Thursday, March 5, 2009

In the 1960s, it was the place to shop, hang out and grab a bite to eat. Today, there is hope that the KenMar Center at 13th & Oliver will be that way once again. Groundbreaking took place today to redevelop what may have been Wichita’s original strip mall.

First District Councilwoman Levante Williams has been looking forward to the groundbreaking for a long time. She and Mayor Carl Brewer grew up near the shopping center in the days when it was a bustling center of commerce.

“It’s a day of rebirth, renewal and restoration,” Williams said.

Councilwoman Williams says the old KenMar Center will be a busy shopping area once again. When complete, it will become Providence Square Shopping Center. The pastor of a local church is the developer.

“I had a passion to rebuild, repair and revitalize this shopping center. In 2007 that vision began to take shape,” Kevass Harding said.

The project is expected to pump over $8 million in economic development into the area.

The new tenants for the shopping center have not yet been disclosed, though there will also be a new police substation within.