The expanded plans for WaterWalk’s $5 million amphitheater sound great — big enough for 2,500 people and complete with a 110-foot-long pool for programmed water and light shows. It’s not hard to imagine it becoming a central gathering spot in the riverfront development, and the setting for outdoor events that will boost the entire community’s quality of life.
Still, the Wichita City Council should not drop the 8-year-old dream of a first-rate replacement for the West Bank Stage, preferably privately funded. Wichita needs a large outdoor concert venue for the River Festival and otherwise, and a facility on the west bank would complement the nearby museums and improvements related to the Keeper of the Plains.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
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97 Comments
It’s going to be awesome at the WaterWalk. Especially on nice warm summer nights. And I agree with you that it will be a gathering hot spot.
Just look at the people who gather at Bradley Fair now, the WatherWalk is going to top that.
I don’t know so much about the West Bank Stage. The block party format during River Festival seems great to me. I don’t know what else the West Bank Stage can be used for? Unless it was designed for conessions and tickets, it could be a place for bands to go to instead of the Cotilion.
I don’t know! We will see.
A WaterWalk ampitheater with a 110′ foot water pool that seats 2,500 people? Someone remind me again why we need an arena, please. I guess I forgot.
I still would have rather had the ampatheater over at WestBank Stage…
At least there it can be used for River Fest and other events… Do you ever think that a Rock Concert will ever be held there? Yea Right, the WW HOA will see to that…
Remind me again why we are using tax dollars for private development???
Tony – go read Das Kapital.
The Westbank Stage? Let’s tread carefully here…
It was built by volunteers with donated materials. My *very fuzzy* recollection is that the stage is on “permanent loan” to the CoW Parks Department. My memory could be wrong…
The current west bank stage, while a labor of love, is not adequate for a concert involving more than 1 “national” headlining artist with a local opener. It lacks a loading dock, permanent electricity, dressing rooms, catering area, restrooms, parking for trucks and motorcoachs, and storage for road cases and set carts, etc. It will never be anything more than what you see right now.
That said, I have no faith that an “ampitheater” at WaterWalk, built by a contractor with a couple million dollars, will be significantly better. I’ve said this before: architects sell pretty watercolor pictures (or digital renderings) of structures to committees who never “work” in or with that building. An outdoor stage is far more than a platform and roof. If the client doesn’t know enough to direct the architect, or the client resists the architect’s suggestions for a useful structure (our budget is smaller than planed, cut out some things…) this project, too, will be condemned to mediocrity at best.
As for the perpetual Yettabenamed Arena® issue… like it or not, it will be built. Unless a team of lawyers can find loopholes in the legistlation that was passed to collect the tax and spend it ONLY on an area, we’re getting a $200mil building downtown. One that, by all appearances, will be no better suited to staging concerts than the current Coliseum. One that, by virtue of our MSA size and demographic profile, will NOT be a home to a major league sport franchise anytime soon… soon meaning the next 15 years.
My prediction: When the WaterWalk (which presumably will be private property) rejects rental of their ampitheater for a specific type of performance or promoter, there will be lots of grumbling, perhaps a lawsuit, and then another push to replace or substantially renovate the Westbank stage.
And don’t get me started on what’s goin on at Century II right now… but opera lovers and the CVB will prevail over MTW… you read it here first, kids!
LTB (Lions, Tigers, & Bears)
Now if we could just import some water into the river site.
It looks pretty bad to have a river run through Wichita that needs mowing about half the time!
LTB, I feel your predictions re: the Waterwalk Ampitheater and CII are, unfortunately, spot on.
LTB – as a patron of MTW I’d like to see more details of your prediction there. I have commented before that I fear the subsidies for the Albino Pachyderm will suck the life out of other venues such as C II.
I have a project, small stadium for high school events downtown. Chairback seats for all.
8 lane track. Supports the downtown high schools to use. East, West and North.
Should be large enough for concerts. West side of the river, can’t say exactly where yet.
That gets built, why would there be a need for rebuilt West Bank stage?
Community pov and usefulness will decide seating size of that small stadium.
The walk up West bank stage event, sound is terrible for concerts because its not a focused venue. People back of a crowd can’t hear a things but noise.
The music artist brings the equipment and some of it sucks.
If someone wants to build it, they will. I don’t care about the West Bank stage.
Amphitheater in Waterwalk, I’ll see it, but don’t know if I’m sitting there to experience it.
Mirage…
What bout your precious WSU??? Its got a huge stadium with track and lots and lots of seats… There is a football game every few weekends during the high school season… Plus it has track and field meets and other events… Whats the point for building another field???
I do care for a West Bank Stage… The Verizon Amphitheater is just such a unique place… I enjoy outdoor facilities and i think a amphitheater will be one of the best things to improve our cities culture. Not just for Rock Concerts, but what about the Symphony or the Theater or hell, even church???
Everything outdoor, along the river (yea yea, i know, along the dirty river, this would presume that people would listen to Ben and do what is needed to clean it up) but i think it would be the better thing for the city rather than some fountains for a select few…
Hell, lets put some fountains at Explotation place or out in the river…
I’ve put a request in for the conceptual drawings from the city for the West Bank stage as well as the ones for the Water Walk. I want to side by side them…
Shaekespeare in the Park. The original Globe was informal and, I think, outside.
Tony,
What you assume maybe not be needed, doesn’t match up with people and officials who would appreciate it.
I ask before promoting ideas. Is it reasonable for the situation. I get answers, that yes, a new stadium for high school sports and events in a centralized location would be very appreciated.
High Schools have to pay WSU to play in Cessna stadium. They won’t have to pay in mine.
Cessna’s seating areas are too much for high school events, not as warm and friendly like other facilities. Its okay to play high school games there, it just costs the school board money for every game. That adds up over the years.
I wonder how your doubters exist slamming other projects but see wisdom and value in ones you want to see happen.
Taxpayer dollars in a new hotel/convention center. More of that to recreate a better West Bank stage.
If both we’re really important wouldn’t someone have put an effort to make that happen, already.
Is there any rendering on what they were planning to do with the West Bank Stage?
Mrage! I thought that the Hartman Arena was going to be the spot for high school sporting events.
Not that I know of Joe – probably why Tony is asking for them. We have a right to see them.
mrage – nobody is stopping you from building those things.
Joe,
Don’t know Wink’s schedule on that. There is growth on edges of Wichita, take the west side. From Maize Road, to Colwich Road, housing still to be created. In between 13th and Kellogg. All those homes and kids can’t be bused to the every growing Goddard School district.
A new city league grade school, maybe high school must created in the future on the west side.
Future places for high school sports and events, stadiums, arenas must be created all over the city.
Fixing the ones that exist now are important too. City league schools have poor sports facilities.
County schools will play on the downtown field.
The Waterwalk website is being resigned right now. Probably to reflect the changes. Their prior one was a bit outdated.
With Hartman’s arena complex and the complex out on North Greenwich and I believe they do have something proposed out on the west side, not including the new YMCA’s and their expansion that has happened in the last 5 years, new tennis courts and the whole bit.
I believe we are kind of staying with the flow. It could be better, but everything could be.
:)
The West Bank Stage sits on a good chunk of land. Probably quite valuable.
If the city has already approved the plan for an upgraded West Bank Stage, but no funds, how long will it just sit there without the new one?
Mrage – new schools built out west will be in the appropriate districts (probably Goddard and Renwick); not in 259.
Joe – I think the land the stage sits on is designated ‘open park’ rather than commercially developable. It is my understanding that all the land between the road and the river is designated ‘open space’.
I like the stage there because of the atmosphere; however the comments about acoustics are well taken. I would love to see that addressed. Such an informal “on the grass” setting is hard to replicate elsewhere.
I ubderstand the Arena website is also down for revision. Maybe they will have a good ‘different story’ when they come back up.
Seems to be still up Ben.
http://sedgwickcounty.org/arena/index.cfm
Unless there is another one that I’m not aware of.
Ben,
On the west side,
Do you know Colwich Road…the city limits have been creeping to that boundary for years. Just west of Colwich road are farm fields.
The city of Goddard is good drive west of that area. I highly doubt they will build any schools so far east. They are having trouble keeping up with schools size increases within their city.
Schools need to be neighborhood, within a walk or bike ride for students. 259 will need to build schools for kids who live within the city limits.
A lot of open farm land becoming homes in that west side area.
Between 13th and Kellogg, 259 public grade school and high school will likely need to be built.
WRONG Mrage. Check Kansas Law. The school districts are not the same as city lines.
I live in Wichita. I also live in Goddard 265. Many people who live in Wichita live in other school districts.
I also know Colwich Road. It is quite a ways WEST of me but I am already in Goddard 265. That far north is likely either Maize or perhaps Renwick.
Have you discussed this with Goddard school officials? I have.
Joe,
Someday, in a future decade, maybe the West Bank stage gets update, rebuilt, whatever needs to be done.
It seems not be on the list of importance because concerts now are in other places during the River Festival.
I stand corrected Joe. It was something commented to me last night but not verified. This my preface “I understand … ”
Have you seen a new WW site? I’d like to see if they have any interesting announcements.
Ben,
Maize school district ends on the north side of 13th. ( east/west road) South side of 13th is the Goddard school district right now.
Could be Central. It weaves west to Colwich road eventually. I know from Central, its the Goddard School district.
Between Central and Kellogg. Between Central and Maple west near Colwich road is a lot of open farm land.
Future amount of homes built in that area, all those kids shouldn’t be bused out to Goddard. Parents driving kids out that way, then have to turn around and drive east to wherever they need to go.
Nothing worse living in Wichita city limits, driving out Goddard to drop someone off, then turn around and head east again.
Going to Goddard not for a lot of business or pleasure, so many people just keep going back and forth to that city.
School bus runs in the morning, returns kids. But they shouldn’t have to go so far to school.
Eventually no kids living east of Colwich road should be going to Goddard Schools. All homes using Kellogg as a boundary.
Eventually all the homes south of Kellogg and farther west of Colwich road will continue being in the Goddard School district.
Goddard can’t take all the new kids that could be in that area, no matter what they might want or say.
Mrage – this is another “ain’t gonna happen.” I live in the area you describe. We are Goddard 265. Nothing you say “should” matters; it is what WE say that counts. WE are the citizens who live there, pay taxes there, and send our kids to 265. I ask again; have you spoken to any Goddard school officials about this?
My grandchildren attend school there – and I think their school is east of colwich road.
Before you start dictating where we send our kids to school I suggest you better talk to us first.
“Goddard can’t take all the new kids that could be in that area, no matter what they might want or say.” I know one hell of a lot more about my school district than you ever will.
Ben,
This should be more clear…
If its 13th, the northern boundary.
All homes between 13th and Kellogg. Between Maize Road and Colwich Road.
That area should have 259 schools.
So many homes still to build in that area and within the city limits.
Homes west of Colwich from 13th, still will be in the Goddard school district.
If 259 builds some schools and they should. Driving back and forth for adults to Goddard from that area, gets old and wastes gas. Most people need head east of Maize Road, for work, shopping, whatever.
Its good Dillons and some businesses moved west on Maple. But you don’t see a lot of office spaces. A lot of people don’t work in that area.
I grew up in that area from the 70’s Ben. City limits were just west of Tyler Road back then.
I lived in Wind Rows, right across the street from the AOK camp ground.
BULLSHIT!
We are Goddard 265. WE WILL STAY GODDARD 265. Do you plan to steal the school we just built too?
KOA campground, that typo
Mrage – I live there NOW. So does my family. We live there BECAUSE it is 265. YOU ARE INSANE if you think Wichita 259 is going to take us over.
Built them in Goddard. You like driving back and forth to that city?
Should people have to ferry kids around that far west?
Have you been there lately? Checked out our new school on Colwich Rd north of Kallogg?
“Should people have to ferry kids around that far west?”
No, the appropriate question is “Should people have to obey orders from Mrage.” And the answer to that one is a resounding NO!
Go back to changing WSU’s name – neither of your silly dreams is going to happen. WE WILL MAKE SURE OF IT!
Maybe 259 should take over the KOA campground and that farm land beside it to Colwich road. Build schools right there! On Maple that would be a nice neighborhood school area.
Maybe 259 should deal with 259.
Your silliness ain’t gonna happen Mrage. You would have a war on your hands. We already have a school just a few blocks from the campgrounds. A very nice one. My grandchildren attend it.
Ben,
Honestly people in the 70’s sending their kids out to Goddard, having to drive so far west, wondered if 259 schools might ever be built as neighborhoods expanded.
No one has really talked about it. Just allowed Goddard schools to grow fast.
Have a great time in Goddard school district, I lived out there but never attended their schools.
Another family, their children didn’t either. Everyone else sent their kids to Goddard. We went to Catholic schools.
I don’t give a damn about the 70s. This is 2007 idiot! We HAVE talked about it. We HAVE built schools – including one EAST OF COLWICH ROAD! We moved where we moved to in order to be in 265. Why should I bus my kids to Wichita when we have fine schools in my district that we voted to pay for.
You keep your 259 hands off my district.
There is new Goddard grade school near the Corner of Kellogg and Colwich Road?
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Didn’t you know that?????????
Hey Marge!
Why don’t you bother checking the FACTS before you open your mouth…
There is a new school built just East of Colwich Road and South of Maple. There are THREE MORE SCHOOLS PLANED FOR THAT CORNER between maple and Kellogg.
If you had bothered to check the Goddard website you would know that. If you bothered to check state law, you would know it takes an act of GOD to change school boundaries.
The question was asked recently about weather or not kids should be bused “that far” and do you know what the answer was??? YES, PARENTS LIKE THE WAY THINGS ARE DONE HERE. Just like in Maize…
Oh, just in case you have figured it out yet, I LIVE IN GODDARD, MY KIDS GO TO SCHOOL HERE AND YOU MY SIR, ARE A MORON!
Oh, and also check your facts. The city of Wichita has annexed to the east side of Colwich road and the City of Goddard has annexed up to the West side of Colwich Road, THEREFOR THE NEW GODDARD SCHOOLS ARE IN THE CITY OF WICHITA AND THAT THE CITY OF WICHITA AND GODDARD ARE NOW TOUCHING.
Oh, here is another tidbit for you. The city of Goddard will be providing water and sewer services to West Wichita soon!
Hahahahahahaha… oh and take your high school sports stadium and shove it. I don’t know a single “county school” that will bother leaving their nice fields for some crummy thing you try to assemble out popsicle sticks in the middle of the ghetto. If you want to build something downtown, build it at east high, that way someone gets some use out of it. Goddard’s stadium already holds a couple of thousand people with plans of upgrading its stands shortly to hold even more. Its capable with full stands all the way around to have more seating than Hartmans arena… Oh, and hartmans arena would be built IN PARK CITY, not in Wichita! Hell sell Hartman the KC… ;-)
No, why would people in 259, and don’t live out there, hear about that?
Enough land? Because amount of homes still to build in that area will bust their seams fast.
Another high school to be built?
I don’t have children, so I’m not concerned about school systems yet. What school system is worst.
Highly doubt I would move to a another school system, its 259 or the Catholic Schools for my future children.
Goddard schools within the Wichita city limits seems weird.
Oh, and dont try to play the history game here mrage… I went to Goddard all my life… I even did a research paper on the history of Goddard in High School… My picture is on the wall in the High School’s Mane Street (and that’s not a type, if you went there, you would know that’s how Mane is spelled there.) I know more about the City of Goddard, West Wichita and the Goddard School district than you EVER hope to!
“No, why would people in 259, and don’t live out there, hear about that?”
Well, why would people in 259, and don’t live out there, pretend they know what they are talking about?
We are damn proud of our schools and what we have built. Keep your hands off!
“Goddard schools within the Wichita city limits seems weird. ” How about Wichita schools in Kechi?
“Enough land? Because amount of homes still to build in that area will bust their seams fast.”
There is no more land between Kellogg and Maple to be built on out to Colwich road. There is very little between Maple and Central from Colwich to Wichita. The majority of the growth will occur south of Kellogg in the near future.
Another high school to be built?
Yes, the Goddard school board figured it would be best to build “pockets” of schools. All of the schools for each grades will be in one area so that the kids who live in that area will always go to the same set of school, near each other. The school district has plans of building the next “pocket” even farther into Wichita, in the 151st area or maybe even 135th.
I agree with you that it seems weird that Goddard schools are in Wichita, in-fact I’m down right pissed at that and i am supporting a new mayor and council to express that… So, i don’t know about the laws, but i’m pushing to have it pulled out of Wichita and into Goddard, i doubt it will be successful but it will defiantly be fun to try…
Tony,
You and Ben slamming 259 is pointless.
Many 259 parents could argue that point with forever. Schools are neighborhood worthwhile. How do parents interact with the school they live by.
Bad neighborhood could have a bad school but that shouldn’t be the case. Good schools should be everywhere. At least one place to achieve dreams and learn something.
It looks like some parents don’t have to drive into Goddard so often, that’s a good thing now.
Football fields are areas where local teams play.
Goddard will play games downtown on occasion. Against 259 schools. So will other county schools.
All the labeling is reflection of you, remember that.
mrage,
I hate to break it to you, its closer to go to the Goddard football field than to downtown…
“Many 259 parents could argue that point with forever. Schools are neighborhood worthwhile. ”
I dont care about 259 parents. 265 parents LIKE THIS ARRANGEMENT and will keep it this way.
“Good schools should be everywhere. ”
Good luck on that one, there are bad schools, the neighborhoods help cultivate that problem… Thats partially how gangs form, the guys from the “neighborhood” gang up on the others… In places like goddard where everyone is from everywhere, that doesnt happen.
“All the labeling is reflection of you, remember that. ”
Labeling? I dont recall labeling, just calling u a moron, which you are because you cant do something simple like checking your sources before opening your mouth…
Mrage – it is you who began the slamming by advocating a raid on our district. And if people want to live in 259 that is wonderful. In fact, 259 is a very good district – I didn’t slam it.
And yes, I am sure we will play downtown on occassion. What does that have to do with your takeover?
When my son attended school “way out in Goddard” I had no problem being involved. That is what consciencious parents do.
As for labeling – you invited it. If you are going to pontificate on a subject you might just want to learn something about it first. The fact that you were clueless about our schools is a definite reflection of your ignorance.
Yes, we are protective of our schools. We are proud of our schools. We pay high taxes and do so willingly so that we can have them. So, obviously when someone wants to dismember our district we will fight back.
Where did I slam 259? Where did Tony slam 259?
Mrage, please stop embarrassing our school system, both public and parochial, with your poor grammar, usage, and sentence fragments.
A sort of irony here. Had it not been for the turmoil in 259 20 years ago I probably would have lived there instead od 265. I am a city person; for me Wichita is small town. 259 had many resources 265 could not match – particularly foreign languages and their superb IB program. Earhard Magnet School. So many others.
OOPS! Looks like I just slammed 259 again!
Tony,
Looks like you will be dealing with Ben and his family, taking Goddard schools back into Goddard city limits.
It does seem like 259 lost the border war at Kellogg and Colwich road.
Just because 259 has many other issues with multiple schools and Goddard district only hasthemselves to worry about.
Goddard’s district extending near Tyler Road, south of Maple, east of Maize is a part of it.
I spent from 74 to 82 in the area, so recognizable things still exist out west and in Goddard.
Goddard District is not ‘expanding’ Mrage – we are simply growing within our borders.
Tell me Mrage – are you going to take the 259 school in Kechi “back” into Wichita city limits?
Ben,
I don’t know about Kechi.
Northwest High School was such a big project and feeder grade schools on the west side, sent kids there.
There was no long term thinking about a farther west school expansion as the neighborhoods expanded. If there was long term thinking by the school board, they didn’t protect those plans.
Goddard was within their city limits back then. Annexing land outside their city limits, used your thinking.
Goddard was just expanding within its school boundaries. 259 was distracted with other problems.
West of Maize road never really seemed like a Wichita school district. Because the west side city limits near Tyler Road in 74, slowly expanded west over the years. Maize road was not in the city limits.
Central was a dirt road, past Maize Rd.
It seems reasonable 259 should build schools within their city limits. I don’t think Wichita is going to expand west of Colwich road. That’s it on the west side, maybe.
Wrong again Mrage. Goddard has always included the land in its district. It is true that until recently there was no need to build schools outside of the city. However, growth INSIDE ITS BOUNDARIES has necessitated additional schools. We have paid for them.
“It seems reasonable 259 should build schools within their city limits” That is a meaningless statement. 259 is NOT a city.
You are correct that 259 had its own problems. Many friends of mine were helping them deal with them. In my case, since I had a child in K at the time I chose to live in 265. In Wichita. 2 decades ago.
The reason “There was no long term thinking about a farther west school” is a result of the laws of the State of Kansas. Check them out. School district boundaries were already in place. And they ain’t gonna change.
“I don’t know about Kechi.” Check it out.
Ben,
I care more about size of a house lot, area of town for commute, considering future commuting in every way, the key decision where to live.
I won’t run to a particular school system as the basis to move. I would hope to help “fix” the neighborhood schools I live by.
I’m moving and building a new house, that I hope to live in until I’m dead. Next 40 years at least. I have to tear down or move the house on that lot. It has no basement. In good shape, could be moved. 3 bed, 2 bath home built in the 50’s.
Public school busing, some people have problems.
I was never bused, had to be taken until I got my drivers license.
That was difficult planning with both my parents working. Living on the far west side, but both working downtown or on the far east side. Commute for them was terrible. But their decision was a great house, outside the city limits. Big lot for the big family we had. Their commute decision was flawed.
They never considered the Goddard school district at all for our education. No matter the boundries where Goddard schools existed by state law.
We only cared about how far the city limits were creeping west.
Eventually the neighborhood I lived in got city water and off the well water problems. Attached to the sewer system. The sewage pond was covered up. Dirt road in the neighorhood was paved. Once the city took over. Once the city took over utilities.
People unfamiliar with state law school boundaries considered new city utilities, city schools will be coming.
Kids bused to Goddard weren’t pulled from another side of town.
Parents moving so their kids don’t get bused, they seem to be in a wild panic. Whatever school kids are sent to, parents should help that school perform in any way they can.
It doesn’t seem fair to bus kids clear across town. Some neighborhoods don’t have good school.
This is 2007, 259 hasn’t totally fixed that problem.
I have no idea if where I’m going to live,I send kids to 259 schools, they might get bused to another side of town.
I have no idea what school my future kids will go. I can only make the decision where I want to live right now, for my commute reasons. Plus its a big lot, larger than most and worth the money. Can build the custom house I’ve drawn. The lot size is most important to me right now.
A lot of things I have to build will be within a short commute from where I’ll be living. That is key.
No more driving into the sun or sunset.
House faces south. Protection from sunrise and sunset.
I have a thing about my head laying the east direction. My house design allows that.
Mrage – Goddard isn’t the only district with Wichita students – check out Haysville and Andover. In fact, I think Campus is in Wichita.
I agree with you that “I won’t run to a particular school system as the basis to move. I would hope to help “fix” the neighborhood schools I live by.” That is why I am involved in Goddard schools. However, when I lived in Illinois it was unrealistic for me to develop contacts in 259 to work with them prior to my move to Kansas. So, when I moved here I chose a district. And I chose Goddard. It and Wichita were about equidistant from my work; Haysville would actually been closer.
My point is that Goddard etc dod NOT encroach upon Wichita or 259 – quite the opposite. Wichita CITY annexed into Goddard 265.
As for assuring a short commute that is much more difficult for a family. We don’t always work at the same place. Also, do you “run to a particular neighborhood” if you change jobs or your employer moves?
Mrage – I have many friends who teach in 259. Show me where I slammed 259.
How many children do you have in public school?
“People unfamiliar with state law school boundaries considered new city utilities, city schools will be coming.” WRONG AGAIN! People chose homes in West Wichita/Goddard 265 SPECIFICALLY because they WERE familiar with the state laws.
My pride in 265 is not a slam at 259.
Ok I haven’t been a part of this one.
I DID get a chuckle out of Tony and Ben reacting to Mrage’s cavalierly drawn lines of Wichita civic expansion!
Goddard. You will be assimilated. Your unique technology and culture will be added to our own. USD 265 is irrelevant. Ben is irrelevant. You will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.
Ben,
Potentially I can control all my business fate. Commute where I want to, my decision. I’m project manager. How close I want to live near those projects, my choice.
Two out of three projects, I can live very close to.
Third is downtown. Not too far away at all.
I won’t need to take Kellogg or the bypass.
I don’t have children in any school district. 40 years old, no children created yet.
Your very proud of Goddard, wanting to fight 259 if ever they encroach farther west with a school.
If the city is providing water, sewer, electricity grid, mail, it has every right to build schools in that area.
Goddard for years, with its state law boundaries, and property taxes collected, provided nothing to property owners within the city limits where you live.
Except for mail. Maybe they did some road grating on west side dirt roads. Was that the County road grader, probably.
What has Goddard done beside mail, for your area until they built schools at the corner of Kellogg and Colwich road. Cut down commute time going to out Goddard, that’s the real plus!
You would fight 259 and have to prove the school system inferior to Goddard’s, if they ever consider a school out there.
It could be near 13th someday, west of Colwich road if the city limits creep farther west.
Maple is too close putting a 259 school near Kellogg and Colwich road schools.
But 13th would be far enough away!
In between, a western zone of Maize district and Goddard’s. A lot of Wichita services could be out there.
But mail would be a fight. Would Wichita’s postal system fight with Goddards for coverage on the west side of town.
An aggressive 259 school board, backed with Wichita utilities and services could potentially put a school out west.
Tony is right, Goddard has to step up and provide services more than mail. For people that will move in that area, now and in the future.
I don’t fault Goddard for putting a school close to Wichita city limits. Go where the kids are and cut down on their commute time.
Being bused out to the city of Goddard all those years just seemed like a long drive for all kids and their parents who lived within Wichita’s city limits.
I don’t think USD 259 has anymore room to expand. As far as territory. They did build a few new grade schools from the school bond issue.
You have Goddard, Haysville, Maize, Valley Center, Andover and Derby. All these school districts are surrounding Wichita in all directions.
It’s the nature of parisitic suburbs who sprouted up from the white flight crowd.
This is USD 259’s district map.
http://www.usd259.com/boe/boecontact/BOEMap.htm
“Goddard for years, with its state law boundaries, and property taxes collected, provided nothing to property owners within the city limits where you live.” BULLSHIT! Goddard 265 provided me with excellent schools. That is what I pay them for. I pay Wichita taxes for City services.
” You would fight 259 and have to prove the school system inferior to Goddard’s, if they ever consider a school out there.
It could be near 13th someday, west of Colwich road if the city limits creep farther west.
Maple is too close putting a 259 school near Kellogg and Colwich road schools.
But 13th would be far enough away!”
NOT A CHANCE!!!! That is NOT in 259 and never will be!
“Being bused out to the city of Goddard all those years just seemed like a long drive for all kids and their parents who lived within Wichita’s city limits.” More BS. Are you one of us parents? NO! Try asking us! You have no clue!
Mrage – you REALLY should learn a little about government and law in the State of Kansas. School districts have NOTHING to do with City government. I live in the City of Wichita, I pay City of Wichita taxes and vote in City of Wichita elections. I also live in Goddard USD 265; pay their taxes; vote in their elections.
Goddard High School is not much further from here than NorthWest.
“Would Wichita’s postal system fight with Goddards for coverage on the west side of town.” Wichita doesn’t have a postal system. Don’t you know that? IT’S CALLED THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE! In case you never learned that in school it is a part of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT!
” If the city is providing water, sewer, electricity grid, mail, it has every right to build schools in that area.” Name ONE SCHOOL the City of Wichita has built in the last 40 years. NONE! ZERO!
I guess you never learned that either. 259 is a school district; IT builds and runs schools. NOT THE CITY!
I sure hope you are not representative of USD 259’s education. Don’t know the differences between cities, school districts, federal government? They all have a role.
Are you aware of the fact that Renwick school district not only covers several cities but also parts of TWO Counties? That is how things are done in Kansas. Even this non-Kansan knows that!
Thanks for the map Joe. What do you call us non-whites who live in the “suburbs”? By the way; there is absolutely nothing parasitic about suburbs; we fully support our services.
By the way – if you look north and southeast you see a lot of 259 OUTSIDE of Wichita.
Mirage,
Why in the hell do you keep talking about commutes???
I lived in West Wichita my entire school life in Goddard. It took me a 10-20 min bus ride or about 5 min when i drove to get from west Wichita to Goddard. It takes me 20 min today from Goddard to downtown…
I know Wichita Students that take in excess of 30 min to get to school because of “forced busing”. Oh, there is another great thing about Goddard, don’t have to worry about forced busing and lottery’s. THEY ALL GO TO THE SAME SCHOOLS!
Goddard School District Boundary:http://www.goddardusd.com/district/BoundaryInfo.html
Map of Schools:http://www.goddardusd.com/district/map.html
City of Goddard Map:http://gis.sedgwick.gov/pdfmaps/county/pdfer.asp?twp=GODDROAD#
Joe – changing the subject a bit. Ive been told (not verified) they have discontinued the running of the Q again. Apparently not enough ridership. Don’t really know a lot – don’t work downtown.
Anyhow – don’t you think it would make sense to run it at night – a loop a lot like I talked about with your ‘people-mover’? Thinking I could drive downtown, park once (maybe L-D?); take the Q across downtown; and then kind of ‘meander’ my way back. I used to do that in New York – take the subway several miles down Manhatten and then ‘bar-hop’ my way back to where I was staying.
Maybe the Delano/Old Town merchants could support something like that? They do something similar in St. Louis to get people into the casinos across the river.
Comments?
Tony – one good thing about the ‘cluster’ approach is that siblings are at the same place. Also, if a High school kid is thinking about a teaching career he can easily walk to a ‘lower’ school to be a part-time aide. Also makes it easier for parents to get involved. Goddard 265 just LOVES slave labor!
I’m not for sure if the Q-line is down. I know they don’t run it during the Winter time. So maybe that is what you heard.
I don’t know how popular it is. I do know back in the Wichita Boathouse days, the Q-line had passegners all the time. It picked people up from Hyatt and Broadview and took them to Old Town and the Museum River district.
The bad thing is that it doesn’t run at night. Which kind of sucks! Would make a great shuttle to Old Town.
The people mover concept that I linked to the other day, just seemed unique, because people can use them whenever they want. It doesn’t loop or have waiting times like other modes of transportation. It’s on standby and ready for the person to come up and use it.
We are in agreement Joe. A strong recommendation someone needs to make to the City/County. Get the Q running at night – shuttle Old Town etc. That becomes a sort of demonstration pilot to show it cane be done. Isn’t this what they will need to support their arena?
Another ‘pet idea’ of mine – transit to River Festival. We have a lot of people coming in from outside of Wichita. They often don’t know their way around downtown all that well. So, using the buses we have, run shuttles to downtown from outlying locations. For example, Dillons at 135th/Maple.
Initially probably only run them the four weekend days – when roads are closed downtown. Maybe also friday nights.
Eventually – perhaps weekend night runs to town for the ‘party crowd’. I don’t know if it would work; but the investment would be small and worth it.
Does that empty rail line passing through NE Wichita go to Old Town?
I need to look at an old railroad map to see where it starts.
I remember a group advocating a light rail system, because it can take you to WSU, Bradley Fair, Waterfront and etc.
I think it might – not sure. Unfortunately that would take a large capital investment. I’m looking for something like a “pilot plant” to try it out. that is why the Q and buses to start.
You’re right. It’s not feasible and probably not practical, because nobody will use it.
The Skyweb Express people mover can probably be feasible within a short distance route in downtown. From the government office buildings on Main St. to Old Town and to WaterWalk.
Just that short loop.
I would add Delano and LD – especially for parking. But use the Q since it is ‘in stock’
“Does that empty rail line passing through NE Wichita go to Old Town?”
Yes/No… There is a line that runs between 13th and 21st from agusta to Hillside, than moves southwest, west of Oliver than under 135 between Murdock and Central. It than intersects with the major north/south lines north of central.
Q Line usually only runs spring/summer and only when the WDDC can raise funding to pay for it… I remember something that it costs 1K per week to run the Q-Line and the last few times the WDDC has paid for it. I believe the City kicked in for the festival last year, maybe the festival did, not sure there…
Yeah! It’s cool to use the Q.
While I visualize a people mover for downtown, I know any such proposel will be met with so much opposition that it will be shelved, never to come to light.
If I were a multi-millionaire, I would be building these projects just to do it so as to develop our city towards greater progress.
Has anyone ever been downtown on a Final Friday night when all of the Art places are open late??? Sometimes they have a free shuttle (modified Q-Line route) that runs. Its a blast…You park where ever, you get a map and you ride the shuttle around to all of the open studios… I recommend trying it, and that template there is exactly how the Arena Parking issue will have to be solved. Building small city/county owned garages through out downtown that can be used by day for business and by night for arena… Ride the Q all around downtown providing access from the arena to old town to downtown to Delano and back…
Joe – you have a vision. I respect that. I probably have a bit more experience – particularly having been in so many cities over the years. I’ve seen things work and not work. It would be interesting to do more “note-comparing” and see what we both might think would fly.
Looking just at this, while I like your ’sky-way’ I’d like to see the WDDC and the Old Town bars support a night version of the Q.
One big difference from the lunch time – users aren’t under a time constraint.
There you go Tony …
battery dying …
They usually have guys in golf carts or bicycle rickshaws out in Old Town that will ferry people around.
The people mover concept is just interesting to me. I’m not persuing it, just doing a bit of light research in the area.
Actually it started when I was reading about Indy’s people mover (very limited).
My focus is on the Peerless Tower and getting that thing going. site location is going to be critical. I believe I selected a good site, but need to get additional information about it before I can be confident on the site.
Golf carts won’t work for what I am thinking about; Q would. Park at one end; take the Q across or to a show; then ‘bar-hop’ back. and, uses existing equipment.
Might just suggest that to them.
Their website is stagnet right now, http://www.theqline.com/
But when ever it’s back up, put a shout out.
Joe,
As for a location for your tower… I like smack dab in the middle of town… I would say between Market, Broadway, English and Lewis…
A square block of mostly parking lots, along side downtown’s primary arteries, Market and Broadway…
Your far enough away from the river that you can get a good view of it from there along with the rest of downtown…
Tony – I was thinking about the same place. Midway between the Arena and WaterWalk.
I would have to check around to see if there is any available property in that area. I would love to jump start the development for the Arena Neighborhood.
Joe – go for it. We disagree on much of ‘how’ but not really on bottom line. I want my adopted home town to prosper. So do you.
One reason I’d like to see them make a Q-type thing work now is that it then becomes a sort of model for Arena transportation. Call it a confidence-building exercise.
Question for you and for Tony – could the tower house transmitters – cell etc?
It sure can. Thinking about a wifi hotspot?
Yep. Talk to Tony – he knows about such things.
Yea, If built with some thought put into it, it could be used for Cell, Two Way Radio, AM/FM, Wireless Internet, and microwave transmission…
Tony – a hotspot big enouth to stretch from Gamder Mountain to the Warren? (WaterWalk-OldTown)
Ben – will they allow us to rent bullet-proof vests for that route?
No, bring your own. But, I am sure there might be a business opportunity there for you.
LOL – I guess it bears looking into. I got in the way of a couple of angry patrons when taking my kids to a movie @ the Old Town Warren not long after it first opened. I wasn’t paying attention and one came running after the other and smacked right into me, sending me flying into the wall and landing in a heap on the floor, and my daughter who barely 100 lbs, soaking wet, to have to start shoving one of the big lugs who was about to step on her dazed mom. lol It was a sight. Thankfully, there was pretty big boy there who stepped in and calmed the two gentlemen down.
My son missed all of it in the bathroom and had to ask my daughter what happened, to which she responded loudly, “It’s just mom. We’re gonna have to quit taking her anywhere – she’s always getting herself into trouble.”
I can’t remember what show we say after that. lol
I like that theater because you can eat better food there while watching the movie.