Wichita city council members have voted unanimously to approve a policy that will call for a public election to determine the future of the Century II Convention Center and the former downtown library building.
The policy calls for an advisory election before the demolition of Century II or the former Central Library.
The Riverfront Legacy Master Plan Coalition released a design in January after a series of community meetings on the future of the east bank of the Arkansas River downtown. The design would call for the demolition of Century II with a new performing arts center and a new convention center. A citizens group called Save Century II gathered petitions with over 17,000 signatures calling for an ordinance that would require a public election before the demolition of any building of historical or architectural significance. The city is challenging the legality of the petition in district court.
Darryl Kelly, who has been involved with the Riverfront Legacy group, said the group fully supports a vote of the people on the future of Century II and the library building, and he said the community’s voice will remain an important part of the Riverfront process. He said a vote should be accompanied by a design and funding plan that makes sense for the future, and the plan needs to take economic realities into account. He said plans for the future of the Riverfront will have huge potential to help in the Wichita region’s economic recovery.
Mayor Brandon Whipple said the policy was developed with input from city council members, and it will allow for the inclusion of a design and financing plan, such as a sales tax.
Council member Brandon Whipple, who was involved in Riverfront discussions, said there was always an intent to have a public vote, and this policy is another step toward that.
By state statute, an advisory election could not be held at the same time as a primary or general election, and the cost of the election would be around $100,000. No date has been scheduled for an election at this time.
