Pink Slip Party!

Pink Slip Party #2 on Wednesday July 8th, 5.30pm - 8pm at The Pumphouse in Old Town (at 2nd and Moseley).

Professionals in the Wichita area who have been, or believe they soon will be, impacted by staffing reductions are invited to come to this Pink Slip party. Also some of you employers and entrepreneurs, who may be looking for a new team member or potential busines partner, may want to drop in and meet some of the participants.

This isn't your typical job fair, but a real opportunity to encourage one another to reinforce old friendships and form new ones, all in an environment focusing on matching skills and talents to employment. Creative thinkers and strategists will be on hand to explore new ways for professionals to apply their skills in working for others or for working for themselves. It will be the place to develop new leads and get positive reinforcement from both unemployed and employed Wichitans who care about our great community. Admittance is free.

Complimentary snacks and a cash bar will be provided This will be a fun, networking experience for all who have a story, a skill, or an idea to share:

If you or someone you know would like to get "pumped up" at the Pumphouse, join the party! No RSVP needed. Just show up ready to have a great time.

Check out the web site to get a feel for what this is, including a link to a video of the first successful Pink Slip Party on May 20.

Wichita named All American City

There were 3 projects that were included in Wichita's presentation, Visioneering (inlcuding YPW), Opportunity Drive, and Mennonite Housing. Our very own, Heather Denker had a starring role presenting Visioneering and YPW. View the video of the presentation here!

For more information, check out the tweets from the event at www.twitter.com/ypw, even the Mayor got in on the YPW Twitter action!

VISIONING A NEW CENTRAL LIBRARY

Discussions Scheduled To Gather Community Input

To help envision a new Central Library that meets the city's needs, the Wichita Public Library seeks community input at a series of forums. Topics to be discussed include features citizens recommend be included in a new library. Different sessions have been arranged to allow for in-depth exploration of key topics. They are as follows:

Tuesday, June 30
Spaces for Researchers, 10:15-11 a.m.
Teen Spaces, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Serving the Neighborhood, 7-8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 1
Serving the Business Community (Meets at the Wichita Area Chamber of Commerce, 350 W. Douglas), 7:30-9 a.m.
Children's Spaces, 10:15-11 a.m.
Serving General Users, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Serving General Users, 2-3 p.m.
Serving General Users, 6:30-8 p.m.

All sessions will be held at the Wichita Public Library, 223 S. Main, unless otherwise noted.
For more information, call the Wichita Public Library at 261-8500 or visit its web site.

RFQ Issued for Downtown Master Plan

Innovative Design Team Sought to Develop 20-Year Vision for Downtown

The City of Wichita on Friday issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), seeking design teams interested in developing a 20-year Downtown Revitalization Master Plan. A multidisciplinary design team will be charged with developing a bold vision that celebrates the city’s rich history and reflects the community’s progressive spirit.

“An updated Master Plan will provide Wichita with ambitious development strategies that reveal downtown’s tremendous potential,” Mayor Carl Brewer said. “It will move downtown forward in a cohesive way that connects existing assets such as Old Town, INTRUST Bank Arena and River Corridor Improvements. It will create a pedestrian-friendly environment that makes downtown Wichita a unique and memorable experience. Downtown will be a place for people of all ages, ethnicities and cultures.”

“Today’s release of the RFQ reflects the momentum that is underway to develop downtown Wichita into the next great American River City,” said Larry Weber, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) Chairman. “We are a city with tremendous assets and opportunities; and we look to the future with great expectations. The master plan will guide us as we continue the development of our city center, the identity of our community.”
Another goal of the Master Plan is to enhance downtown’s status as a destination. A further revitalized core area will feature park and open spaces as well as additional retailers, residences, restaurants, office buildings and multiple venues for arts and entertainment. It will help retain young people, families and jobs. It will grow the tax base and make Wichita more competitive with neighboring and competing cities.

To help fund the Master Plan, the Wichita City Council authorized funding from the Stabilization Reserve Fund in the amount of $175,000 and $50,000 from the Federal Transit Administration. The WDDC Board of Directors committed $175,000 as seed capital to forge partnerships and secure additional funding. The WDDC has a goal of raising at least $100,000 from private sector businesses and has secured $57,000 in just more than a month of fund raising.
The selection process will be overseen by the Downtown Revitalization Steering Council recently appointed by the Wichita City Council. The RFQ is attached and is available at http://www.wichita.gov/.


Downtown_Revitalization_Master_Plan_RFQ

YP's In the News!

Check out this neat story featuring some of our very own YPW Members: Young Professionals Speak About Big Benefits.