Public can walk to improve downtown

Leaders hope to draw about 100 people today and Saturday for strolls around downtown, an exercise designed to engage the public in determining what makes the streets walkable.

About half that many have registered for the event, Jeff Fluhr, president of the Wichita Downtown Development Corp., said Thursday.

"I'm pleased with the response," Fluhr said. "We'll have more with walk-ups, and that's OK."

Goody Clancy, the consultant group leading the downtown revitalization master plan, sought the public's input.

To get that, the group scheduled "walk-shops" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Both start at 523 E. Douglas with presentations before the consultants dispatch people throughout downtown to observe and photograph the things they like and don't like.

A "walk-shop talk" will be held at the same address from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. At that time, participants will have a chance to share their photographs and take part in breakout sessions to discuss issues that would make downtown more walkable.

Photographs that walkers took on the first day will also be on display 5:30 to 7:30 tonight at 523 E. Douglas.

"It's a unique experience that people can have," Fluhr said.

For more information, go to wichitawalkshop.org.

This story was originally published December 4, 2009 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Public can walk to improve downtown."