The Wichita Eagle, October 25, 2006

21st St. Project could get new name
By Jillian Cohan

If city planners have their way, you won’t have to stumble over the name “21st Street Revitalization Project” much longer.

Among the recommendations unveiled at a community meeting Tuesday, the city suggested a new name for the multicultural district: Nomar International.

No-Mar has long been an abbreviation for the North Market area, so it was a natural choice, said Sonia Greteman, president and creative director of the Greteman Group, which is working with city on the project.

The addition of “International” to the district’s name is intended to underscore its Hispanic and Asian heritage, Greteman said.

“This is our palette, to give you things to think about,” Greteman said during the 21st Neighborhood Association meeting Tuesday at the Minisa Park community building.

The early planes for the area call for beautification projects on nearly a mile of 21st Street, anchored by a multicultural marketplace that would gather shops and restaurants near a market plaza. The hope is to make the district a destination for Wichitans and visitors.

Along with the proposed name, the Greteman Group and Wilson Darnell Mann Architects unveiled proposals for a bandstand in the market plaza, a gateway tower, gateway arches and a mix of retails and residential buildings. Many of the designs were inspired by Spanish Revival tilework on the Nomar Theater on North Market. Asian influences also were subtly incorporated.

“After you see what our dream is for the 21st Street area, anyone who wants to step up and help out is welcome. “ Ron Cruz, president of the 21st Street Business Association. “It’s up to the community to come together and make it happen.”

If public response to the Nomar proposal is positive the planning group will present it to the City Council in November or December, city planners said.

While local businesspeople generally praised the plan, one neighborhood resident worried that the redevelopment focused too heavily on businesses interests.

Lewis, Hernandez, a youth boxing coach, said he’s already having troubles finding space for a gym in the neighborhood.

“I don’t see where this will help kids,” he said. “They’re just pushing the community to the outskirts to make their money.”

Hernandez aired his complaints to Carlos Contreras, a member of a nonprofit board that serves as a resource for community development in the neighborhood.

Conteras said the city is aware of the neighborhood’s concerns.