Century II and Convention Facilities

Aerial view of a city at sunset featuring a large round building with a blue roof near a river and multiple bridges.

This portion of the Wichita Forward proposal includes two coordinated but distinct investments:

Modernizing and preserving Century II as a community-focused facility
Expanding Bob Brown Expo Hall to align with market demand and current industry standards for convention facilities

Together, these investments are designed to protect existing assets, improve functionality, and support Wichita’s visitor economy.

View of downtown Wichita skyline at sunset with a river and park in the foreground and a large domed building with a blue roof.

Century II Improvements

Century II would be modernized and preserved as a purpose-built community event space that supports public events, trade shows, local meetings, youth arts and sports. These improvements focus on preservation, safety, and functionality.

Planned improvements include:

Modernizing public-facing areas, including lobbies, lighting, signage, restrooms, and exterior public spaces
Refreshing existing convention and exhibition halls for more flexible community use
Aligning support spaces and operations with the expanded Bob Brown Expo Hall to better integrate facilities
Evaluating and addressing building systems consistent with the City’s Capital Improvement Plan

Bob Brown Expo Hall Expansion

To meet Wichita’s need for convention facilities that align with market demand, the proposal includes reinvestment in Bob Brown Expo Hall to improve capacity, flexibility, and operational efficiency.

Planned improvements include:

Expanded exhibition space, along with additional ballroom and meeting rooms, to align with market needs
Upgrades to core building systems, technology, and infrastructure required for a modern convention facility
Renovation and improved integration of existing meeting rooms connected to the Hyatt Hotel
Reorganization of back-of-house operations, including loading and circulation, to improve efficiency
Expanded kitchen and food-and-beverage capacity to support higher-quality service and increased revenue
Alignment of support spaces and operations with modernized Century II facilities for better integration

Funding

Approximately $25M is allocated for Century II improvements. Sales tax funding is in addition to the $12.6 million already identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Plan for the facility over the next 10 years.
$225M is allocated for the expansion of Bob Brown Expo Hall to align the facility with industry-standard convention requirements.

Why it matters

Century II and Bob Brown Expo Hall play important roles in Wichita’s civic, cultural and economic life. They host performances, community events, conventions, and visitors who in turn support local businesses.

Targeted reinvestment helps:

Address critical maintenance and operational needs
Improve safety, usability, and flexibility
Support tourism and visitor spending
Avoid higher repair and replacement costs in the future

Key facts

The proposal aligns with the City’s existing Capital Improvement Plan (CIP).
Investments focus on deferred maintenance, modernization, and right-sizing, extending the useful life of current facilities.
Design and scope decisions will include public input and require formal City Council approval, ensuring accountability and community involvement throughout the process.