Wichita

[West2Omaha]

How many times must I say it!?! I'm neither a.) a native b.) opposing the annexation. Actually, I'm all for it, though I refrain from expressing my city-related sentiments to natives or the "hypocrites."

[CaliCorey]

Here is the thing on Wichita...I lived there for a year while in college....Wichita actually does have a good economy, and there is a lot of money there....looking at the city, you would challenge me on that, they have a dreadful downtown (it makes Omaha's look like Manhattan), and they have a very large industrial area as you come into the city from the north.....that said, it leaves a bad first impression.

However, Wichita has a lot of very cultured and educated people....they have great local theater, the community of Eastborough, which is in east central Wichita, still ranks as one of the wealthiest suburbs/communities in the US....it's a friendly place, people are pretty cool there....and I've found it a little more liberal than you might think. They have a fairly thriving gay community, several private and public universities and colleges, and a great appreciation for the arts.

Again, the appearance of the city isn't an accurate protrayal of all that's really going on there. They have two large malls (or they did), the nicest one being 'Town East Square', the other, 'Town West Square'....Town East would be like our Westroads or Oakview....I can't imagine that you would have any problems integrating into the city....I actually liked Wichita a lot when I was there....they are just a little behind on their downtown/urban development.

[enigmo]

Thanks, Cali. And since the time you lived here (not knowing when that was), they've built Bradley Fair in east Wichita, which is a cross between One Pacific Place, Regency Court and South Pointe Pavilions (in Lincoln). It has higher-end stores and restaurants and an amphitheater-like performance area for concerts and other event on a lake.

Like I've said, aviation and oil are kings here. Even the blue-collar folk want things to do and places to shop. It might not produce a great symphony or a great opera company, but there are lots of other great things here. And Boeing and all the other aviation companies have always given lots of money to local projects. The YMCAs here put Omaha's to shame, thanks to huge backing by the local companies. Granted, I think Omaha has more for-profit gyms.

Eastborough is a funny place. You can only drive 20 mph through the main street and I really think the only job of its police force is to nab speeders. Wichita has a hands-off policy on Eastborough even though its right smack dab in the middle of town. It'll never be annexed. And that's probably a good thing.

Of course, this week's premiere of "The Ice Harvest," which stars John Cusack and has a storyline based in Wichita but was filmed in Chicago, will perpetuate the less-than-stellar image of Wichita.

[CaliCorey]

Yeah...it's been awhile, can you tell? Bradley Fair sounds like a nice and much needed project....glad you have it.

Does Wichita have any plans for changes or upgrades to your downtown? I would think someone would put up a modern skyscraper or at least something to add to that odd shaped hotel, and the 'pointed' building....can't think of the name right now....

[DTO Luv]

Did anyone hear the idiot Gov. of ours on T-n-T? Some guy (21) called in and aksed what could be done to curb brain drain. The idiot then went on to proclaim that Omaha has much more to offer than Topeka and Wichita which is where all the young people wanted to be. I almost wrecked my car right there.

[Omaha Cowboy]

I'm surprised our esteemed Admin hasn't moved this to the regional part of the forum.

Done..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

[MTO]

Did anyone hear the idiot Gov. of ours on T-n-T? Some guy (21) called in and aksed what could be done to curb brain drain. The idiot then went on to proclaim that Omaha has much more to offer than Topeka and Wichita which is where all the young people wanted to be. I almost wrecked my car right there.

That is sooo insulting! I can understand maybe Laurence but that is very minimal. It is also sad to think that his heads so far back in the past or at least that’s the only excuse I can make for him. We all know Omaha competes against much larger metros and can hold its own.

[OmahaRules]

Hey he sounded much better than I expected on the T-n-T show plus I think he's a much better candidate than old T.O. so it could and most likely will be much much worse when T.O. gets into office.

[Renovator2559]

On the drive to the Total eclipse site, drove and stopped at Wichita.

Wichita may not have much of a skyline but OMG, the sunken i70 highway system is beautifully ornate with 3d visual etched waves and trees lining the upper and the lower sides. Such beautiful sandstone look, the sandstone color theme of Wichita is very nice. Also Wichita has plenty of neat and beautiful architecture.

[Louie]

OMG

OMG

[Cermak]

Overall Wichita is pleasant enough, they just need to get some more height Downtown. Smallish dated skyline for its size. Think Overland Parks is better.

[zippy]

... but OMG, the sunken i70 highway system is beautifully ornate ...

I-70 is quite a ways north of Wichita

[Athomsfere]

... but OMG, the sunken i70 highway system is beautifully ornate ...

I-70 is quite a ways north of Wichita

I have a feeling he meant Kellogg.

Having lived in Wichita, whenever someone asks me about it I always say the same: "Terrible place, don't ever go there".

I still make it back once a year, and really it doesn't surprise me it grows so slowly. The city and the people just seem to want to stay a bigger Hutchinson, not any sort of a real city.

[Renovator2559]

... but OMG, the sunken i70 highway system is beautifully ornate ...

I-70 is quite a ways north of Wichita

I have a feeling he meant Kellogg.

Having lived in Wichita, whenever someone asks me about it I always say the same: "Terrible place, don't ever go there".

I still make it back once a year, and really it doesn't surprise me it grows so slowly. The city and the people just seem to want to stay a bigger Hutchinson, not any sort of a real city.

You are right I was still thinking I was in i70 but in fact it was i35, since I was coming from Topeka. Though I did use i70 from KC

I agree that there are a long ways for Wichita to become a better city in many aspects; but I just like to acknowledge some areas that they do well; especially some of their sunken, carved and tree lined interstates. Also, Wichita may not have tall buildings but they do have some impressive, detailed architecture

Also, Kansas as a state in its interstates, has these neat "Service Centers" where both sides of the interstate diverge outward and create a plot of land in the shape of a diamond, in which both sides of the interstate can access without a bridge. These LOVEs service centers are unique because they have plenty of amenities, plenty of glass, plenty of seats

Overall, it was fun to visit and see all these cities in one go and compare; especially on our way to the eclipse!

[TitosBuritoBarn]

... but OMG, the sunken i70 highway system is beautifully ornate ...

I-70 is quite a ways north of Wichita

I have a feeling he meant Kellogg.

Having lived in Wichita, whenever someone asks me about it I always say the same: "Terrible place, don't ever go there".

I still make it back once a year, and really it doesn't surprise me it grows so slowly. The city and the people just seem to want to stay a bigger Hutchinson, not any sort of a real city.

I've been quite curious about Wichita. It wasn't too long ago that it was about the same size as Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, etc. Can you elaborate some on what you think has led leadership and the citizenry to want to not evolve into a larger city?

[Renovator2559]

I am curious to know about this as well, especially Wichita being more southern and warmer.
Is it because Wichita was following the examples of OKC car centric development? Which city or cities does Wichita model after?
Is it because Wichita does not have as many large and prominent industries like OKC, Tulsa and Omaha?

Its odd that Wichita did not grow due to the oil boom like OKC and Tulsa.

[Athomsfere]

I've been quite curious about Wichita. It wasn't too long ago that it was about the same size as Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, etc. Can you elaborate some on what you think has led leadership and the citizenry to want to not evolve into a larger city?

Its really hard to summarize it.

Growth: They are a good 20 years behind in the MSA counts. But where Omaha has had a few strong decades in my lifetime of ~15% and usually does at least 10%. 10% is practically Wichita's best.

The Kochs have not been good stewards by any metric, Wichita's Warren Buffet has two evil brothers instead. Buffet lives in the city and makes plenty of investments, donations, and connects the world to Omaha. The Kochs built their sprawling campus in a part of town that sits amongst farms, live in a walled off mansion in town, and give very little back to the city.

As a whole: The economy there seems split between working for Koch (who under pays IMO) or the airplane manufacturers. The biggest reason I left Wichita was that for like 5% more on housing I could take a job in Omaha for 30% more pay. And of all the cities I could easily interview at the time of, I liked Omaha the most. Over OKC, Tulsa, KC and Dallas.

I expect the cost of living in ICT has stayed flatter than most, but I would be surprised if the pay rates have stayed even flatter.

Civic projects: Omaha built the now CHI Health Center. Looking at it through the lenses of someone who came after it was built it was a smart, bold move. Wichita saw that development, took inspiration, and built a sad scale model in the form of their Intrust Bank Arena ~6 years later.

Their Riverfront project has been under some form of construction for what must be 20+ years. It's still 1/20th of the old GLM and like 1/100th of the new version.

This is their version of the Old Market: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6853138 ... ?entry=ttu

Not much to do, mostly surface parking, and still tiny.

The hip area, or their version of a Benson, Blackstone is... improving. But in the time Delano has tried to become something Omaha has seen Benson blow up, Blackstone follow in its trails, and Little Italy / Little Bohemia become the next thing, and Aksarben was built.

Delano: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6840558 ... ?entry=ttu

And it's just sort of there. Mixed in with industrial lots, parking lots, and 1 of like 2 modernish looking apartments in the city.

A lot of international students do go to WSU. Because its cheap. But as far as I can tell it Bellevue, Creighton and UNO are in every way better colleges.

And talking to anyone in Wichita the consensus seems to be Wichita is exploding, its perfect. There is no reason to build housing instead of parking lots...

[Athomsfere]

I am curious to know about this as well, especially Wichita being more southern and warmer.
Is it because Wichita was following the examples of OKC car centric development? Which city or cities does Wichita model after?
Is it because Wichita does not have as many large and prominent industries like OKC, Tulsa and Omaha?

Its odd that Wichita did not grow due to the oil boom like OKC and Tulsa.

A short WOT above.

But yes, slightly warmer. But IME Wichita and even OKC get wilder weather and more snow. Just warmer.

[Omaha Cowboy]

... but OMG, the sunken i70 highway system is beautifully ornate ...

I-70 is quite a ways north of Wichita

I have a feeling he meant Kellogg.

Having lived in Wichita, whenever someone asks me about it I always say the same: "Terrible place, don't ever go there".

I still make it back once a year, and really it doesn't surprise me it grows so slowly. The city and the people just seem to want to stay a bigger Hutchinson, not any sort of a real city.

I've been quite curious about Wichita. It wasn't too long ago that it was about the same size as Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, etc. Can you elaborate some on what you think has led leadership and the citizenry to want to not evolve into a larger city?

Back in 2020, the LA Times had an interesting article chronicling Omaha and Wichita..

From the piece-

“Jobs in Omaha grew 6.6% in the decade ending in 2018, with average annual wages rising 8.8%, pushing the standard of living up 10.5%, according to Brookings. While both Omaha and Wichita hovered at around 500,000 residents in 1980, the population of Omaha’s metro area now exceeds 975,000. Wichita’s is 645,000.

“The general sentiment in Omaha is people feel fortunate to live there,” said Chung, who compared the city to Wichita in his study. “Omaha does a great job of investing in itself.””..

The complete story link:

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/st ... prosperity

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Flyer14]

Great share, thanks Cowboy

[Omaha Cowboy]

Great share, thanks Cowboy

You’re Welcome …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[TitosBuritoBarn]

... but OMG, the sunken i70 highway system is beautifully ornate ...

I-70 is quite a ways north of Wichita

I have a feeling he meant Kellogg.

Having lived in Wichita, whenever someone asks me about it I always say the same: "Terrible place, don't ever go there".

I still make it back once a year, and really it doesn't surprise me it grows so slowly. The city and the people just seem to want to stay a bigger Hutchinson, not any sort of a real city.

I've been quite curious about Wichita. It wasn't too long ago that it was about the same size as Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, etc. Can you elaborate some on what you think has led leadership and the citizenry to want to not evolve into a larger city?

Back in 2020, the LA Times had an interesting article chronicling Omaha and Wichita..

From the piece-

“Jobs in Omaha grew 6.6% in the decade ending in 2018, with average annual wages rising 8.8%, pushing the standard of living up 10.5%, according to Brookings. While both Omaha and Wichita hovered at around 500,000 residents in 1980, the population of Omaha’s metro area now exceeds 975,000. Wichita’s is 645,000.

“The general sentiment in Omaha is people feel fortunate to live there,” said Chung, who compared the city to Wichita in his study. “Omaha does a great job of investing in itself.””..

The complete story link:

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/st ... prosperity

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Interesting read, thank you.

[Omaha Cowboy]

... but OMG, the sunken i70 highway system is beautifully ornate ...

I-70 is quite a ways north of Wichita

I have a feeling he meant Kellogg.

Having lived in Wichita, whenever someone asks me about it I always say the same: "Terrible place, don't ever go there".

I still make it back once a year, and really it doesn't surprise me it grows so slowly. The city and the people just seem to want to stay a bigger Hutchinson, not any sort of a real city.

I've been quite curious about Wichita. It wasn't too long ago that it was about the same size as Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, etc. Can you elaborate some on what you think has led leadership and the citizenry to want to not evolve into a larger city?

Back in 2020, the LA Times had an interesting article chronicling Omaha and Wichita..

From the piece-

“Jobs in Omaha grew 6.6% in the decade ending in 2018, with average annual wages rising 8.8%, pushing the standard of living up 10.5%, according to Brookings. While both Omaha and Wichita hovered at around 500,000 residents in 1980, the population of Omaha’s metro area now exceeds 975,000. Wichita’s is 645,000.

“The general sentiment in Omaha is people feel fortunate to live there,” said Chung, who compared the city to Wichita in his study. “Omaha does a great job of investing in itself.””..

The complete story link:

https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/st ... prosperity

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Interesting read, thank you.

You’re Welcome …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Cermak]

Wichita has a nice older neighborhood called College Hill which is sort of along the lines of Dundee. I had heard they are trying to diversify their economy as it’s currently to dependent on the aviation industry. The downtown is in serious need of some new height, whether it be commercial or residential. On a positive note housing prices In Wichita are very low, probably one of the most affordable metro’s in the country.

[TitosBuritoBarn]

I've been quite curious about Wichita. It wasn't too long ago that it was about the same size as Omaha, Des Moines, Tulsa, etc. Can you elaborate some on what you think has led leadership and the citizenry to want to not evolve into a larger city?

Its really hard to summarize it.

Growth: They are a good 20 years behind in the MSA counts. But where Omaha has had a few strong decades in my lifetime of ~15% and usually does at least 10%. 10% is practically Wichita's best.

The Kochs have not been good stewards by any metric, Wichita's Warren Buffet has two evil brothers instead. Buffet lives in the city and makes plenty of investments, donations, and connects the world to Omaha. The Kochs built their sprawling campus in a part of town that sits amongst farms, live in a walled off mansion in town, and give very little back to the city.

As a whole: The economy there seems split between working for Koch (who under pays IMO) or the airplane manufacturers. The biggest reason I left Wichita was that for like 5% more on housing I could take a job in Omaha for 30% more pay. And of all the cities I could easily interview at the time of, I liked Omaha the most. Over OKC, Tulsa, KC and Dallas.

I expect the cost of living in ICT has stayed flatter than most, but I would be surprised if the pay rates have stayed even flatter.

Civic projects: Omaha built the now CHI Health Center. Looking at it through the lenses of someone who came after it was built it was a smart, bold move. Wichita saw that development, took inspiration, and built a sad scale model in the form of their Intrust Bank Arena ~6 years later.

Their Riverfront project has been under some form of construction for what must be 20+ years. It's still 1/20th of the old GLM and like 1/100th of the new version.

This is their version of the Old Market: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6853138 ... ?entry=ttu

Not much to do, mostly surface parking, and still tiny.

The hip area, or their version of a Benson, Blackstone is... improving. But in the time Delano has tried to become something Omaha has seen Benson blow up, Blackstone follow in its trails, and Little Italy / Little Bohemia become the next thing, and Aksarben was built.

Delano: https://www.google.com/maps/@37.6840558 ... ?entry=ttu

And it's just sort of there. Mixed in with industrial lots, parking lots, and 1 of like 2 modernish looking apartments in the city.

A lot of international students do go to WSU. Because its cheap. But as far as I can tell it Bellevue, Creighton and UNO are in every way better colleges.

And talking to anyone in Wichita the consensus seems to be Wichita is exploding, its perfect. There is no reason to build housing instead of parking lots...

Gotcha. So it sounds like they could do some great stuff with what they have if they tried, but there's a severe lack of trying.

[Athomsfere]

Gotcha. So it sounds like they could do some great stuff with what they have if they tried, but there's a severe lack of trying.

I think that is their current biggest problem. Not much of a sense of community, and staunch opposition to change.