Plan approved for riverbank improvements in north Wichita

Plan approved for riverbank improvements in north Wichita

Plan approved for riverbank improvements in north Wichita

The city of Wichita is working with a private developer on a project that will include new homes and public improvements in the Riverside neighborhood.

A development group purchased property north of Sim Park in 2019 with plans for infill housing development, and the property was cleared to deal with neighborhood and safety issues such as blight and general unsafe conditions.    There were plans for tower-style apartments but after a series of neighborhood meetings, the developer changed the project to provide for 40 patio homes that are more in character with the neighborhood.   City council member Cindy Claycomb said the meetings resulted in a much better development.

The city is planning public improvements along the Arkansas River that will include a bike-pedestrian path, a trailhead park, lighting and public parking.  The city is creating a Tax Increment Financing district that will use revenues from property tax increases to fund $1.7 million for the riverbank improvements.

A plan for the public improvements was presented to the city council, but Mark Elder with the city’s Office of Economic Development said that will not be the final plan.  He said the Park and Recreation Department will have public outreach to get ideas from neighborhood residents on what they would like to see with the park and the pathway.

The Wichita City Council has approved a project plan to allow work to move forward.

 

 

 

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