Renovations designed to streamline services for residents doing business at Wichita’s City Hall are complete, according to a news release from the city.
Changes include:
A new information desk to greet visitors right after they pass though security as well as a meeting space on the first floor. This private meeting room allows staff to meet with visitors on the first floor so they don’t have to talk in public.
A new Public Works & Utilities window allows residents to update water account information such as spouse, phone number and mailing address, get answers to account questions, start, stop, transfer or reconnect water services and establish payment arrangements. It also provides printed account forms for those that do not have access to the internet.
A new Housing and Community Services window gives residents the opportunity to apply for housing, submit documents, check the status of an application and get answers to general questions about housing services. There’s also a kiosk that allows you the ability to apply for housing and check the status of an application. The kiosk is a one-stop community resource center that allows you to apply for unemployment benefits, child support, Social Security, Kansas Legal Aid services, United Way and the IRS.
When City Hall reopened after the COVID-19 shutdown, services were temporary located on the first floor to minimize the spread of the virus. According to the news release, the change proved to be beneficial for visitors and staff alike. Staff decided to make the changes permanent and a remodel was needed in order to optimize the visitor experience.
A video of the renovations may be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRzapJFAEyo.