Reagan’s name going on former IRS building

Sedgwick County commissioners decided to name the former IRS building in downtown Wichita after former President Ronald Reagan.

The county-owned structure at 271 W. Third St. will house several joint city-county departments. It had been called the 271 building after the county bought it in 2014.

“President Reagan’s leadership and core values represent the ideals of the United States, the state of Kansas and Sedgwick County,” according to the county’s resolution that was approved at a Tuesday night commission meeting.

Commissioner Karl Peterjohn, who regularly speaks about American history at commission meetings, called it an honor and privilege to read the resolution aloud.

“This effort … is one that I think is long overdue in recognition of one of the truly great American presidents of the 20th century,” Peterjohn said.

Retired Air Force Col. David Dennis also praised Reagan, saying he served on a nuclear missile complex when Reagan was shot during his presidency.

“I have the highest respect for Ronald Reagan,” said Dennis, who defeated Peterjohn in the Republican primary last month. “He won the Cold War without ever firing a shot.”

Commission Chairman Jim Howell said Reagan changed the world through his leadership.

“The world is freer and we have a better life today because of President Ronald Reagan,” Howell said.

Commissioner Tim Norton, the board’s lone Democrat, said he admired all U.S. presidents for “just serving our country under so many difficult conditions.”

But Norton said the commission should get public input on naming buildings in the future. He also said commissioners should be open-minded to honoring people regardless of their “side of the aisle.”

“Politics change. The people in charge change. Ideals change,” Norton said. “I would hope that we always stay open-minded enough that we can honor great service, regardless of where it comes from.”

The Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Metropolitan Area Planning Department and the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department will be housed in the Ronald Reagan Building.

County manager Michael Scholes said he wanted an official name adopted by the Oct. 11 ribbon cutting.

This story was originally published September 13, 2016 at 9:46 PM with the headline "Reagan’s name going on former IRS building."