Century II committee: Iconic building ‘past its useful life’

One of downtown Wichita’s most iconic buildings was described Friday as a crumbling, leaky and obsolete structure.

That was the general sentiment expressed during a Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center citizens steering committee meeting at the downtown facility.

“I speak for myself, but I think we’ve all felt that it has to be now,” said Mary Beth Jarvis, the committee’s chairwoman. “If you don’t change for the future now, when does your future start?”

During the hour-long lunchtime meeting, committee members seemed to agree that Century II has long since outlived its usefulness as a top-tier performance arts space. The committee is expected to present its recommendations to Mayor Jeff Longwell and the City Council later this year.

(Read more: Wichita Business Journal)