SUBJECT: Public Notice Letter for WSU SMART Facility Proposal
Wichita State University
1845 Fairmount St.
Wichita, Kansas 67207
Public Notice
The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) is considering a request for Federal assistance from Wichita State University (WSU) to construct a Smart Manufacturing and Applied Research Training (SMART) facility in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other relevant Federal and State laws, EDA is assessing the potential of the proposed project to affect the environment and/or historic properties. This letter serves as public notice to all interested agencies, groups, and individuals.
The proposed project is the construction of a new facility for Smart Manufacturing and Applied Research Training (SMART) facility at the Wichita State University (WSU) Innovation Campus. This new 85,000 square foot shared research facility will be located on the WSU Innovation Campus to take advantage of proximity to students and researchers, as well as existing parking and utility infrastructure. It will provide shared research labs in robotics, automation, composites, and more.
The project is at the main Wichita State University (WSU) campus located at, 1845 Fairmount St., in Wichita, Sedgwick County Kansas, approximately 3.15 miles northeast of downtown Wichita, within the NE ¼ of Section 11, Township 27 South, Range 1 East. [Lat. 37.718274, Long. -97.286031].
If you have any information regarding potential impacts to historic properties or environmental resources including wetlands or floodplains associated with this proposed project, please provide it in writing to:
Jenny Benz, Regional Environmental Officer, Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, jbenz@eda.gov
or
Crystal Stegeman, Wichita State University, crystal.stegeman@wichita.edu
Comments received in the EDA Regional Office by 5:00 pm central on August 12, 2022 will be considered. A copy of the NEPA decisional document will be available upon request at the above EDA Regional Office.