Wichita mayor Brandon Whipple says a proposal is being developed for the city council that would call for a vote of the people on the future of the Century II Convention Center.

Speaking Thursday at his weekly city hall news conference, the mayor said language is being drafted for a proposal that would meet the intent of the 17,000 people who signed petitions that were recently circulated by a citizens group.

The petitions submitted by the group Save Century II call for an ordinance that would require a public vote before the city council could demolish any building of historic importance.    The city is challenging the legality of the petitions in district court, and the citizens group is asking the court to dismiss the challenge.

The citizens group circulated the petitions after a group working on a Riverfront Legacy Master Plan presented a redevelopment proposal that would call for the demolition of Century II and the building of a new performing arts center and convention facility.

Mayor Whipple said a proposal is being created to respect the will of the people and make sure that the future of Century II is put to a citywide vote.  The city council plans to talk about the proposal at their August 18th meeting.