Century II is getting some upgrades. The Wichita City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to spend $250,000 to install a new a heating, ventilation and air conditioning rooftop unit on Expo Hall, replace hot and cold water circulation pumps through the building, and fix other mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural problems. The repairs — which are paid for using transient guest tax, or hotel “bed tax” funds — are part of maintenance backlog at the Century II complex. The city has earmarked $250,000 annually for the next 10 years to tackle the projects.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

The Wichita Historic Preservation Board on Monday nominated the Century II Performing Arts building for state and national historic status, despite separate requests to delay the decision from the city manager and from local business interests that want to tear down and replace it. The board also nominated the former Central Wichita Public Library building for historic status, which could serve as a roadblock to tearing down the buildings and allow them to receive state and federal preservation grants. The action came three days after activists seeking to save the round, blue-roofed structure from demolition presented more than 17,000 signatures on an initiative petition that could force a public vote on the fate of the Century II and the nearby former library.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)

Wichita hospitals could hit their capacities this month as the number of COVID-19 patients surge, the mayor said Monday. Mayor Brandon Whipple’s warning comes as the Sedgwick County Health Department reports that “both hospitals,” presumably Wesley Healthcare and Ascension Via Christi, are converting rooms to intensive care units. But that action reduces the capacity for other patients.
(Read more: Local News | Wichita Eagle)