A major project in downtown Wichita can now begin, after the Wichita City Council approved establishing a community improvement district and industrial revenue bonds for the Orpheum Theatre.
The Orpheum requested a sales tax exemption on items purchased for the project through the issuance of $9.5 million in bonds, which will be repaid over 15 years.
A CID petition for $1.095 million in special assessment financing was also approved. The 2% CID sales tax will be added on items at the theatre only.
The project will provide new seats for both levels, new lighting and audio, along with stage improvements and façade repairs. Because of the work, the theatre will be closed for a year.
The council also approved the city's water conservation rebate program for 2024.
The revised program incentivizes devices like rain barrels, irrigation controllers and rain sensors that reduce outdoor watering, along with toilet leak repair kits and dual flush conversion kits that will stop indoor water loss due to leaks.
The city has budgeted a total of $150,000 in 2024. $75,000 will be allocated for residential water customers, $25,000 for wholesale customers, and $50,000 to fund reimbursements to MABCD for water loss and water waste repairs.
Customers will be limited to 5 rebates annually. For more information and to find an application, visit the city's web site.
In other news, the council awarded 17 cultural funding grants to local artists for 2024. The city says applications were judged based on adherence to the goals of the program, quality of the application, and impact on the community.
In all, 26 total grant recipients will receive grants this year, the largest pool of awardees the program has ever received. They represent a range of disciplines including music, theatre and visual arts.
This round of cultural funding grants totaled $11,690, bringing the yearly total up to $472,084.