East site diamond in the rough

The east site is a great location for the new downtown arena. But the current footprint plan making the rounds shows a couple of buildings removed that should remain standing, if possible: the Eagle Hall Building at 200 S. Emporia and, next door to the south, Ray’s Sales.
The 1916 Eagle Hall Building, especially, has historic interest and architectural charm. Sure, the two-story structure (also known as the “Dancer building”) looks a little rough right now, but with its brick facade and graceful arched windows, it’s a diamond in the rough.
Even better, a development group has announced plans to restore it to its full glory. Why not let it? After all, that was one of the reasons for the arena — to encourage redevelopment of worthy downtown buildings.
Posted by Randy Scholfield

5 Comments

  1. TRACY
    Posted November 11, 2005 at 6:25 am | Permalink

    What we call ‘Progress’ is the exchange of one nuisance for another nuisance.

  2. NoJoCo
    Posted November 11, 2005 at 10:57 am | Permalink

    Randy, All of the potential location for have historical landmarks that would need to come down if the arena was to be built there.

  3. Jed
    Posted November 11, 2005 at 11:18 am | Permalink

    So then it should be built where there are no historic buildings- Nebraska comes to mind.

  4. JWInk
    Posted November 12, 2005 at 11:46 am | Permalink

    That southeast quadrant of downtown Wichita is a “diamond in the rough” for a lot of potential public and private activities — but a white-elephant arena monstrosity isn’t one of them. In fact, an arena will destroy the area’s utility for anything else. The uneven usuage and unpredictable parking requirements alone will drive off many other present and future uses.

    Without the arena, the area could provide a home for a world-class bowling center with all the bells and whistles that would attract bowlers from all over the world. Remember Wichita was known for all night bowling during World War II. This would attract thousands of tourists to Wichita from all over the world.

    The area could provide a home for a world class technical training center to furnish trained staff for Wichita’s manufacturing industries.

    The River Walk development should spread eastward through this district and downtown.

    But the arena will destroy the potential of the area.

  5. NoJoCo
    Posted November 12, 2005 at 2:58 pm | Permalink

    I couldn’t decide what part of your post was the funniest, JWink.

    You did mean for it to be humorous, didn’t you?