The Downtown Wichita Action Plan will guide the transformation of Wichita’s downtown for the next decade. It intends to nurture a connected, mixed-use downtown that embraces the Arkansas River, honors Wichita’s culture and heritage, and showcases innovative, high-quality urban design. It outlines both a strategic vision and a practical plan of action for getting there.

 Activating the Arkansas River as the city’s central gathering place for recreation, gathering, and connection to nature was a critical goal of the plan. The plan turns the riverfront into a destination by incorporating a cultural walking and biking loop. In addition to enhanced connectivity, the riverfront is activated through enhanced parks, trails, playgrounds, and surrounding infill development.

©Sasaki ©MCLV ©DowntownWichita

LOCATION / Wichita, KS

CLIENT / Downtown Wichita

DATE / 2025

TEAM / Sasaki, Public Sphere Places, Ideas & Action, Speck Dempsey, Parson Associates

PRESS

“Riverfront corridor, performing arts center and street redesigns: 10 things to know about new Downtown Master Plan,” Wichita Business Journal. 13 August 2026.

“City, County approve plan to transform Downtown Wichita,” KSN TV, 19 August 2026.