Preliminary Design Scenarios

On November 14 the Design Team made up of Populous and Olin Studios presented three preliminary design concepts with two variable options. These scenarios were built upon community input and include common themes heard during the engagement process.  

The themes include:  

  • Green spaces/parks/common areas

  • New performing arts and convention centers, planned with uninterrupted operations for the performing arts organizations

  • Various combinations of mixed-use buildings, which could include restaurants, retail shops, offices and residential spaces

  • A pedestrian bridge that connects the east bank to the new developments on the west bank

  • Plenty of options for parking

Each scenario comes with an estimated cost, which range from $970 million to $1.5 billion. Possible funding options will be provided with the final design proposal after the first of the year.

View the Concepts

scenario 1A and Scenario 1B

Scenario 1A Plan Characteristics

Plan Characteristics

  • Douglas Corridor hosts mixed-use

  • Moderate connection of street grid

  • Large green space faces Performing Arts Center, Convention Center, and Arkansas River

  • Convention Center is partially submerged (Exhibition Hall and Loading Docks are underground)

  • Convention Center creates a moderate barrier between the northern and southern halves of the site

  • Underground tunnel for Convention Center Loading access

  • Performing arts opens up to the park and provides presence along Main St.

  • New Performing Arts Center location does not affect current Music Theater Wichita operations (no dark days)

  • Parking is provided through a mix of above ground and below ground parking structures

Impacts to Existing

  • Century II is removed

  • Former library is removed

  • Hyatt garage is relocated

  • Former Gander Mountain building remains

  • Boathouse remains

  • Kellogg parking garage remains

Scenario 1B Plan Characteristics

Plan Characteristics

  • Douglas corridor hosts mixed-use

  • Strong connection of street grid

  • Large green space faces Performing Arts Center, Convention Center, and Arkansas River

  • Convention Center is above ground (loading faces Waterman St.)

  • Convention Center creates a mild barrier between the norther and southern halves of the site

  • Performing Arts Center opens up to the park and provides presence along Main St.

  • New Performing Arts Center location does not affect current Music Theater Wichita operations (no dark days)

  • Parking is provided through a mix of above ground and below ground parking structures

Impacts to Existing

  • Century II is removed

  • Former library is removed

  • Hyatt garage is relocated

  • Former Gander Mountain building remains

  • Boathouse is removed

  • Kellogg parking garage is redeveloped

Scenario 2

Scenario 2 plan Characteristics

Plan Characteristics

  • Douglas Corridor hosts mixed-use and green space

  • Strong connection of street grid

  • Large continuous green space connects north/south

  • Convention Center is partially submerged (Exhibition Hall and Loading Docks are underground)

  • Underground tunnel for Convention Center loading access

  • Performing Arts Center runs parallel to the park and provides presence along Main St.

  • New Performing Arts Center location does not affect current Music Theater Wichita operations (no dark days)

  • Parking is provided through a mix of above ground and below ground parking structures

Impacts to Existing

  • Century II is removed

  • Former library remains

  • Hyatt garage is relocated

  • Former Gander Mountain building remains

  • Boathouse remains

  • Kellogg parking garage remains

Scenario 3A and Scenario 3B

Scenario 3A Plan Characteristics

Plan Characteristics

  • Douglas Corridor hosts mixed-use and green space

  • Moderate connection of street grid

  • Green space created around Century II

  • Additional green space faces Performing Arts Center and Convention Center

  • Convention Center is above ground (loading faces English St.)

  • Convention Center creates a mild barrier between the northern and southern halves of the site

  • Performing Arts Center runs parallel to the park and has great views of the river

  • New Performing Arts Center location does not affect current Music Theater Wichita operations (no dark days)

  • Parking is provided through a mix of above ground and below ground parking structures

Impacts to Existing

  • Century II is repurposed

  • Former library is repurposed

  • Hyatt garage is relocated

  • Former Gander Mountain building remains

  • Boathouse remains

  • Kellogg parking garage remains

Scenario 3B Plan Characteristics

Plan Characteristics

  • Douglas Corridor hosts mixed-use and green space

  • Moderate connection of street grid

  • Large green space created through re-use of Century II structure

  • Additional green space faces Performing Arts Center and Convention Center

  • Convention Center is above ground (loading faces English St.)

  • Convention Center creates a mild barrier between the norther and southern halves of the site

  • Performing Arts Center runs parallel to the park and has great views of the river

  • New Performing Arts Center location does not affect current Music Theater Wichita operations (no dark days)

  • Parking is provided through a mix of above ground and below ground parking structures

Impacts to Existing

  • Century II is repurposed

  • Former library remains

  • Hyatt garage is relocated

  • Former Gander Mountain building remains

  • Boathouse remains

  • Kellogg parking garage remains

Thank you for your engagement

Thank you for your engagement throughout the Riverfront Legacy Master Planning process. Based on extensive community input and research and data from previous studies, the Design Team presented their final recommendations for the master plan site on January 14.