Bank May Take Crossroads Location Once Slated for Dog Oasis

By Kevin Collison

A Wichita bank is considering a full service location in the Crossroads District at 100 E. 20th St., apparently replacing an earlier development concept that had included a dog care business and other retail.

Emprise Bank is the potential tenant for the building that had been part of a proposed development called Village Square by Vince Bryant of 3D Development.

The Emprise redevelopment proposal is scheduled to be introduced to the Planned Industrial Expansion Authority board this week. The board is being asked to approve a blight study, the first step toward pursuing tax incentives for a renovation plan.

Bryant and officials at Emprise could not be reached immediately for comment.

Developer Vince Bryant had planned to convert the building at 20th and Walnut now considered for a bank into a new, expanded home for Citydogs along with a café and office space.

Emprise currently operates a commercial lending and wealth management office in the Crossroads at 1901 Baltimore.

The Emprise proposal before the PIEA board calls for the new bank facility to be located in the 21,000 square-foot brick building on East 20th Street. The building’s last tenant was Farm to Market bread.

Two years ago, Bryant floated a plan that called for converting the half-block on the east side of Walnut from 19th to 20th streets into a development that included an expanded space for Citydogs and adding office space and retail.

In addition to the new home for Citydogs, which is currently located across the street, the previous proposal included a dog park that would have included four, outdoor grill kitchens.

An employee at Citydogs said the owners are now considering another building for expansion.

Bryant has several other proposals in varying stages of development including the renovation of the former Kansas City Star building into offices; the Pennway Point entertainment district, and the Freighthouse District apartment and office project.