Died: August 26, 2004

Interred: 

The following is a timeline of accomplishments achieved by former City Manager Chris Cherches during his service to the Wichita community.

• October 7, 1985 - Chris Cherches first day at City Hall.

• 1986 - Long range planning task force developed and WI/SE economic development partnership is established.

• 1988 - Redevelopment program for 21st Street corridor begins and includes several projects for improvements such as street improvements, a bank at 21st & Grove, senior center, Piatt Manor Housing Project and a new Police sub-station and library.

• 1989 - K-96 (previously known as the Northeast Expressway) construction begins

• Spring 1990 - Contamination was discovered in the downtown area that posed risk to public health and environment.

• Fall 1990 - Over 500 people attend a town hall meeting to hear the problem known as the Gilbert & Mosley site. At this event, the City Manager unveils a possible solution through a 5-point program that included the development a unique tax-increment financing district to avoid SuperFund intervention. Today the Gilbert & Mosley Project is considered to be one of the most innovative public-private partnerships ever created to address a complex environmental problem of groundwater contamination. The City of Wichita received the prestigious Ford Foundation's Innovations in State and Local Government Award from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government for its forward-thinking leadership and its will to create revolutionary practices to accomplish community goals.

• 1991 - Kellogg construction begins between K-42 & Kellogg

• 1991 - Old Town development (a public-private partnership) begins and includes street improvements to Mosley and Rock Island from Douglas to First Street. Public funding was set up through a tax increment district (only the second one in the State of Kansas). In addition, an innovative parking district was established that created free public parking. The first phase included the construction of five parking lots.

• 1992 - Kellogg "flyover" completed downtown; begins between Sycamore & Emporia Streets

• 1993 - Received "All America City" Award for the second time

• 1993 - The Neighborhood Initiative was established to address crime and involve neighborhoods in residential issues. Community Policing, an award winning concept, was developed from this forward-thinking planning.

• August 1993 - Phase two of Old Town began and included converting a former warehouse into the Farm & Art Market and Plaza area, additional street and parking improvements. Incremental development to Old Town continued through the 90s that includes an area of about 33 acres extending from Douglas on the south to Second Street on the north and from Washington on the east to the elevated railroad tracks on the west.

• 1993 - Kellogg construction between K-42 & Kellogg completed

• 1993 - K-96 completed (note that a portion of the 1-cent sales tax was used for this highway)

• Spring 1994 - Kellogg construction begins between Kellogg & Dugan (west Kellogg)

• July 1994 - State Office Building opens

• Spring 1996 - Hyatt construction begins

• Fall 1996 - Kellogg & Dugan completed

• September 1996 - Ice Sports Wichita opens, complete with the only Olympic-sized skating rink in the Midwest.

• April 1997 - City of Wichita buys the Eaton Block at a Sheriff’s Auction

• Spring 1997 - Kellogg & Oliver construction begins

• September 1997 - Hyatt Regency Wichita opens

• November 17, 1997 - Cessna Training Center opens on 21st Street (President Bill Clinton attends the event)

• 1998 - Hotel at Old Town completed where City and private developers salvaged the historic Keen Kutter building and converted it into a first-class hotel.

• 1999 - Received "All America City " Award for the third time

• September 21, 1999 - Transit Operations Center Opens

• April 1, 2000 - Exploration Place Opens

• 2000 - Kellogg & Oliver construction completed

• December 31, 2000 - Eaton Place Redevelopment Completed

• May 2000 - Establishment of District Advisory Board to promote citizen participation in city government.

• September 29, 2001 - Neighborhood City Halls Opened (all four opened the same time)

• October 2001 - Douglas Streetscape Project Completed

• February 5, 2002 - signed a development agreement for a public-private partnership to expand Old Town to the north by 7 acres. This $25 million dollar project includes a 500-car parking garage and anchors the Old Town Warren Theatre and City Arts.

• February 28, 2002 - AirTran Airways arrive at Mid-Continent, bringing affordable airfare to Wichita

• March 2002 - Improvements to Lawrence Dumont Stadium completed

• June 2002 - Kellogg & Tyler/Maize Road begins (scheduled completion November 2004)

• September 10, 2002 - signed a development agreement for a public-private partnership to develop 27 acres of Wichita’s downtown. This 100 million dollar project, called WaterWalk features water amenities in a mixed-use development. Tenants are expected to begin moving into the development in 2007.

• October 16, 2002 - Water Center Officially opens

• January 2003 - Kellogg & Woodlawn construction begins (scheduled completion in November 2005)

• November 7, 2003 - City Manager Chris Cherches resigns. His last day was Dec. 31, 2003.

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