2 April 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Wichita City Council will be deciding on IRBs (Industrial Revenue Bonds) and a CID (Community Improvement District) for the Orpheum Theatre multi-million dollar renovation
A public hearing will be held at Tuesday’s meeting.
The Orpheum is requesting a sales tax exemption on items purchased for the redevelopment project through the issuance of IRBs not to exceed $9,500,000. The project includes demolition, full interior rehabilitation, new seating for both levels, new lighting and audio, stage improvements, and façade repairs. The council is also considering a CID petition for $1,095,000 in special assessment financing, which includes a 2% CID sales tax. The tax would be added on items at the theatre only.
“And what they’re asking from the city is, they want to make sure that they can have a sales tax for only the patrons that use the Orpheum to help pay back to renovate this facility,” Mayor Lily Wu said last month to KSN News. “And again, what they’re asking for is a loan of $1 million from their $9.5 million project.”
The renovations will require the theater to close for a year.
BULK CONVEYOR IRB REQUEST
The council will decide whether to issue IRBs not exceeding $13 million for Bulk Coveryors, Inc. The company wants to construct a 150,000-square-foot facility at 37th Street North and St. Francis. Bulk Conveyors designs and manufactures chain conveyors, bucket elevators, air-supported conveyors, chain breakers, and parts for conveying equipment.
ORDINANCE NAMING CITY WEBSITE AS OFFICIAL PAPER
Also, councilors will decide on a $150,000 saving for publication costs for certain documents and city notices. The city would be able to put those on its website.
The Wichita Eagle would remain the official city newspaper for notices listed below. They are required to be published in a newspaper by Kansas statute, such as the annual budget.
The contract with the Wichita Eagle will be utilized for these publications until August 2024, when the contract will be rebid.
To watch the council meeting, click here.