Wichita City Council OKs additional $90,000 for interchange project

The Wichita City Council approved without comment Tuesday an extra $90,000 for utility work on the K-96 interchange at Greenwich, the final step in getting visitors to retail and sports attractions there.

The city added $90,000 from its water mains replacement or relocation program for the utility work. That brings the city contribution to the intersection project to $3.59 million, including $1.5 million from a community improvement district established for Cabela’s and $2 million in city capital improvement money.

The existing interchange includes a westbound entrance ramp and an eastbound exit ramp on K-96. The proposed improvements include adding a westbound exit ramp and an eastbound entrance ramp, along with traffic signals at the ramps.

Greenwich also will be modified between 21st and 27th streets north to provide dual left and right turn lanes and the extension of medians. The city’s $90,000 contribution will allow for relocation and improvement of existing waterlines and other utilities. Work should begin in January, city officials said.

The council’s action is the latest change from the original GoodSports project plan, approved last year, that included $7.5 million in sales tax and revenue bond money for the interchange. The state approved $3.8 million for the interchange project in early June.

The GoodSports project will be anchored by a fieldhouse, a 65,000-square-foot multisport athletics facility targeting regional and national tournaments. Developers say it will include 12 full-size basketball courts or 24 volleyball courts and can house team sports competitions for basketball, volleyball, indoor soccer, wrestling and cheerleading. The fieldhouse is projected to draw 300,000 visitors a year.

This story was originally published December 10, 2013 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Wichita City Council OKs additional $90,000 for interchange project."