Commissioners debate whether to pull Downtown Wichita action plan from consent

County staff told the commission the Downtown Wichita action plan will be considered as an element of the community investment plan and replaces the prior downtown element of the comprehensive plan. Scott, who introduced the item, said the plan is intended to serve as guidance for the area going forward and was developed by Downtown Wichita with public input.

"The downtown master plan, this is the 1 that's been, put together by, Wichita Downtown," Scott said, noting the plan has been vetted through public meetings and stakeholder engagement. Commissioners said the plan includes politically sensitive proposals — including references to Century II and performing-arts and convention center details — and questioned whether it should be adopted on a consent agenda without discussion.

One commissioner argued the plan "steers Downtown Wichita for the next 10 years" and urged more public comment rather than a rubber-stamp adoption. Staff said the plan does not itself commit the county to specific projects but would be used as an official guide and could be referenced in zoning reviews and MAPC considerations under state statute.

Vice Chair and staff agreed to coordinate so the county could hear the presentation and pull the item from consent if commissioners want fuller public discussion. The item will appear on the commission's agenda after the city council's presentation and staff said they will bring Downtown Wichita to present details to the commission.