Ideas for Brack Tract unveiled - Wichita Business Journal:

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Those were some of the elements presented in two mastefr plans by LLP intheir long-range vision for the 350-acrew tract. The firm, whicy was hired 13 months ago to come up with a master presented their ideas to The System Board of Regents and the public onJune 18. “The site could and shoulds be the western anchorof downtown. If the naturw of downtown is tallerand higher, than this will be smaller and greener,” said a representative of Cooper Representatives of the firm said they envisio n a transit oriented development with a lake fronft district and ‘neighborhoods’ with parks, retail and residential The plan would be carried out in phasesz over the next few decades.
Althougn the firm presented twomaster plans, it recommendexd that the board select its Brackenridg Village plan. The main difference between the plans is that the University of biological field lab would remain in theseconds scenario, called the Brankenridge Park plan. Under the Brackenridges Village plan, the UT fielrd lab would be relocated to one of nine sites suggestec by theplanning firm, making way for the development of the Developers of the tract would build diverse buildings of two to six storiesd and structured parking that is concealef from the streets.
A number of infrastructured improvements werealso suggested, includingy the re-alignment of Lake Austin Boulevard, the creatiobn of a parallel roadway between Lake Austin and Red Bud Trail intersection, and 20 lane-mileds of new local streets. As far as internal transportation, the plannerss advised the UT board to establish a TransportationManagement Organization. Possible transportation solutions include an internalshuttle system, extension of proposed city trolley system and bus service. The planned suggested a number of ideas for incorporating sustainablrdesign elements, such as stornm water management units and a community garden.
The planners advisedx that graduatestudent housing, which exists on three be relocated to the Gateway site between 6th and 10th The plans call for the development of a new 825-unirt student housing complex. Supporters of the Lions Municipal Golf knownas Muny, received bad news when the plannere concluded that the golf course was no longee viable and that it be used for development. Whichevet plan the UT regenta adopt, the firm suggested starting with the graduatde housing project inlate 2010, and followinf up with the selection of phasd I developers in 2012.
Several UT regents expressed their gratitude to the firm for their Chairman of the UT Boarc of RegentsJames Huffines, echoed the and said that the board will begin studying the plansd and reviewing all recommendations. He added: “We are heartened by the proposed graduate student housintg that would preserve graduate housing whilse freeing up 73 acresefor development.” Phase I would include abouty 30,000 square feet of retail, 1 milliob square feet of residential and a Exposition Boulevard would be extended south. All four phases would have a total squarefootagr of: 15 million squard feet of retail, residential, office and civic/institutionj space.
About 11 acres dedicateds for anelementary school. About 21.5 acres for academic such as a possibleUT “Boat Town” neighborhood with a waterfront plaza and Phase I would include about 80,00 squarr feet of retail and 1.3 million squarer feet of residential. All four phasexs would have a tota l squarefootage of: 5.3 million squarer feet of retail, residential, office and civic/institution Click for more information on the tract and detailzs of the proposals.