Construction has officially began on the Wichita RAD Redevelopment Project. Our RED team, in addition to our architectural partners at JMAC Architects, and the Wichita Housing Authority (WHA) joined the City of Wichita for the official Groundbreaking Ceremony on the site. To conclude the ceremony, KBK Enterprises received a Proclamation from The City of Wichita, Kansas for the “Rental Assistance Demonstration Rehabilitation Kick Off”.
In early 2018, KBK Enterprises was awarded the opportunity to work with the Wichita Housing Authority (WHA) on the renovation of four WHA asset management projects. As the Development Partner, KBK Enterprises has worked with the WHA to finance, design, and oversee the renovation work at Greenway & McLean Manors, Rosa Gragg/Bernice Hutcherson senior units, as well as hundreds of scattered single-family homes across Wichita. In total, 578 units of public housing will be updated as a part of this initiative.
KBK Foundation Involvement:
Part of the mission of KBK Enterprises is to strengthen human capital by providing employment and contracting opportunities for all residents who have been or will be impacted by redevelopment in their community. KBK Enterprises is partnering with nonprofit organization, KBK Foundation and plan to work with several community organizations to focus on individuals who have been underrepresented in the socio-economic landscape of the city, and individuals who have, for various reasons, exited the conventional processes of matriculating into the workforce and need a system by which to re-enter. Through job readiness programs, strategic partnerships aligned in social responsibility, and focused monitoring on job placement, KBK Enterprises’ and KBK Foundation’s workforce development initiatives and local contracting program aids individuals in becoming more economically self-sufficient thereby strengthening communities.
MWBE & Section 3
In accordance with its mission of “going beyond bricks and sticks”, KBK Foundation is committed to expanding the economic development impact of this project to the surrounding businesses and positively impacting the residents of the Wichita community through engagement and partnership. The goal is to equip local businesses with the tools and opportunities by which to grow their businesses.
Consistent with the Minorities and Women- Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) goals of WHA, KBK Enterprises has developed an action plan for the engagement and utilization of MWBE firms and Section 3 workers in Wichita. With a goal at least 33% of the total project value be awarded to MWBE firms, and at least 33% of all new hires on the project must qualify as a Section 3 resident based on WHA poverty guidelines.
We are excited to be a part of the community and thrilled to be a part of the positive changes happening in Wichita, Kansas.
Media coverage: https://www.ksn.com/news/its-been-a-long-time-coming-city-breaks-ground-on-senior-housing-complex/