The name ricklefs had become closely associated with one of the most significant business expansions in Wichita’s recent economic history. From humble beginnings to a major corporate relocation along the Arkansas River, the journey connected closely with the growth of King of Freight and the leadership of Michael Ricklefs, also widely known as mike ricklefs and michael ricklef in business circles. The story unfolded over several years and reflected broader changes in downtown development, city planning, and economic diversification.
The relocation of King of Freight to WaterWalk had marked a turning point not only for the company but also for Wichita itself. The Wichita City Council had approved the move, signaling a shift in how prime riverfront property would be used and redefining earlier expectations for an entertainment driven development.
The Early Rise of Ricklefs and King of Freight
From Startup to Expanding Brokerage
Before the major WaterWalk relocation, ricklefs had already guided King of Freight through remarkable expansion. What had begun as a small freight brokerage had grown into a national operation that connected trucking companies with shippers across the country. The company had operated as a middleman, arranging transportation for loads that required delivery nationwide.
Under the leadership of Michael Ricklefs, the firm had expanded steadily. Mike ricklefs had focused heavily on sales growth, workforce expansion, and building relationships with large clients. Over time, King of Freight had increased its employee base to 535 workers. That number alone had reflected a dramatic transformation from its early startup phase.
Building a National Presence from Wichita
Ricklefs had remained committed to Wichita as the headquarters of King of Freight. Even as the company serviced clients across the United States, the city had remained central to its operations. The freight brokerage industry had been one of the fastest growing segments of the logistics sector, and King of Freight had positioned itself as a rising force within that space.
The growth had drawn attention from economic development organizations, including the Greater Wichita Partnership, which had supported the company’s continued expansion. Industry observers had described freight brokerage as an expanding field, and King of Freight had represented a hometown success story within that dynamic market.
The WaterWalk Decision
City Council Approval
The most significant chapter in the ricklefs expansion story had involved the move to WaterWalk. The Wichita City Council had unanimously approved the company’s relocation into the former Gander Mountain building located on city owned land along the east bank of the Arkansas River.
The vote had effectively ended earlier visions of transforming that stretch of riverfront into a glitzy entertainment district. When WaterWalk had first been proposed more than a decade earlier, developers had imagined a vibrant focal point for downtown revitalization. Over time, those ambitions had faded. The approval of King of Freight’s office relocation had signaled recognition that a different strategy had become more practical.
City Manager Robert Layton had acknowledged that WaterWalk had been formulated in a very different environment years earlier. With the city committing to a new seventy five million dollar Triple A baseball stadium on the west bank of the river, the entertainment focus had shifted across the water. The east bank had increasingly appeared better suited for office development.
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The Former Gander Mountain Building
The building that King of Freight had planned to occupy had once housed Gander Mountain, an outdoor products retailer that had gone bankrupt in 2017. Since that time, the structure had remained vacant. Its location on leased city land had complicated redevelopment options.
By moving into the former Gander Mountain site, King of Freight had brought renewed purpose to a dormant property. The company had pledged not only to relocate but also to expand significantly as part of the agreement.
Economic Impact of the Expansion
Job Growth Commitments
As part of the WaterWalk deal, King of Freight had promised to add at least 400 new jobs in Wichita. That commitment had been central to the city council’s approval. If the company had maintained those jobs locally for ten years, the city had agreed to drop a profit sharing clause tied to earlier WaterWalk agreements.
The expansion had been viewed as a major economic boost. Estimates had suggested that taxes paid by new employees would total approximately one hundred thousand dollars per year. In addition, the company had committed to paying seventy thousand dollars annually for parking.
For city leaders, these numbers had represented tangible returns compared to uncertain prospects of entertainment based redevelopment.
Diversifying the Wichita Economy
Mayor Jeff Longwell had publicly supported the relocation, noting that expanding freight brokerage operations helped diversify Wichita’s economy beyond its traditional aviation manufacturing base. The city had long been associated with aircraft production, and economic leaders had sought broader industry representation.
The growth of King of Freight under michael ricklef had symbolized that diversification. The logistics sector had offered stability and scalability distinct from manufacturing cycles. By strengthening its presence in Wichita, the company had contributed to a more balanced economic landscape.
Community Reactions and Debate
Concerns About Riverfront Use
Despite unanimous approval, the decision had not been free of controversy. Some council members and community activists had expressed reservations about dedicating prime riverfront property to office space.
Mayor Longwell had admitted that the building’s orientation along the river corridor had not been ideal. He had acknowledged that if current leaders had been involved at the project’s inception, they might have approached design decisions differently.
Hoyt Hillman, a river activist and Park Board member, had urged the council to reject the office plan. He had argued that the land represented a beautiful opportunity for something more dynamic. Similarly, local photographer Christopher Parisho had criticized the shift away from the original entertainment vision, suggesting that a performing arts center might have been a better long term use.
These perspectives had reflected lingering disappointment over the unrealized potential of the WaterWalk project.
Support from Business Leaders
At the same time, business advocates had strongly supported the relocation. Representatives from economic development organizations had emphasized that freight brokerage had been one of the fastest growing segments of the logistics industry.
Supporters had framed King of Freight as a hometown company on the rise. They had argued that anchoring such growth in Wichita had been more practical and beneficial than holding out for entertainment concepts that had struggled to gain traction.
Council members Brandon Johnson and Jeff Blubaugh had expressed hesitation but ultimately voted in favor. The final tally had been six to zero, with one member absent due to term limits.
Ricklefs Leadership During Expansion
Strategic Growth Vision
Throughout the WaterWalk negotiations, ricklefs had remained focused on long term growth. The company’s commitment to adding 400 jobs had demonstrated confidence in continued expansion. Mike ricklefs had built a sales driven culture that emphasized recruitment, training, and aggressive market outreach.
The decision to move into a large riverfront building had indicated that King of Freight anticipated sustained increases in freight volume and staffing needs. Rather than leasing modest office space, the company had chosen a prominent location capable of housing hundreds of employees.
Commitment to Wichita
Although King of Freight operated nationwide, michael ricklef had consistently anchored the company in Wichita. The WaterWalk move had reinforced that commitment. By signing a long term arrangement tied to job creation, the company had effectively locked in its local presence for years to come.
Mayor Longwell had remarked that the deal secured the company’s long term growth in Wichita, even if future expansion might occur at additional sites. The agreement had signaled mutual confidence between city officials and corporate leadership.
The Broader WaterWalk Context
Financial Realities
The WaterWalk project had received approximately forty one million dollars in public subsidies over the years. Under the original agreement, the city had been entitled to receive twenty five percent of net profits from WaterWalk rentals. However, the contract terms had favored the developer so heavily that profit sharing had never materialized.
The relocation of King of Freight had not guaranteed immediate financial recovery for the city. Instead, it had represented a pragmatic acknowledgment that stable office tenancy offered more reliable economic returns than uncertain entertainment ventures.
City Manager Robert Layton had described discussions with developer Jack DeBoer about recasting WaterWalk as an office park development. The baseball stadium and accompanying restaurant district on the west bank had effectively repositioned the east bank as a complementary business zone.
Shifting Development Priorities
The vote approving King of Freight’s relocation had reflected a broader shift in development philosophy. Rather than clinging to past visions, city leaders had adapted to current market realities. Office development tied to job growth had appeared more attainable than reviving earlier entertainment concepts.
Ricklefs and King of Freight had become central figures in that transition. Their expansion had provided a concrete opportunity at a time when other redevelopment prospects had stalled.
Conclusion
The story of ricklefs and King of Freight had intertwined with Wichita’s evolving downtown strategy. Michael Ricklefs, known also as mike ricklefs and michael ricklef, had guided the company from modest beginnings to a large scale operation employing hundreds. The decision to relocate to WaterWalk had symbolized both corporate ambition and municipal adaptation.
While debates had surrounded the use of riverfront property, the economic commitments made by King of Freight had ultimately carried decisive weight. The promise of 400 additional jobs, steady tax contributions, and long term local growth had reshaped the future of the east bank of the Arkansas River.
In the years following its founding, King of Freight had stood as evidence that Wichita could nurture nationally competitive logistics companies. Through expansion, relocation, and sustained hiring, ricklefs had left a lasting imprint on the city’s business landscape, transforming both a vacant building and a broader vision for downtown development.
