In Historic Midtown sits a recently-emptied building, the once-oldest school operating in Wichita: Park Elementary, usually home to about 200 students, empty of the children and teachers that once walked its halls. The decision to close the school this past May hit Midtown residents hard, many of which are families with children. Now, a second government decision is coming their way: transforming the former elementary school into the city’s multiagency campus and center, often referred to as the MAC – a one-stop resource center that would house supportive low-income housing and a low-barrier homeless shelter. The idea isn’t cemented – yet. The June 6 announcement startled many in a neighborhood that felt all-too ready to share the responsibility of harboring homeless resources with other parts of town. Many hoped that the MAC could land at a former hospital on the other side of the river. In a week’s worth of policy announcements and public meetings, Midtown residents showed up in droves, peppering each room with dozens of questions regarding security, cleanliness and how the neighborhood became the hot spot for homeless services.
Source: KLC Journal
