Council approves Webb Road design concept to add sidewalks and lanes; vote 6-1 after debate on priorities

Public Works recommended a corridor upgrade for Webb Road from Central to 13th St., including widening most of the mile to a 5-lane section with a two-way left-turn lane, continuous sidewalks on both sides (six-foot typical; eight-foot adjacent to curb in constrained sections), pedestrian facility improvements near Minnehaha Elementary and Wichita Collegiate, and signal accommodations where warranted. Staff noted concerns about tree impacts, floodplain constraints in parts of the corridor, and utility relocations. The total project construction estimate presented is roughly $3.75 million for a half-mile segment (Webb project scope varies across items) and an $8,000,000 figure was cited for the full mile project in the initial presentation; the design fee to date and supplemental agreement brought the total design fee to $734,650 within an approved CIP budget.

Council members debated trade-offs between investing in new sidewalks and lanes versus prioritizing patch-and-repair on existing streets across the city. Advocates emphasized school safety, noting recent crashes near Wichita Collegiate and Minnehaha Elementary and low sidewalk connectivity due to gaps. Opponents said limited local sales-tax dollars have opportunity costs and suggested one-side sidewalk options to reduce new-maintenance burdens. After discussion the council approved the design concept and supplemental agreement (motion passed 6-1).