Wichita’s Downtown is Getting Even Better: Vision for the Next Decade
A Vision for the
Next Decade
One of the best things about calling Wichita home is that something new is always taking shape.
New restaurants and shops. New places to live. New ideas for how people move around the city and spend time together.
This progress is especially visible in the heart of the city, where more than $2 billion has been invested downtown since 2010. Now, Wichita is looking ahead with a bold vision for what downtown can become over the next decade.
The Downtown Wichita Action Plan (Action Plan) provides a 10-year roadmap for creating a downtown that is more connected, vibrant, welcoming and distinctly Wichita.
A Downtown Designed for People
Developed with input from more than 1,000 Wichitans, the Action Plan looks ahead to 2035 and builds on Project Downtown's success. The vision is centered around four goals:
- Connected Downtown – Make it easier and more enjoyable to move throughout downtown by walking, biking, driving or using transit.
- Riverfront Downtown – Better connect downtown to the Arkansas River with parks, trails, recreation, restaurants, bars and year-round activity.
- Well-Designed Downtown – Create inviting streets, buildings and public spaces that reflect Wichita's character while improving safety and accessibility.
- Full-Service Downtown – Expand opportunities for housing, employment, shopping, dining and entertainment to create a thriving mixed-use urban center.
Wichita is Making It Happen
The Action Plan isn't a wish list for some distant future. Several pieces are already underway, including the Downtown Wichita Clean Team, a planned downtown grocery store and a history trail. This not only creates a more welcoming environment, but one where individuals' needs are met daily.
Looking ahead, the plan includes opportunities for more than 5,000 new apartments and townhomes, a downtown circulator connecting to the new transit hub, a redesigned Douglas Avenue with more shade and space for pedestrians and outdoor dining, and new ways to experience the Arkansas River.
The Action Plan isn't about turning Wichita into another city. It’s about leaning into what makes Wichita special.
Our river. Our history. Our architecture. Our arts and culture. Our entrepreneurial spirit. Our growing collection of restaurants, shops, entertainment and public spaces.
It’s about creating a downtown where you can grab coffee, catch a show, meet friends for dinner, bike along the river, explore local art or simply spend an afternoon discovering something new.
It’s about creating more reasons for residents and visitors alike to stick around a little longer.
