At Tuesday's Wichita City Council workshop, the council received an update on paid parking in the downtown area.
The parking plan was rolled out in four phases in mid-late 2025. Thanks to over $542 thousand in start-up costs, the fund experienced a $38 thousand loss last year. That deficit though was over $232 thousand the year before.
The city has been collecting data over the last several months, to determine how the plan is going and if any adjustments need to be made. While the city has made recent changes to parking at City Hall, more significant changes are coming when special events are held downtown at Intrust Bank Arena, Century II and Equity Bank Park.
Current proposals leave on-street parking the same at $1/hour, but price hikes are likely in city-owned lots and parking garages. A current proposal suggests an event-goer would be charged $55 to park in a city lot near Intrust Bank Arena for a large event. To compare, parking near the arena for Wednesday night's Thunder Hockey game ranges from $17 to $29.
The proposal also suggests the price to park at a large event at Century II will cost $30.
There is an update on repairs that are underway at the new, Northwest Water treatment plant.
Temporary repairs were completed on one of the six faulty clarifiers at the plant, allowing it to restart on February 22. Operating the plant gives city staff more experience with the new facility by testing systems and procedures.
Repair work on the clarifiers will continue into the summer. The contract language stipulates that the city won't take ownership of the plant until all repairs are finished, and at no additional cost. A 2-year warranty on the clarifiers begins once the city takes ownership.
Thanks to the delays, the city is still pursuing legal options.
