WICHITA, Kansas, May 14, 2008 – It’s been a landmark for decades, but the Wichita Boathouse now sits empty and dilapidated.

The city shut down the boathouse to make way WaterWalk construction several years ago and still there is no plan of when it will be re-opened or what it will become.     

Back in its day, the Wichita Boathouse sat pristine on the banks of the Arkansas River with Bill Koch’s America’s Cup-winning boat resting proudly.

It was a first class Wichita landmark that today is no more. Years after the city shut down the boathouse the facility is now weathered and run-down. The landmark is littered with graffiti, rotting wood and broken windows. Bill Koch’s boat sits with cracked paint and vandalism.

“This isn't what Bill Koch envisioned when he gave it to the city of Wichita,” said Buch Goodman, who is working to save the boathouse.

Goodman says his friend, Bill Koch, donated millions to renovate the boat house and since that time, Goodman says the city has let the boathouse go, especially since the start of WaterWalk.

"This whole thing out here could be a big part of the WaterWalk if the city had figured this out,” Goodman said.

The city had talked about demolishing the building to make way for WaterWalk, but decided not to after hearing protests.

It was an idea that drew fire from Bill Koch who in a letter said, “We invested millions of dollars to give the city of Wichita; a lift that no other city in the world possessed…the city did not maximize the potential.”

Goodman says that potential is endless. He says there are dozens of restaurant owners who have expressed interest in remodeling the building into a restaurant.

Goodman wonders how long the city will ignore those ideas; instead choosing to let the boathouse sink.

"It's a disgrace,” Goodman said. “It's disrespectful that's the bottom line. It's disrespectful to Bill Koch."   

Goodman will meet with the city to determine the future of the boathouse with the goal of keeping this landmark around for many years to come. 

KSN did attempt to contact Mayor Carl Brewer and council member Lavota Williams for comment, but was unable to reach them.