Project Initiation
The 3-D group and active members of the neighborhood undertook a good deal of preliminary planning activities in the beginning of 2000. During a series of neighborhood meetings in February and March, the association developed an outline of preliminary SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities & threats).

The planning team conducted a series of meetings/workshops with the Neighborhood Steering Committee. These meetings were intended to reach consensus and confirm critical issues which should be addressed in this plan. The following key issues were outlined in the final workshop in May. These issues include:

• Down zoning and eliminating incompatible land use in the area
• Preserving existing historic homes and other potential structures
• Housing improvements and code enforcement
• Business improvement and diversity in the area
• Infrastructure improvement (streets, sidewalks, drainage and street landscaping)
• More community services and other needed recreational activities.

This neighborhood plan addresses these issues and provides a workable solution requiring the continued involvement of the neighborhood residents, clergy, and business owners; and the City of Wichita. A more detailed list of the SWOT elements and their ranking is described as follows:

Note: This information provided by the 3D as a result of their work, performed prior to the contracting of Law/Kingdon, Inc. for this project. The number indicated at end of every item represents the number of votes received - greatest number is highest ranking.

S.W.O.T.
3D Meeting
Delano Neighborhood Development
Meeting of February 24, 2000

1. Strengths
• River front - 458
• Destination Points (Exploration Place, L-D Stadium, etc.) - 447
• Location - Accessibility - 416
• Historic Homes/ Properties - 398
• Identifiable Business District - Family owned and operated - 351
• Friend’s University presence -337
• Main Thoroughfares -332
• Strong Neighborhood Association -332
• Land Use Diversity (Mixture of Activities, Mini-City) - 329
• Active churches with historic investment in community - 324
• Diversity in Business - 321
• Existing Infrastructure & Mature Trees - 317
• Masonic Home - 307
• Strong Business Association - 307
• Low Crime Rate - 304
• Long Term Residents - Stability - 296
• Small Town Atmosphere - 295
• Active Clergy Association - 290
• Schooling Opportunities (Pre-K through University) -286
• Diversity (Race, Age, Economic) - 266
• Strong Stake Holders (People & Institutions) - 257
• Colorful History of District-steadfast entrepreneurs-historic investment - 238
• Stable Commercial Area - 237
• Good Community Police - 236
• Friendly People - 229
• Senior Center - 220
• Housing Stock is Well Kept - 218
• Good Relationship with the City - 215
• Strong Social Safety Net (DAV, Food Pantries, Church Nurses) - 192
• Teen Center - 187
• Special Care Facilities - 182
• Nearby Hospital - 180
• Trolley and Bus Service - 179
• People at Home During the day (not abandoned)(neighborhood security) - 162
• Strong Financial Status of Friends University - 123
2. Weaknesses
• Disinterested Property Owners (Individuals and Landlord, including Absentee Landlords - 397
• Perception by Developers, Banks etc. that area is not Marketable for Housing & Businesses - 376
• Zoning - 357
• Infrastructure (E.G. Lack of Stop Signs, Neighborhood Parks, Drainage, Road repair, Street Lighting, Old Water & Sewer Lines - 345
• Vacant Lots(Unkept & Large Number of Vacant Lots) - 340
• Poor Housing Stock(Deteriorating) in some Areas -328
• Losing Residential Housing stock - 315
• Poor Reputation & Image - 312
• Litter, Trash & Junk (Cars in Yards, Furniture in Yards, Porches) - 300
• Economic Ability of People to Improve their Situation - 291
• Residents’ Self-Image and Community Spirit; Business Self Image - 290
• Some Businesses in Bad Shape - 285
• Noise from Kellogg - 279
• 51-53% Rentals (Housing Stock) - 276
• Lack of Protection for Historic Structures - 271
• Condition of Public School Buildings - 266
• Lack of Cohesive Aesthetics (Appearances of some Buildings) - 256
• People Moving Out - 254
• Poverty is High (Among Elderly) - 250
• Lack of Riverbank Development - 223
• Lack of Certain Amenities Like Family Restaurants - 211
• A Few Adult Businesses - 192
• Condition of Sidewalks - 191
• Lack of Landscape on Streets - 183
• Trains - 175
• Lack of Shelters/Services for People in Need (E.G. Mental Health, Homelessness) - 164
• Train Sites, Pan Handlers, Public Disturbances - 152
• Lack of Awareness of Need of Family Services - 115
• Overhead Utility lines - 106
• Stray Animals - 57
3. Opportunities
• Residential Renewal & Restoration - 351
• Promotion of Housing - 348
• Re-market Ourselves & Business Opportunities & Thematic Business District - 345
• Down Zoning - 328
• River Front Development - 313
• Development within Neighborhood (Coordinated)
• Exploration Place - 312
• Use Vacant Lots Between Houses - Infill Vacant Lots - 300
• Establish Varity of Affordable & Higher End Housing - 293
• Build On Historic Legacy, Architecture - 284
• High Density Elderly Housing Apts./Condos; Hud Housing - 265
• A Larger Dillons - 229
• Improve Recreations Facilities - 212
• Speciality Businesses - 211
• Naming of a Historic District In Neighborhood (or Whole Neighborhood) - 205
• Medical Clinic w/Minor Emergency, Pharmacy - 205
• Land From Rail Roads (for Development)
• Family Style Restaurant - 188
• Tourist Info Center at/Near Exploration Place - 182
• Increase Commercial Zone - 181
• Landscaping Opportunities - 173
• Major Sports Center (Arena)
• Build Small Parks with Bike Paths - 162
• Businesses for products that People Can Afford
• Spirit of Cooperation; Resources to Accomplish Goals (Hotline) - 156
• Mitigation of Noise From Kellogg
• Surfacing Sand & Brick Streets Fix Streets (e.g. Osage, Mentor) - 154
• Neighborhood Resources Center B Home Repair Training (Friends University Center on Family Living) - 145
• Yearly House Tour; Garden Tours - 140
• Neighborhood Beautification Awards - Continue - 128
• Old Ice Cream Shop Near Exploration Place - 107
• More Teen-Oriented businesses - 89
4. Threats
• Zoning - 259
• Deteriorating Infrastructure - 238
• Major Landlords Not Taking Care of Property - 236
• Loss of Major Businesses; Dillon - 231
• Lack Of Community Spirit & Enthusiasm (Apathy).. Compliancy - 227
• Loss of Fire Station/ Services - 211
• Loss of Police Services/ Increase in Crime - 209
• Urban Sprawl (Trends Scenario) - 203
• Rejection of School Bond
• Encroachment of Light Industry Into Residential Areas - 182
• Lack Of Support From Realtors & Developers - 176
• Population is Growing Older & Poorer - 163
• Speculation by Land Owners - 159
• More Rental Properties - 156
• Loss/Diminishment of The Business Association
• Some People Think Delano Is Anti-Development Progress - 138
• Increases in Interest Rates/Economic Downturn
• Some New Opportunities will Diminish Housing & Displace
People; Also Quality of Life - 131
• Limited Resources - 121
• Loss of C. Bill Gale -117
• Trains - 110
• Loss of Senior Center; Teen Center - 98
• Expansion of University - 60

3D Meeting
Delano Neighborhood Development
Meeting of March 6, 2000

1. Action By:
• Neighborhood (C.B.O.)
• Business - Commercial
• City
• Individual Homeowner/Landlord/Renter
• Developer
2. Strengths: Actions
• Establish covenants that establish historic presence of neighborhood (as with W. Douglas corridor)
• Improve Maple to be a four lane level, well drained, arterial street(Sycamore to Sheridan) - Coordinated w/other improvements
• Develop river front commercial area between Seneca bridge and Douglas bridge(walkways and benches) (possibly as far as Maple)
• Present businesses have first option to locate @ specialty shop area.
• More parking - Meridian - Exploration Place - RR Row - Douglas
• Establish River Trolley or boats along river - between Hyatt/Boathouse and Exploration place and Museums.
• Develop monetary incentives for development.
• If arena is located in Delano, locate S. of Maple between Seneca and Sycamore.
• Provide affordable, varied housing for elderly
• Develop higher density housing immediately west of Exploration Place
• Establish Trolley connection w/destination points, Old Town and Delano Businesses
• Support a quality hotel (area to be determined)
• Enforce existing housing codes
• Develop incentives for housing renovation
• Maximize use of neighborhood improvement programs
• Form a neighborhood improvement - leadership
group

3D Meeting
Delano Neighborhood Development
Meeting of March 9, 2000

3. Weaknesses: Actions
• Attract businesses that support business district
• Seek development of Douglas corridor-like revitalization
• Down zoning is essential
• Streamlining process for all, & developers; perhaps waive permit fees, re-zoning fees, etc.
• Enforce existing codes to keep up housing conditions (see strengths)
• Incentives from City need to be realistic and more wide-spread
• Establish property owners list to be contracted regarding the condition/improvement of their property.
• Buy out bad landlords
• For absentee landlords:
• Encourage improvements of property
• Pressure by Neighborhood Association
• Possible beautification Awards, etc.
• Sweat equity into certain homes
• Promote incentives for 1st time home buyers
• HUD assistance (for 1st time buyers)
• Protect historic housing
• Preserve historical structures by inquiring property owners for information, presenting info, to historical resource board.
• Housing and business structures.
• Encourage schools
• Vote for school board members that will make better use of money spent and citizen involvement/pressure on school board to initiate changes and improvements.
• Support consideration for money assistance/ incentives to repair/replace sidewalks in residential areas.
• Save character homes from areas targeted for demolition and move those homes to vacant lots within neighborhood.
• Start petitions to keep fire station in Delano area.

3D Meeting
Delano Neighborhood Development
Meeting of March 13, 2000

2. Opportunities: Actions
• Prepare a flyer that promotes neighborhood amenities, benefits
• Chamber
• Real Estate Agents
• Businesses
• A Welcome Wagon
• Establish own neighborhood Welcome Wagon
• Produce a neighborhood video
• Do Historic House Tours
• Develop slogan
• Develop Mini-mall for retail & business needs for professions (downtown)
• Develop West Bank Stage area for public use
• Park board
• Amphitheater
• Concerts, plays, A Shakespear in the Park
• Children’s park and carousel
• Establish Mom & Pop, family-style restaurant (not chain)
• Variety of cuisine (ex. Uncle Buds in Nashville)
• Do needed down zoning
• Ensure coordinated development
• Form Homeowners Association
• Contact Dillon’s regarding expansion
• Establish neighborhood security patrols
• Increase amount of space for parks and recreation; incorporate running and bike paths.
• Utilize RR property for neighborhood benefit
• Pursue tourist center(wishbone building) near Exploration Place
• Clean-up alleys & eliminated unwanted vegetation, pot holes
• Retain an environmental consultant to assess noise situation along Kellogg and report to city
• Fix all streets in need: pave sand streets & fix sidewalks
• Children’s park & change carousel.

3D Meeting
Delano Neighborhood Development
Meeting of March 16, 2000

4. Threats: Actions
• Ensure Adequate drainage
• Replace deteriorated water and sewer lines
• More street lights in residential areas
• Upgrade properties
• Keep out or disguise communication towers
• Eliminate substandard and non-compliant homes(mobile or permanent)
• Consider height Limitations for parts of Delano
• Keep fire station in neighborhood and protect historic structures
• Upgrade existing industrial uses to be compatible with neighborhood (aesthetically)
• Keep out gangs, drug dealers and adult entertainment businesses
• Establish a Boy’s Club and a Girls Club in neighborhood and facilities that they can use.