Look for Wichita’s public works projects to have more artistic flair in the future

Wichita’s city projects could get a little more artsy in 2020.

The City Council recently approved setting aside $10.6 million in the next decade for public art, adding $2.6 million. That represents 2% of capital improvement projects during the next 10 years.

The money will allow for beautification of fire and police stations, installations at parks and other aesthetic elements that can make the city look more attractive.

Local arts advocate Anthony Joiner told the City Council last week that the decision is important because art brings people together.

“Art isn’t just something that makes the city pretty. It’s also something that helps us bring in youth. It’s something that helps us come together,” Joiner said.

“I can say that at several different events I’ve gone to, I’ve been the only black person in the room. But when I throw an art event, that changes,” he said.

City Council member Brandon Johnson, who voted for the change, pointed to a $3.5 million public works project on 9th Street from I-135 to Hillside. It widened streets, added turning lanes and parking, and installed gutters and sewers.

But it also included painted columns along I-135, a mural plaza, mosaic benches and a mural wall along the sidewalk. It was a collaborative project that brought together artists and volunteers to an area that has been largely ignored by the city for generations.

“When you look at how the community was impacted, it wasn’t just a street and a bike lane. When you saw art, you saw cultural art. You saw people who had lived in the area for 30 and 40 years in tears because there was something there for them that they felt a connection to and it was powerful,” Johnson said.

Besides dedicating 2% of the capital improvement projects budget to art, the Percent for Art Program also gives the city’s Design Council oversight of the $10.6 million expected during the next 10 years.

“It really establishes a process. Processes are good. It allows for checks and balances and ways to review spending,” Johnson said.

But the City Council decision wasn’t without detractors.

David Inkelaar, the president of Wichita’s Fraternal Order of Police, opposed the ordinance on the grounds that the city has higher priorities.

“We have four patrol bureaus that are in dire need of being repaired and replaced,” Inkelaar said.

“I believe this money could be reallocated for better purposes than art,” Inkelaar said. “Prior to creating a permanent funding mechanism for public art, we need to do the same to increase the police department personnel that is required to give the citizens the service they deserve.”

Vice Mayor Jeff Blubaugh echoed Inkelaar’s concerns, pointing to the city’s own budget simulator that ran online over the summer to gauge residents’ priorities.

In the survey, which asked residents to adjust the city’s budget, art ranked almost last at 39 out of 40. Fire and medical response topped the list, and police and emergency response came in second.

Wichita’s violent crime rates were almost triple the national average last year and are more than double the national average this year.

“I just want to find out where our priorities are,” Blubaugh said. “I’m not anti-art. I believe art’s important. But . . . public safety should be our number one initiative, because who wants to go out and look at art if they don’t feel safe,” Blubaugh said.

The other council members supported the additional allocation for arts, with most citing the need to compete with other cities.

“This ordinance will send a message to the nation that Wichita is one of those cities that thinks this is important,” Council member Cindy Claycomb said.

Council member Bryan Frye called the measure “one more tool in our arsenal.”

“Wichita is in a battle for people,” Council member Bryan Frye said. “Talent retention and recruitment is the most critical issue facing our city, as well as the rest of the state. Keeping people here and attracting new residents is necessary to fill our jobs and strengthen our companies. . . . We’ve got to continue to roll out the welcome mat to make Wichita the most inviting place in the country.”

This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 5:01 AM.