goffrier Studio on the web or Bill Goffrier Studio on Facebook.
The Wichita Eagle editorial board notices problems with a survey gathering feedback on Century II. What will we learn from a survey gathering public opinion on the future of Century II in downtown Wichita? Not much, according to a Wichita Eagle editorial. [1. Wichita Eagle Editorial Board. Will Century II survey tell city leaders what Wichitans really think? No. February 15, 2019. Available at https://www.kansas.com/opinion/editorials/article226286910.html.] The editorial presents evidence from an expert indicating the survey will produce results that "will be neither scientifically valid nor representative of the city as a whole." The problems lie with the nature of the…
Wichita decides to have someone else conduct public engagement. At the November 7, 2017 meeting of the Wichita City Council, the council will be asked to approve a request for proposal (RFP) document relating to Century II. The RFP is a document that spells out what the city wants done relating to public engagement regarding the future of Century II. Specifically, interested parties are invited to "design and implement a transparent public engagement process that involves a broad cross-section of Wichita residents in a discussion of interests related to the future of Century II as a performing arts center." A…
A letter writer tells Wichitans that "We have an opportunity to show the country the future of Wichita is youthful and bright, and its growing from the core out." In support of replacing Century II with something "no less than absolutely spectacular in ambition," a letter in the Wichita Eagle states, "We have an opportunity to show the country the future of Wichita is youthful and bright, and its growing from the core out." [1. Think big on Century II. Wichita Eagle. Letters, September 14, 2017. Available at http://www.kansas.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article174129391.html.] Sadly, these observations are not true. Data from the U.S. Census…
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks continue discussing Century II, Wichita's convention and performing arts center. But first, some unfortunate economic news for Wichita. View below, or click here to view at YouTube. Episode 166, broadcast September 24, 2017. Shownotes Article: Wichita economy shrinks Book: Convention Center Follies: Politics, Power, and Public Investment in American Cities Video of Heywood Sanders, author of Convention Center Follies, speaking in Kansas City. The introduction is lengthy but worthwhile. Prof. Sanders starts speaking at the 19 minute mark. Facebook group Century II, Its Future The presentation from last week's city…
The report produced for the City of Wichita on Century II has a disclaimer that absolves pretty much everyone from any accountability. The document is titled "Funding and Delivery Options Analysis for the Century II Facility Expansion: Delivery and Funding Strategy." It was produced by Arup Advisory Inc. at a cost to the city of $294,000. The entire document is available at https://goo.gl/hq9iqR. Following is the disclaimer at the front of the report. It is typical of what is found in reports produced by economic development consultants. It establishes several large loopholes for Arup, the City of Wichita, and boosters…
In this episode of WichitaLiberty.TV: Community influencer John Todd joins Karl Peterjohn and Bob Weeks to discuss Century II, Wichita's convention and performing arts center. View below, or click here to view at YouTube. Episode 165, broadcast September 17, 2017. Shownotes Facebook group Century II, Its Future The presentation from Tuesday's city council workshop The Arup Advisory, Inc. report on Century II The City of Wichita's page about Century II, holding many documents Article: Wichita about to commit to more spending. Bigly. This week the Wichita City Council considers hiring a consulting firm to develop plans for a new performing…
