Sikes Senter Mall redevelopment project moves forward with new renderings
“It’s sad that this mall is being torn down.”
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - The Sikes Senter Mall redevelopment project is moving forward, with new artworks offering a glimpse of what city leaders hope the site could become.
The concept renderings for what Forward Wichita Falls is currently calling the University Town Center project are generating discussion across the community, and reactions have been mixed.
The images show a transformed 60-acre site featuring green space, residential housing, retail development and a new stadium for Midwestern State University.
The renderings were released alongside an updated project page that also includes a proposed timeline and key documents related to the development.
Forward Wichita Falls CEO Moriah Williams said she hopes the new page will help residents better understand the vision for the project.
“Our vision, it aligns perfectly. I mean, I think it’s easy to see. It’s great. It brings new life, new vision. I hope it kind of puts a story to the work we’ve been doing and continues to just educate people,” Williams said.
Several residents said they liked what they saw in the renderings.
“I don’t know, it seems kind of dead around here right now, so I think it’s good for the community,” Cisco Perez said.
“I thought it was a very useful way to use this area when this mall goes,” Travis Ryan said.
“It’s sad that this mall is being torn down, but it looks like it’s going to be a good thing that comes in,” Paula Kelly said.
While many residents liked what they saw in the renderings, several people who declined to appear on camera said they still oppose replacing the current mall some expressed they hate the idea.
Williams said the final look of the development will ultimately be determined by the selected developer.
“Inevitably, the final design is subject to change to the developer. That’ll be up to them. Now, we will be able to hopefully guide them and help make those recommendations, but it will be purely up to them for the final design,” Williams said.
Forward Wichita Falls officials said a final name for the site has not yet been selected, and they hope to give the community a voice in that decision.
Forward Wichita Falls leaders said they hope to select and announce a developer within the next two to three months.
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