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Wichita's Union Station Redevelopment To Enter Phase Two

Sean Sandefur
/
KMUW/File photo
Wichita Union Station's courtyard has been renovated and will soon host food vendors, events and concerts. Occidental Management hopes to start on the inside of the 100-year-old building within a year

After celebrating its 100th anniversary two years ago by sitting vacant and in rough shape, Wichita’s historic Union Station, as well as the the train depot and two story building sitting next to it, have been brought back to life.

There are now several tenants, from restaurants to insurance offices. 

Credit Sean Sandefur
The brick train depot that sits to next to Wichita's Union Station has been renovated and now holds a Smoothie King franchise and an Indian restaurant.

Chad Stafford, president of Occidental Management, the company developing the property, says the first phase concentrated on the two-story Grand and Patrick Building along Douglas, the adjacent brick train depot, and the exterior courtyard.

“It’s very satisfying [to have them complete]. We think that the project turned out terrific," Stafford says. "Our tenants love it down there. So we’re really excited to be wrapping this up now and we’re getting ready to do the next piece."

They’re now turning their sights to Union Station itself for the next phase of the revitalization. They hope to secure leases for tenants over the next year before doing a full renovation.

Stafford says there are already food stalls outside of the building where concerts and other events will soon take place. Stafford describes them as "permanent food trucks."