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d Vol 41 • No. 2
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d January 2020
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Should it stay or should it go?
Century II too iconic to lose, supporters say
By Celeste Bogart Racette Wichitans have always supported and loved Century II. They have memories of special events – concerts, graduation, car shows, ballet productions - they remember from their youth and now attend with their children. Flying home to Wichita, folks immediately recognize the blue dome roof. Save Century II efforts have intensified with the orchestrated effort by backers of the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan and its consultant, Populous, to raze both Century II and the former Public Library. Out of five plans to develop the east riverbank at a cost of up $1.5 billion, only one keeps Century II. Plans in 2009 to modernize Century II with $22 million in capital improvement plans were shelved by City Hall and the building has sat neglected for over 10 years. If we can’t take care of current city buildings, why would we build several bigger ones? Can citizens afford the new buildings with a new water plant coming, and See Iconic , page 6
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Central Plains Area Agency on Aging or call your county Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372
Former skeptics say trust planning process
By Angela Cassette and Wayne Bryan In the musical theatre, we are collaborators. We plan, we problem solve, we are a team. It is the only way we make it to opening night, and this way of working also brings great joy. We have learned not to expect collaboration from the private and public sectors. In fact, a few times in recent years, Music Theatre Wichita staff and board have marched ourselves down to city hall to have a public discussion with elected officials. Those were times we felt like decisions were being made to impact us, yet we had no seat at the table, let alone being part of the team. When Mayor Jeff Longwell appointed a citizen’s committee to explore what solutions could be found for Century II, that impression changed. We were cheered by the caliber of work the committee did. Our statements in support of their findings can be found on our website at mtwichita.org/about/centuryii. In short, despite our great affection for Century II, See Trust , page 6
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800- 279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655