Towne West rezoning to potentially bring economic boost, jobs
The new property owners say this means economic development and jobs. On Thursday, the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission gave initial approval for a plan to repurpose parts of Towne West into an industrial and manufacturing hub.
'I think this is a yes to bring in dilapidated property, bring life back to an area that hasn't seen life in a while,' said District 4 Wichita Council Member Dalton Glasscock, Wichita Council Member, District 4.
The potential rezoning of Towne West has some at City Hall excited about opportunities for Wichitans and the economic growth the new property owners hope to bring.
'They've come in for a rezoning, so they want to be able to use the property for things that they're currently are not permitted at the site. And in this case, they're looking for more manufacturing and industrial uses to be allowed on that site,' Scott Wadle, the planning director at the Wichita/Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department, said.
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Department stores in Towne West, such as Dillard's Clearance and JCPenney, will remain intact.
'The remaining property will be essentially gutted down to the studs, and you'll create this blank canvas that you can then break up into multiple spaces for multiple users,' said Chris Salata, Towne West property owner.
Users who would hopefully make the economy strong and add jobs.
'We plan on investing north of $35 million into the property, and so we're going to do a really good job as it relates to what this thing ultimately looks like from the exterior,' Salata added.
At the planning meeting, this proposal got approval to move forward to the next steps.
This isn't a done deal yet. The zoning request now goes to a District Advisory Board in April, but it is ultimately decided on by the City Council. The owners say this is a 600,000-square-foot project that will take 24 to 36 months before it is fully leased at the site.
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