Downtown Wichita street closed for more than a month slated to reopen

A block of Waco Avenue in downtown Wichita that’s been closed for more than a month is slated to open later this week.

The skywalk at Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview was damaged by storms and wind, causing the street below to be closed since Oct. 29 while repairs were underway, according to a report from the Metropolitan Area Building and Construction Department, or MABCD.

The road is scheduled to reopen Friday.

“The structure itself has not been damaged, but until repairs can be made, there is risk that the glass panes of the facade could fall,” the MABCD report from Oct. 29 says, adding to “prevent potential injury” the skywalk and Waco Avenue between First and Douglas would be closed.

Officials from the hotel did not return multiple calls from The Eagle.

The report says structural engineers were working to secure the facade and create a repair plan.

“This plan includes temporary repairs, that once completed, will allow reopening of the skywalk and roadway until permanent repairs can be made,” the report says.

The building at 400 W. Douglas went up in 1922. The skywalk was added in 2011.