The Wichita City Council voted Tuesday to go out for bids from private management companies to take over operations at the Century II Convention Center.

Assistant City Manager Donte Martin told the council that the convention, tourism and event industry has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and Century II had a number of events that were cancelled last year.   He said the expertise of a private operator would help in marketing the facility, right-sizing operations for the future and reduce operating deficits for the facility.    He said a Request for Proposal would go out in about a week and a committee would review the bids that are received.  The committee would have a recommendation for the City Council in May or June.

Martin said the city would maintain ownership of Century II and the private operator will have to honor current contracts with the tenants and organizations that use the facility.

The city council also approved a budget of $2 million to operate Century II this year, and city staff will continue to operate the facility while the city looks for a private management firm.

Celeste Racette with the citizens group Save Century II spoke against privatization, and she said she fears that private management would result in a run-down facility that becomes inaccessible, and there will be harm to all of the public groups that Century II was created for.   She said the building is Wichita’s history, voted on and paid for by the city’s taxpayers.  She said it and the former downtown library deserved to be renovated and preserved for future generations to enjoy.

The council voted 5-1, with Mayor Brandon Whipple voting no, to approve the release of an RFP to look for private management.