10 February 2006

INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE SURVEYS LAUNCH TO GAIN PERSPECTIVE FROM VARIETY OF SOURCES

WICHITA, Kan. — Research efforts are well underway for the proposed International Marketplace District, a development project outlined in the 21st Street North Corridor Revitalization Plan. The outreach process is three tiered, garnering input from the community itself, the broader Wichita community and potential visitors.

Printed surveys, available in English, Spanish and Vietnamese, are being distributed throughout the study area. The surveys were mailed to addresses within the district area on February 8. The following locations will distribute extra surveys and collect completed surveys:

• Thai Binh Market, 1530 W. 21st
• Evergreen Community Center, 2700 N. Woodland
• Evergreen Library, 2601 N. Arkansas

Completed surveys will also be collected at the next El Pueblo neighborhood meeting, 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 14 at Evergreen Library. Surveys should be turned in to these locations no later than Friday, March 3.

An online survey has been posted concurrently for city and statewide participation. The link is posted on the City of Wichita’s web site. A number of organizations, including the Greater Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau and Wichita State University’s Self-Help Network, are distributing the link to various audiences and encouraging participation.

Results of the surveys will be presented at the El Pueblo neighborhood meeting, 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 14 at Evergreen Library.

The International Marketplace District, focused around a proposed indoor “mercado,” or public market, will be centered at 21st Street North and Market Street. Initial efforts will focus along the culturally diverse retail corridor along 21st Street North from Broadway west to the Thai Bin Asian Market at Somerset and along the stretch of Broadway that runs from 20th Street North to 22nd Street North. Sixteen percent of the district’s residents are foreign born, compared to 5 percent for the State of Kansas.