Wichita City Council members want to allow more time for public input on a project to redevelop a former refinery site on the city’s north side.
A development group plans new construction on the site of the former El Paso Refinery at 21st Street North and I-135. Mark Elder with the city’s economic development office said the project will include warehouse space, industrial and advanced manufacturing uses, transit facilities and possibly office space. The project will cover 115 acres and there will be requirements for dealing with soil contamination, as well as the placement of wells and monitors. The city may have to make improvements on 21st Street that could include new traffic signals in the area.
The project, called ict21, will be done in three phases, and the council began a public hearing Tuesday on Phase 1. The project would set up a tax increment financing district that would use increases in property tax revenues to pay for certain costs with the property.
Council members voted to continue a public hearing until their February 15th meeting to allow more time for public input on the project.
