15 March 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — The Neighboring Movement, a local non-profit, has purchased several buildings in south Wichita with the goal of revitalizing the South Broadway area.
The organization’s co-founder said that vacant buildings and other problems have given South Broadway a bad reputation for years. He hopes the $2.6 million project will help change people’s views of the area.
The area of south Wichita, between South Broadway and East Lincoln, has seen better days.
“We’re trying to figure out ways to bring investment to a part of Wichita that hasn’t seen investment in a really long time,” said The Neighboring Movement’s Co-Founder, Adam Barlow-Thompson.
Barlow-Thompson said purchasing these properties is one step towards revitalization.
“Everybody knows about South Broadway, and it has certain negative connotations, which are rightfully earned to be honest, and we want to create a visible change on this strip of our little neck of the woods,” said Barlow-Thompson.
The project was made possible with the backing of community partners. They are opening a coffee shop and apartments and want to provide space for businesses to thrive.
“It’s going to have a different feel, but we want it to feel safe, friendly like there’s something unique and quirky that we want to be a part of when you drive by, that people will pull over and join us in the neighborhood,” said Barlow-Thompson.
Wichita City Council Member Mike Hoheisel said the opening of the multi-agency center to help unhoused people would be another win for the South Broadway area.
“Mental health and addiction, we are moving forward on those as a city, so as soon as the big picture comes into view, and we get those projects completed, that’s going to help alleviate a lot of the burden,” said Hoheisel.
Hoheisel also believes that rehabbing abandoned houses in the area and finding new residents would boost the neighborhood.
“Working on a number of issues and prerogatives down there in South Broadway, to bring it back to the neighborhoods that it was when I grew up down there,” said Hoheisel.
The eventual goal for The Neighboring Movement, is to make the entire strip of South Broadway open and inviting.
The Neighboring Movement co-founder said renovations will start soon, and they expect to open in early 2025.