Simply put, I don’t like the Koch Brothers. At all.

Their billionaire status is reason enough to be wary, but with their influence in far-right movements, climate change denial and shameless pollution, they have proven themselves to be one of the classic, irredeemable facets of American politics. Arguably, one could even link them to the election of President Donald Trump. 

But now, with Charles getting older and David completely out of the picture, there’s a new Koch in town, and it seems as if he’s trying to reverse the more conservative movements of his other family members.

More specifically, Charles’ son Chase Koch, through his nonprofit, Movement Musick, is trying to revitalize downtown Wichita as a center of music and the performing arts. The planned redevelopment of the vacant Shirkmere Apartments would create a new music venue and affordable housing units.

Generally speaking, ever since he got involved with the family business, Chase seems to be fully intent on steering his family toward a “kinder, gentler libertarianism,” at least according to Politico.

On paper, this investment seems like it would have an overarching positive impact on the community. From what I understand, the Shirkmere Apartments were in need of renovation for a while, and 40 of the 100 planned renovated apartments are exclusively dedicated to affordable housing.

We may already have Intrust Bank Arena, Wave and Century II, but I also see the benefits of building another large music venue downtown. More options for live music are always nice, and the potential is there, for sure.

I, however, can’t help but feel skeptical. First off, there are legitimate concerns about the displacement of homeless people who are currently living around the apartments.

There’s also something to be said about the plight of the former Shirkmere tenants. Admittedly, these evictions weren’t Chase’s fault, since he didn’t originally buy the apartments back in 2022, but I feel that it’s important to ask if they will same access to this new housing. It seems a bit pointless to me if they don’t, especially since they were the original inhabitants of the building.

Needless to say, there’s something about this development that feels like gentrification.

It doesn’t help that Movement Music described the affordable housing development as creating housing for  “graduate students, hospitality workers, first responders, and artists.”

To me, this statement isn’t targeted at the people who already live in Wichita who need affordable housing. Instead, it seems to be targeted towards transplants like me.

In other words, this development may make downtown Wichita “nicer,” but there’s a very clear, human cost that needs to be acknowledged. Fundamental issues of poverty and homelessness don’t just go away with a fresh coat of paint. If anything, projects like these have the possibility of exacerbating them.

Ultimately, I just hope that Chase understands this cost.