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City of Wichita District II Newsletter |
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A Message from Council Member
Pete Meitzner...
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As we wind down 2017, there is so much to look forward to in 2018. Next week, we will celebrate the opening of the new
Mark Arts at the Mary R. Koch Arts Center. This quality-of-life gem will be an anchor and driver for the future of the arts in our city. The 400,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility provides educational opportunities and exhibition space featuring artists with Kansas connections. It also has a beautiful events venue. The new campus is an artistic hub for the entire community. Come explore the nine state-of-the-art studios where creativity ignites and experience the new great hall where memories will be made at the
Community Open House from 10 AM - 3 PM, Saturday, January 6.
 Also in District II, we look forward to the renovation and upgrades to the
Stryker Sports Complex,
at K96 and Greenwich Road, to create a regional, multi-sport youth athletic complex.. The upgrades include artificial turf fields, improved lighting, renovated locker rooms and a regulation indoor facility. This project is estimated to draw between 100,000 to 150,000 visitors per year from within 300 to 350 miles. The estimated annual economic impact from 55,000 or 82,000 visitors is $15-million or $22.4-million, respectively. Construction will begin within the next two months.
District II is not the only area of town seeing significant new development. Downtown is changing and developing at a very fast pace. Three new projects could begin in 2018: the $23 million Spaghetti Works mixed-use development, the $40 million EPC mixed-use development in Delano, and plans for a new minor league baseball stadium. And if you've not driven by the old Wichita Eagle building on E. Douglas, you should. Construction is well under way on the $60 million Cargill Protein headquarters. There is also work being done to Union Station which will house
Fanfeuil, a company that will bring several hundred more jobs to downtown Wichita. Along the river, the new
Advanced Learning Library will be opening its doors very soon and across the street from it, the River Vista development will welcome its first tenants by summer.
It feels like we are now past the tip of the iceberg and full speed ahead. There is so much exciting change and growth occurring and we will continue to share that in the coming year. We are ending a fantastic year for the City of Wichita and 2018 will be even better!
Thank you for the communications and feedback I receive during the year. I feel very strongly
that our City will continue to make you proud to be a citizen of Wichita. I am honored to be your City Council representative.
Blessings to you all and best wishes for a safe and prosperous New Year.
Pete Meitzner
Wichita City Council
District II Council Member
Ph: 316.268.4331
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2018 Citizen Survey
Watch your mailboxes in January for the 2018 Citizen Survey. Households throughout Wichita are randomly selected to receive the survey, and your feedback is very important! The City of Wichita uses data from the Citizen Survey to make decisions about the budget and service delivery, and we are eager to hear how we are doing!
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Farewell Jim!
After nearly 40 years of service with the Wichita Park Department, Great Plains Nature Center (GPNC) Director Jim Mason is retiring at the end of this year (this week).
Jim is a native Wichitan. He graduated from Wichita West High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Kansas in 1975.
He has worked for Wichita Park and Recreation since August 1978, beginning on a mowing crew. In March 1979 he transferred to the Central Riverside Park Zoo as assistant zookeeper, then became Head Zookeeper in 1984. In 1988 he helped design the Kansas Wildlife Exhibit, which replaced the prior zoo facility. Also that year, he made the transition to being a Naturalist with the Wichita Wild program. As a Naturalist for the City, Jim has given over 2,500 presentations on a wide variety of topics to groups of all ages.
Jim took a leading role in habitat management within the park system: cataloguing the plants, animals and history of land use, describing the habitats and working to preserve and improve the more pristine sites within the park system, known as the Wichita Wild Habitat Areas. He initiated the use of prescribed burns in the parks as a prairie management tool in 1993. He wrote the Wichita Wild Habitat Area Management Plan in 2010, which covers nearly 1,200 acres in 15 different parks, about one quarter of the total park acreage. He has consulted on the development of the new Pracht Wetlands and Crystal Prairie Lake developments to help ensure these new parks conserve and celebrate the native flora and fauna as they become available for public use.
During development of the Great Plains Nature Center in the early 1990s, Jim served as liaison to the contractor during the construction phase and helped create the interpretive concepts for the displays in the Koch Habitat Hall. Along with Bob Gress and Connie Elpers,
he was part of the core staff at the GPNC since it's opening, and became Director of the Great Plains Nature Center in December 2014.
In addition to presenting interpretive programs, Jim created and maintained the Internet web site for the GPNC, which went online in September 1998 and has had over 24 million page reads to date. He is co-author of the GPNC Pocket Guide to Kansas Freshwater Mussels and author of the GPNC Pocket Guide to Common Kansas Butterflies. He has edited the pocket guide series for the last three years, which has seen four new titles published on Stream Fishes, Spiders, Land Snails and Amphibians, Turtles & Lizards. He also
authored two local history books, Wichita's Riverside Parks (2010) and Wichita: Postcard History (2012).
Jim served as a member of the Kansas Water Authority from October 1991 to July 1993. He
was recognized as the Distinguished Young Professional by Region 6 of the National Association for Interpretation in 1992. In 2001, he was chosen as Conservation Communicator of the Year by the Kansas Wildlife Federation. In 2008, he received the Bill Ward Award from the Kansas Natural Resource Council. In 2009, he received the Award for Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education from the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education. In 2014, he was chosen as Conservation Educator of the Year by the Kansas Wildlife Federation. In 2017, he was recognized as Outstanding Park Professional by the Kansas Recreation & Parks Association.
Staff will host a reception for him at GPNC at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, with a program and refreshments.
We invite the Wichita community to join us as we honor Jim and say "Thanks!" for all he has done for GPNC and the Wichita community.
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WINTER COFFEE WITH A COP
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13
10am - 2pm
Towne East Square Food Court
This is the 3rd Annual Winter Coffee With a Cop. Come to the mall and have coffee with local police officers and ask them questions you might have. You will be warmly welcomed!
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District II Construction Project Updates
East Kellogg Improvements
Construction continues to progress on the two East Kellogg transportation projects, from Webb Road through K-96. In November, a significant landmark was reached when East Kellogg traffic through the majority of the project moved to the newly opened frontage roads. This milestone allows work to begin on the freeway portion of the project. Soon drivers will see grading between the frontage roads and beginning construction for the Greenwich and Zelta bridges.
Long-term traffic impacts include:
- The temporary ramp from KTA Plaza 50 to the south frontage road on Kellogg west of Webb is open. Stay alert, as eastbound Kellogg traffic merges with KTA traffic just before Webb.
- Southbound right lane of I-35/KTA closed for approximately two miles between K-96 and East Kellogg toll plazas. Speed limit is reduced to 65mph in this area.
- The direct access ramp from eastbound Kellogg to the KTA Kellogg Toll Plaza has been removed. The plaza remains open, however, access to it is from the south frontage road (west of KTA.) Eastbound local traffic can use the south frontage road to reach the Kellogg toll plaza. Eastbound Kellogg traffic is detoured to the K-96 toll plaza. Westbound Kellogg traffic will continue to use the U-Turn at Rock Road to reach the south frontage road and the toll plaza.
- The ramp from eastbound K-96 to westbound Kellogg is closed for the duration of the project.
- Between Zelta and K-96, Kellogg is reduced to one westbound lane and two eastbound lanes, with a left turn lane from westbound Kellogg to southbound Zelta.
- With the goal of improving safety, 127th Street the connection to East Kellogg is closed. A new connection from 127th Street to Zelta is part of the improvements.
- Kellogg speed limit reduced to 40 mph between Cypress and 143rd Streets, and Webb Road speed limit reduced to 30 mph in the construction zone for the remainder of the project.
- All left turns at Webb Road are prohibited, so drivers desiring to travel west will need to use the U-turn 1/2 mile east of Webb
Click here to stay up-to-date on East Kellogg construction or via Twitter at @E54ict.
143rd Street Improvements
On October 2, improvements began on 143rd Street East, between Kellogg and Central.
The project will widen 143rd Street to a five lane roadway with two lanes in each direction and a center two-way left turn lane.
Improvements also include additional turn lanes on 143rd Street south of the Kellogg intersection, new traffic signals, drainage improvements, and sidewalk, including a 10-feet wide multi-use path.
The five lane expansion will accommodate future traffic counts projected with continued development along 143rd Street. The additional turn lanes on 143rd Street at Kellogg will improve the increased traffic flow and complement future Kellogg expansion.
Improvements to 143rd Street were initially scheduled for completion prior to construction of Kellogg and Greenwich, currently in progress. The freeway expansion was expedited to avoid losing construction funds thus resulting in overlap of these two projects.
The $3.6 million project includes joint funding from both the City of Wichita and federal grants administered through the Kansas Department of Transportation. The grants received were awarded for fiscal year 2018 and delays to 143rd Street improvements would result in lost funds.
143rd Street will carry one lane in each direction throughout construction. The estimated completion is summer 2018. Learn more about this project by
clicking here.
2017 Outsourced Preservation Program (OP3)
The City Council has approved the 2017 Outsourced Pavement Preservation Program (OP3). The program includes street maintenance investments totaling $8 million. See a map of targeted locations.
WICHway traffic alerts available by text or email
WICHway, the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) on Wichita's highways, offers a new feature sending subscribers texts and/or emails that share special traffic alerts created by operators at the WICHway Traffic Management Center. The alerts are created when a traffic problem such as a major crash, a highway closure or a similar event causes a significant disruption on a Wichita highway. The alerts are an extension of the WICHway website (www.WICHway.org), an informational resource the public can consult before traveling on Wichita's highways.
The website adjusts to the type of device being used - a computer, a tablet or a smartphone - and can be bookmarked on a smartphone so that it performs similarly to an app. A short video showing how to bookmark any page from the site can be viewed at KDOT's YouTube page.
WICHway shares information that is gathered from 55 roadside cameras and 63 traffic sensors. Messages are displayed on 25 electronic message signs, shared on the website and can now be sent to subscribers so that travelers, commuters, freight operators and others using Wichita's highways can make informed decisions about their route.
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Wichita District II Facebook Page
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 Getting to Know
City Staff:
Gary Farris
City Arborist
Park & Recreation
Mr. Farris moved to Wichita in 2011 to be the Arborist for the City of Wichita. A graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, Gary has worked in the private sector of the tree care industry throughout the Midwest. He has been a Certified Arborist through the International Society of Arboriculture since 1998. Gary recently has become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional as recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association. He won the 2017 Outstanding Park and Natural Resources Professional Award from the Kansas Park and Recreation Association.
Gary's understanding of trees and his experience with managing multiple groups of people who accomplishing multiple tasks makes him the ideal individual for the Arborist role within the City of Wichita. He is responsible for planting 1,800 trees, pruning 15,000 trees, and removing 10,000 dead/dying trees per year. He understands what good customer service looks like and his section receives many complements each year from citizens for courteous service and efficiency of work.
Mr. Farris is committed to continuing to modernize the Forestry Section of the Park and Recreation Department through best management practices. He also continues to strive for efficient and effective service to the citizens of Wichita.
Gary is married to his wife of 20 years, Carrie Farris, and they have 5 children, 4 daughters and a son.
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 Getting to Know Your Firefighters
by Chief Tammy Snow
Firefighters are seen responding red lights and sirens to the scene of an emergency, interacting with students while visiting schools or even at the local grocery store. But, did you know that when firefighters are not actively engaged in the community, they are still part of the community. Firefighters want to be a vital part of the community in which they are assigned and are willing to assist their neighbors.
Local fire stations are involved with many nationwide programs for example, "The Safe Haven" program which allows a person to physically hand over an unharmed newborn baby within the first 72 hours after birth and not face criminal charges. Fire stations are also dedicated as "Safe Place" sites. Any youth in crisis can walk into one of the sites and ask for help. Fire stations are a place where citizens can obtain directions, utilize the air compressor for a low tires, have their blood pressure checked or just need assistance with a minor issue.
A recent fire destroyed the fence at Perry's Car Company. Mr. Moussavi, the owner, was working alone and not able to make the needed repairs and keep the business open at the same time. Members from Fire Stations 2, 19, and 22 utilized materials supplied by the citizen and made the needed repairs the same afternoon of the incident to help secure the family's business.
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In another incident, crew members from firehouse 11 responded to a medical call because a citizen had fallen. After the crew assisted him, they saw he needed help installing a garage door opener, so they quickly went to work and were able to install it for him.
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Recently, a citizen was having indications that he didn't feel quite right and had a past history of strokes. With no means of checking his blood pressure, the individual's daughter advised them to go to the local fire station knowing the firefighters were trained Emergency Medical Technicians and could evaluate him by taking his blood pressure, pulse, rate of respirations, oxygen saturation and blood sugar level. The citizen went to the closest fire station and informed the fire fighters of his symptoms. Two firefighters immediately took his blood pressure and other vitals and provided him with the recommendation of additional medical attention. Per the citizen, "the fire fighters were kind, cordial, and quick to respond, glad to help and were prime examples of what the nature of the service business is all about".
A lone citizen recently walked into another west side fire station asking for assistance with a ring that he was unable to remove. Fire fighters attempted several different techniques before the decision was made to cut the ring to safely remove it from the finger.
Fire Stations are a positive refuge and should be used without hesitation. They want to be the good neighbor you can depend upon.
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TAKE A HIKE! at Pawnee Prairie Park
January 1, 2018
2625 S Tyler Rd, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
S
tart the new year off with exercise, fresh air, and new friends. Take a Hike is a celebration of new beginnings and positive action for 2018. Dress for the weather by layering your clothing, wearing comfortable shoes, and don't forget your water container. Dogs on leashes are welcome!
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CityArts Celebrates
20th Anniversary
Kick off 2018 and CityArts' 20th anniversary with a night of class demos, new gallery exhibitions and birthday cupcakes, made by top prize recipients from the 2017 Cupcake Challenge.
20th Artiversary Launch Party
Friday, Jan. 5, 6 PM - 8 PM
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#ReadICT
2018 Reading Challenge
The
Wichita Public Library joins the
Wichita Eagle and reporter, Suzanne Tobias, with a challenge for adults to read 12 books in 2018. To make it fun and a little bit challenging, Suzanne has created 12 different categories of books to read - and these categories might not be what you'd expect! We'll list the 12 categories
here starting January 1.
You can also look for Suzanne's Wichita Eagle article on this 2018 #ReadICT challenge in the days leading up to the new year.
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Cabin Fever Writing Workshop
Battle the cold outside and fan your creative flame with this 3-week writing workshop available for free from the Wichita Public Library. Application is required.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Central Library
Patio Room
Writers of all genres, ages 16 and up are welcome to apply. To apply, submit one creative piece (up to 20 pages for prose submissions, up to 10 for poetry) with your name and email to
cabinfeverwriting@gmail.com
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Wichita flag fever has never been higher. If you've ever wanted a Wichita flag license plate for your car, truck or motorcycle, Plates for Parks is for you. By purchasing a Wichita Flag license plate for $50 at the time of registration or renewal, the flag will ride with you everywhere you go. The annual royalty fee of each license plate sold will go toward improving the City's park system through the Wichita Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
To make this program happen, we must demonstrate to the Kansas Legislature the demand for Wichita flag license plates by collecting 500 commitments to purchase. Show your support by completing the online form. Our initial goal is 500 names but we want many more, so please share with your family and friends.
SIGN UP TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT TODAY!
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Senior Wednesdays are always fun and there is something different to do; someone new to meet. There are also many senior activity centers in Wichita and the surrounding areas, so be informed.
Be entertained.
Be active.
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At the Center of It All
Downtown is everybody's neighborhood, the nexus of activity and exploration for locals and out-of-towners alike. Explore the sights and sounds of local life around some of Wichita's favorite attractions, historic landmarks and public spaces. Plan a creative daytrip, find a green space to relax in, or unwind with an evening of live entertainment: Downtown's diverse scene has something for everyone.
Within easy distance of world-class entertainment, buzz-worthy dining, craft coffees, cocktails and microbrews, richly colored with street art and offering a full calendar of unique local events, Downtown is where you want to be.
Building on a thriving history of innovation and creativity as old as its signature warehouses and brick alleys, every city block offers a new adventure. Come down for a show, a casual afternoon or a meal with friends, and find yourself swept away by the colorful energy and Midwestern hospitality of our city's core.
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H2O Care Fund
The City of Wichita recognizes that there are many residents who are struggling during these difficult economic times, especially during the holidays.
This voluntary program provides a simple way to directly help others. Even small donations can add up and provide a way for people to maintain their water service. There are three ways to help, and you can find out how by filling out the City of Wichita H2O Care Fund Program Donation Form here.
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Job Fair Workshop
Looking for a new job in the new year? Attend one of the upcoming Job Fair Workshops at the Maya Angelou Public Library.
Get expert help from representatives of the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas in learning how to better search and/or apply for a job.
These workshops are free but registration is required.
(316)688-9580.
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PREPARE YOUR TEENAGER NOW
FOR A SUMMER JOB
If you have a teen between the ages of 15 - 17, he/she can acquire the training and certifications needed for attaining a job in the Y's FREE Job Prep program. They will learn first aid and CPR along with how to fill out a job application, manage their money, dress for success, and become a valuable employee. Upon completion of the course requirements, they may be eligible for a summer job (up to 25 hrs/wk).
Please check out the requirements for enrollment before Monday, January 22, 2018. If you have any questions you can email Tyrone Baker at
tyrone@wichitaymca.org
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You can also check out the application and qualifications by clicking on this document link.
Happy job hunting!
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JOBS are here in Wichita!
The Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce is proud to offer a job board with local, Wichita area, jobs only! A free service for job seekers, it will save you the time of searching through dozens of jobs outside of the area. Create a
free account here and you will be automatically signed up for all Wichita area updates and can customize the search further if you wish.
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Check out the latest job fairs and
training courses. Click here.
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Don't be left in the
dark
If
you notice outages within
your neighborhood, fill out
this
simple form
on
Westar Energy's website
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 Online Reporting for
Animal Control Problems
Wichita Animal Control has launched an online form to report non-emergency animal control problems as part of an ongoing effort to improve services. The form can be accessed
here.
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Winter 2018
Park & Recreation Activities Guide is now available!
Get registered for classes
by
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Sign up now for classes at CityArts by
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Stay up-to-date on City events, announcements and headlines by reading our daily News Releases
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| Comotara Branch Library
Inside Dillons Market, 2244 N. Rock
Rockwell Branch Library 5939 E. 9th Eastview Park Just South of Coleman Middle School Boston Park 6655 E. Zimmerly St. Cottonwood Park Located just East of Boston Park W.B. Harrison Park Located East of S. Webb, just South of E. Bayley St. |
District II Advisory Board and Neighborhood Associations
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The District II Advisory Board meets the second Monday of the month at Fire Station #20 at 2255 S. Greenwich Rd. Wichita, KS 67207. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. For the 2017 meeting schedule,
click here.
The District II Breakfast occurs quarterly. The next breakfast is scheduled for
December 2, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. at The Regent Senior Living Residence at 2050 N. Webb Rd. (In the theater on the second floor).
To see a listing of the meeting schedule for District II's neighborhood associations, click
here.
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Click here to find up-to-date
information regarding street
maintenance in your area.
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City Manager's Office
455 N. Main, 13 Floor
Wichita, KS 67202
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Stay Connected
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