Downtown Wichita ground-breaking for the new Biomed Campus

A ground-breaking ceremony took place late Wednesday morning downtown for the new Wichita Biomedical Campus. The campus will be constructed between Broadway & Topeka, south of William Street; it's the former site of the now-demolished Allis Hotel.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and local leaders joined Wichita State and the University of Kansas in the groundbreaking.

The campus, designed by Helix Architecture + Design and CO Architects, will feature an eight-story, 350,000-square-foot building featuring a three-story pavilion, classrooms, labs, student success center, lounges and study spaces, offices, and meeting spaces.

The building will combine WSU’s College of Health Professions and Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic, WSU Tech’s health care program, and Wichita campuses of KU School of Medicine and KU School of Pharmacy in one facility.

“The first phase — expected to open in spring 2027 — will be 355,000 square feet located at the southeast corner of Broadway and William and will include shared spaces for advanced laboratories, technology and simulation rooms for hands-on training,” said Lainie Mazzulo-Hart, the Director of Communication at the Office of Strategic Communications at Wichita State University. “Initially, about 3,000 students and 200 faculty and staff will be housed at the center, with opportunities for growth in existing and new programs. Future phases will be located at 214 S. Topeka (where the Wichita Transit Center, set to move to Delano, is currently located). “

WSU President Rick Muma says the facility will provide benefits to Wichita.

“This will be a major attractor, not just students but also investors and developers. People who really want to reinvest in Wichita and our community particularly in healthcare,” Muma said.