City of Wichita
District I
Newsletter
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From the desk of Council Member Johnson,
- This was a great week for our district and City. Wesley Medical Center announced at 17 million dollar investment in Phase 2 of expanding their Children's Hospital. This will be great for young people who had to be transported two or three hours to receive the new services that will be offered at the Children's Hospital.
- Tuesday, the City Council voted to approve the designer for the Aquatics Master Plan. We will soon vote on the location of the pool in NE Wichita.
- Congratulations to all of our graduates for 2018! I know that our future is in good hands!
- There is still time for you or your neighborhood association to apply for the District 1.
If you or a neighbor has a sidewalk that needs repaired, a tree that needs trimmed or removed, deed issues with the home or a special neighborhood project please consider applying for the N
eighborhood Grant for District 1.
You may qualify for up to $1,500 in assistance. Applications can be picked up and returned to Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center, 2755 E. 19th St.
-Make sure you get your friends and family signed up to receive this informational newsletter.
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Updates from District I &
Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center
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Neighborhood Updates...
1.
If you or a neighbor has a sidewalk that needs repaired or a tree that needs removed please consider applying for the N
eighborhood Grant for District 1. You may qualify for up to $1,500 in assistance.
2. Please continue to report potholes, street lights out, and other concerns in your area by calling 316-303-8016.
3. It is time to apply for your neighborhood clean up. Please contact your neighborhood association to volunteer or call 303-8018.
4. The Lord's Diner Food Truck serving 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the parking lot of Atwater Neighborhood Resource Center. Anyone is welcome to a meal. Volunteers are appreciated; please call Sheryl at 316-266-4966.
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City Announcements & Activities
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S
tay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines
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Start Neighborhood Night Out Planning Now
The City of Wichita will celebrate
Neighborhood Night Out
from
5:30 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14
, and Mayor Longwell is encouraging residents to start their planning now.
Neighborhood Night Out, formerly celebrated as National Night Out and Celebrate Safe Communities, is in its second year. It's an annual event that promotes neighborhood safety and combats crime by encouraging neighbors to get to know one other through neighborhood parties, picnics, cookouts and other social gatherings over one designated evening.
"Neighborhood Night Out is a great way to get to know your neighbors, so you can look out for one another and keep your area safe," Mayor Jeff Longwell said.
To encourage participation, the City will waive park fees for groups who want to hold their gathering in a neighborhood park. While supplies last, the City will also provide barricades at no charge to groups that want to block off a portion of the street for their event. The registration form for parties is available online, as well as information on how to plan a block party that includes the form for street closures.
It's up to neighborhoods to decide how to celebrate. The options are limitless; they can hold a block party, picnic, ice cream social, cookout, etc.
Police Officers, Firefighters, elected officials and other City staff will attend as many of the neighborhood parties as possible. For more information, please contact the Wichita Police Department at (316) 268-4165.
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W.F.D Annual Fire Hydrant Inspections
The Wichita Fire Department begins their annual fire hydrant inspection in the month of March and it must be completed by November. The City of Wichita has approximately 13,000 active fire hydrants.
During this time period you may see W.F.D. crews at fire hydrants performing the inspection. The process for checking a hydrant includes opening the caps, flushing the system, and checking for leaks. The fire crews may also remove debris or ask a homeowner or property representative to trim back a bush or plant that may be blocking access to the hydrant.
The annual inspection ensures all hydrants are in working condition, easily accessible, and verifies the location of the hydrant. When defects are discovered on a hydrant a request is sent to the City of Wichita Public Works department for repairs.
Fire code requires a three foot clearance around all city hydrants, and no parking within fifteen feet of a fire hydrant.
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FREE PAINT AVAILABLE
The City of Wichita is offering free paint for owner-occupant homeowners who meet income guidelines and whose property is located within city limits. Qualified homeowners are eligible for up to $250 in paint. Paint/labor grants in an amount not exceeding $5,000, including paint, will also be offered to income-eligible senior citizens, age 62 and above.
Federal income limits apply. The income limit for a single-person household is $37,200, the two-person household limit is $42,500, the three-person household limit is $47,800, and the four-person household limit is $53,100.
"The program makes such a big difference in the appearance of a home as well as the entire block," John E. Hall, Director of the Housing and Community Services Department, said. "We are asking for help from neighborhood associations to spread the word to members and to consider organizing paint parties."
The program is available on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted or until the program ends on Sept. 30. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development makes funding available through the Community Development Block Grant.
To learn more about the free paint program or eligibility, please contact the Home Improvement Program at (316) 462-3713.
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Four Mile Creek Wastewater Plant Expansion
The $27.5 million upgrade to the Four Mile Creek Wastewater Plant is over halfway complete and is estimated to be completed ahead of schedule and under budget. The aeration basin structure and the screenings building are substantially complete. The concrete work on the clarifier and UV building are underway. Crews are currently retrofitting the solids handling process facilities. Excavation work on the new influent pumping facility started this week.
Depending on the weather, it is estimated that this project will be completed by the end of the year, ahead of the February 2019 schedule. PW&U Sewage Treatment and Engineering staff have been working closely with the Design Engineer, CH2M, and the contractor, UCI, to ensure the project is on track.
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2018 Water Conservation Rebate Program Update
The City of Wichita has offered an annual water conservation rebate program since 2013. This program offers rebates in the form of water bill credits, with the intent of encouraging the installation of water efficient devices and appliances. Since the program first began, rebates totaling $1,030,294 have been approved for over 10,000 water saving units, saving an estimated 243 million gallons annually.
Applications for the 2018 program began being accepted on February 1, 2018. As of April 6, 2018, rebates totaling $20,006 have been approved for the installation of 206 water saving units, saving an estimated 5 million gallons. $100,000 was approved for the 2018 program. Applications will continue to be accepted until the remaining $79,994 is exhausted. It is estimated that once all funds have been exhausted, the 2018 program will result in the conservation of approximately 25 million gallons each year. Applications, lists of eligible items and other program details are available at www.SaveWichitaWater.com.
Conserving water is an important component of the City's long-term water supply plan, which has a water conservation goal of 0.35% per year, or 80 million gallons. This rebate program, along with a contract with Spirit Aerosystems to use 381 million gallons of non-potable water annually, has allowed the City to meet its water conservation goals through 2020. Through the analysis of current operations and available technology, the City has also developed internal plans to conserve water while irrigating City grounds, sweeping streets, operating fountains and splash pads and detecting and repairing leaks. In addition to the rebate program information, SaveWichitaWater.com provides a wealth of information about additional ways the City of Wichita is protecting the future of the region's water supply and ways that the public can help. Public Works & Utilities will continue to look for new, innovative approaches to ensuring a sustainable regional water supply.
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Check out what's happening
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Construction Caution for District I
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DISTRICT I-CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS...
Eastborough North Water Main Replacement:
This project will replace water mains in neighborhoods generally
located between Douglas, Edgemoor, 2nd Street and Armour.
Traffic Impact: Woodlawn is one lane in each direction at 2nd St.
Contractor: Nowak Construction
City Contact: Jeff Terhune (268-4046 / jterhune@wichita.gov)
Estimated completion: Spring 2019
Central & Vassar Intersection: The project will add a left turn lane on westbound Central at Vassar, including signal modifications, median reconstruction and new pedestrian crosswalks.
Traffic Impact: Central is one lane in each direction between Rutan and Clifton during construction.
Contractor: Cornejo & Sons
City Contact: Greg Baalman (268-4048 / gbaalman@wichita.gov)
Estimated completion: Summer 2018
Douglas and Hydraulic Intersection: The project will add left turn lanes and reduce Hydraulic to one lane in each direction. New signals, brick pedestrian crosswalks, sidewalks, and landscaping amenities and enhancements will be provided for pedestrian safety.
Traffic Impact: Intermittent flagging of traffic may occur during work hours.
Contractor: Cornejo & Sons
City Contact: Greg Baalman (268-4048 / gbaalman@wichita.gov)
Estimated completion: Spring 2018
Oliver, 17th to 19th Street North: This project will widen Oliver to a five-lane roadway with two through lanes in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane. The intersection at 17th and Oliver will be reconstructed to include a dedicated right turn lane for sound bound Oliver onto 17th Street and left turn lanes in all directions. New signals,
brick pedestrian crosswalks, 10' sidewalks, landscaping amenities and enhancements will be constructed.
Traffic Impact: Oliver is one lane in each direction from 17th Street to 19th Street North. Left turns are restricted for north bound Oliver at 17th Street. Southbound Oliver is CLOSED at 17th.
Contractor: Kansas Paving
City Contact: Kyle Kerns (268-4044 / kkerns@wichita.gov)
Estimated completion: Fall 2018
9th Street, I-135 to Hillside: This project will reconstruct 9th Street to a three-lane roadway with one lane in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane. The intersection at Grove will be reconstructed to include left turn lanes in all directions, new traffic signals, and brick crosswalks. The project will construct sidewalk, including a 10-foot wide multi-use path on the south side of 9th Street. The project also includes drainage improvements, water main replacement, and aesthetic improvements.
Traffic Impact: Eastbound 9th Street is reduced to one lane between I-135 and Hillside.
Contractor: Cornejo & Sons
City Contact: Greg Baalman (268-4048 / gbaalman@wichita.gov)
Estimated completion: Fall 2018
45th St. N. and Hillside Intersection: The project will widen the intersection to provide left and right turn lanes for all directions, and include installation of a new traffic signal.
Traffic Impact: The intersection of 45th & Hillside is CLOSED for the duration of the project. The eastbound K-254 off-ramp to 45th Street/Hillside is CLOSED.
Contractor: Pearson Construction
City Contact: Greg Baalman (268-4048 / gbaalman@wichita.gov)
Estimated completion: Fall 2018
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Click here to find up-to-date information regarding street maintenance in your area.
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Community Activities & Services
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Owning a Habitat for Humanity home
will change your life!
Our homes are affordable, safe, attractive and will provide your family with a better future. Learn more at one of our meetings: Saturday, May 19. At 10 a.m. or Thursday, May 24, at 5:30 p.m. We also will have a meeting in Spanish on Saturday, May 19, at 10 a.m.
Meetings are at our office at 130 E. Murdock St., between Main and Market streets.
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KANSAS HOUSING WEATHERIZATION
Low-income families pay an average of 18% of their annual income for energy, compared with 5% for other households. Weatherization services save customers an average of $358 annually. For every $1 invested in the program, weatherization returns $2.51 to the household and society. For the Wichita area, the State is having residents contact South Central Kansas Economic Development District (SCKEDD) at 316-262-7035.
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Focus Groups launch as first step in Project Wichita
Project Wichita is a community engagement process to discover the community's vision for the Wichita region in the next 10 years.
Any group, anywhere, at anytime can share their thoughts about the future of Wichita and the region by discussing six questions and sharing their answers. Have a book club, bowling team, or neighborhood group? Have a group of friends or coworkers who care about where Wichita and the region should go? Project Wichita wants to hear from you!
Project Wichita features multiple ways to get involved with focus groups as the first official listening tactic in the community engagement process.
If you are interested in having a facilitator come to your group or organization or if you would like to host a focus group of your own, go to www.projectwichita.org. Find out more today. Focus groups run through May 31.
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COOKING MATTERS:
A Free Cooking Class & Groceries
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Do you like walking in your neighborhood?
If so, your neighborhood is "walkable" - that is, friendly to all walkers, including seniors, children, and folks with wheelchairs and strollers. If your area is not walker-friendly, identify its obstacles!
To score your streets or other areas, find the mobile-friendly survey link and paper form at
here
. If you take the survey using your cell phone, you will automatically update a map that City and County planners, transit, and others can use to prioritize improvements. In less than five minutes, you can input data!
Bike Walk Wichita will give a $100 check to the first 25 organizations that score 20 or more blocks by mid-June 2018! Further details are online.
Smooth sidewalks and bright crosswalks help you reach bus stops, churches, schools, parks, shops, and your other local destinations.
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Let's be friends! When bicyclists and walkers share the same path, whether the wide Redbud Trail or narrow neighborhood sidewalks, the etiquette may be similar to big ships and small boats sharing the same waterway:
- Share the space.
- The smallest has the right of way.
- When in doubt, be alert, kind and generous. Give way, whydon'tcha.
Some cautions include a pedestrian whose dog is on a long leash that could trip a speedy bicyclist; a bicyclist who doesn't call out a "on your left" to unwary walkers in front of him/her; or children who dash into bicyclists' paths.
Let's be friends, polite and SAFE for everyone!
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Helpful Resources & Information
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New City Information Booklet Released
THE CITY OF WICHITA COMMUNITY SERVICES booklet
is designed to provide you with important tips and information on a variety of community issues. By working together, we can help prevent and solve crimes, improve and make neighborhoods safer, resolve conflicts and enhance our quality of life. This booklet is divided into categories to make it simple to find information that is important to you.
The City of Wichita hopes you will find this booklet to be a valuable resource and will share this information with your family, friends and neighbors. If you have additional questions, please use the contact information at the back of the booklet.
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Wichita is working to help people who are homeless. The brochure attached below identifies some of the available resources.
Dial 211 for more information or call the WPD Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) AT 316-854-3013.
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2755 E. 19th St. N.
Wichita, KS 67214
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