Anderson's vision

Every time a crowd gathers at Century II, Wichita owes a round of applause to leaders such as former City Commissioner and Mayor William D. “Bill” Anderson, who died last week at age 83.

Because the community is so familiar with the saucerlike building with the blue roof, it’s easy to forget that it took eight years, a 57-member advisory committee, a ballot initiative, a $15 million bond issue and the razing of 129 structures to build a downtown convention center to replace the 1911-vintage Forum. Since Century II opened on Jan. 11, 1969, it has served the region through countless performances, expos and meetings, and acted as the locus of continuing downtown revitalization efforts.

Those such as Anderson, a longtime printer and Sedgwick County purchasing manager, are due our thanks for their public service and community vision.

— For the editorial board, Rhonda Holman

This story was originally published June 7, 2011 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Anderson's vision."