KANSAS CITY - The Wichita City Council voted no on a nearly $50 million plan to build a 5-story, 186-unit affordable housing complex in Wichita's Waterwalk area, just northeast of King Freight.
After the developer's pitch, Assistant City Manager Troy Anderson discussed the history of Waterwalk, where we learned that private developers initially pledged to invest over $86 million to the area. Twenty-three years into the 99-year-agreement, that actual investment has been roughly $36.5 million. Meanwhile, the city and its taxpayers have spent around $43.8 million.
Mayor Lily Wu said a lot of promises were not kept by Waterwalk developers. She asked those developers to come back to the table and craft a new agreement so the city can move forward.
The motion to deny passed 6-1, with Council member Brandon Johnson supplying the lone no vote.
The council also got a report on the city's finances and it says the General Fund performed as expected in the second quarter of 2025.
The city says the overall outlook is favorable, as positive sales tax growth and strength of interest earnings continues. However, the city's year-end fund balance could be affected by public safety overtime. Public safety is currently over 65 percent of General fund expenditures.
The city also reported lower than expected turnover in non-public safety areas. Total salary and benefits are increasing as the city has been successful in filling positions.
Revenues for the city's water and sewer operations were slightly higher than 2024 and expenditures were consistent with last year. The Golf Fund continues to excel, after a weak first quarter due to the weather.