One of the most highly-anticipated projects in Wichita's history has hit its latest landmark moment.
A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony took place Wednesday for the $300-million downtown Wichita Biomedical Campus at the southeast corner of Broadway and William.
"We're here today to break ground on something truly remarkable for the city of Wichita and the state of Kansas," said Wichita State University president Rick Muma, the driving visionary behind the campus. "In that light, today marks a pivotal moment in our history. This groundbreaking represents more than just the construction of a building. It symbolizes a commitment to innovation, collaboration and the future of our health care in our community."
The collaborative effort from WSU, KU School of Medicine-Wichita and WSU Tech is set to transform a large portion of the city's core, projected to bring about 3,000 students and 200 faculty and staff to the campus.
Construction on Phase 1 — an eight-story, 350,000 square-foot building that will rise up from what is currently a parking lot — is set to ramp up by early June and wrap by the close of 2026. The first students are expected to arrive in spring 2027.
In front a crowd of well over 100 people, several state and local dignitaries spoke of what they see as the facility's long-term potential.
"This campus will revolutionize health-care education and put Wichita on the map as a hub for health care and groundbreaking scientific research," Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said. "Being close to existing hospitals and health-care providers will create countless opportunities for nurses, physicians, physician assistants and medical students to collaborate, learn together and form new partnerships in the health space. That means better health outcomes for everyday Kansans."
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Driven largely by financial commitments from the Kansas Legislature and governor, $205 million in state funding has been secured for the project.
Kelly called it "a great example of what can be accomplished when leaders are willing to put aside political differences and work together for something that benefits our entire state."
Plans call for Wichita State and WSU Tech to share the first four stories of the first-phase tower, while KU will utilize the top three stories for its classrooms, offices and work spaces. The fifth story is set to be a shared simulation floor.
Hutton, a Wichita design-build firm, and JE Dunn — headquartered in Kansas City, with offices in Wichita and throughout the country — have formed a joint venture to serve as construction managers for the Phase 1 build. Kansas City, Mo.-based Helix Architecture + Design and CO Architects, based in Los Angeles, are partnering on the design.
University of Kansas chancellor Douglas Girod credited Muma for the "big, audacious idea" behind the project and noted the opportunities it presents.
"It's certainly our hope and plan that, as we build out this incredible facility, it actually gives us the ability to expand further," Girod said.
Campus phases are planned for 214 S. Topeka, just to the east of the first phase. That's where the Wichita Transit Center — which is set to move to the Delano District — is currently located.
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Multiple speakers highlighted the impact the Wichita Biomedical Campus is expected to have on the health care workforce, and the wider economic impact it can have on the city.
"This will also help us retain and attract talent from all across the country," mayor Lily Wu said. "I can't wait to see what this site becomes and all it will bring to our community."
With Sedgwick County set to construct a new COMCARE building on the doorstep of the campus, Board of County Commissioners chair Ryan Baty also highlighted the campus' expected ability to create a needed talent pipeline in the region.
"This fingerprint, particularly on the behavioral health ecosystem, will pave the way for better health outcomes, as we produce more nurses and doctors, social workers and psychologists and psychiatrists," he said. "They will be needed more now than ever, and this community is answering the call."
The campus has already been spurring real estate activity in the city's core.
That's included plans from Schellenberg Development Co. and Crain Development to revitalize the nearby Petroleum Building, Kress Energy Center and McClellan Hotel Building (also known as the O'Rourke Title Building).
Echoing a theme from local leaders, Kelly said more private sector development can be anticipated.
"As we've seen in other places where cutting-edge facilities like this have been built, this campus will likely entice additional business development, including other biomedical companies and facilities to call Wichita home," she said.
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