Shady Way Plaza Tower

    1421 N Spruce St, Wichita, KS, 67214
    2.7 · 3 reviews
    • Independent living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    2.0

    Nice programs; unsafe, dishonest management

    I like the many programs, active church/social life, a responsive site coordinator, and the building is clean-some residents even point to a 104-year-old tenant as proof it's a good place. However, I'm worried about neighborhood safety, unattractive grounds, and what I saw as non-transparent, dishonest management pressuring long-term, low-income residents with eviction threats-I'd look elsewhere unless management improves.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    2.67 · 3 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      2.7
    • Staff

      3.0
    • Meals

      2.7
    • Amenities

      2.0
    • Value

      2.7

    Pros

    • Multiple resident programs and activities
    • Active church and social presence
    • On-site site coordinator
    • Some residents report safe management
    • Some residents describe the building as clean
    • Home to long-term and very elderly residents (e.g., 104-year-old resident)

    Cons

    • Area safety concerns
    • Unattractive landscaping
    • Low-income housing designation (may signal limited resources)
    • Some reviewers advise prospective residents to look elsewhere
    • Allegations of dishonest management
    • Reported eviction pressure on tenants
    • Lack of transparency from management
    • Conflicting and disputed reviews between residents and management

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in the review summaries for Shady Way Plaza Tower is sharply mixed, with clear positive reports about community life and cleanliness on one hand and serious allegations about management practices and safety/appearance on the other. Several reviewers praise the community atmosphere: there are multiple programs and activities, an active church and social presence, and a named on-site site coordinator who appears to contribute to organized programming. Some residents explicitly describe the building as clean and say the property feels safe under management, with at least one resident calling it a 'wonderful place to live.' The presence of long-term residents — including mention of a 104-year-old tenant — suggests the facility can support very elderly residents and has established ties with those who stay for extended periods.

    However, those positive impressions coexist with significant and specific complaints. Multiple summaries mention area safety concerns and unattractive landscaping, which affect the external environment and curb appeal. The facility is identified as low-income housing in the reviews; while that is a neutral descriptor, reviewers framed it alongside concerns about resources and upkeep. Importantly, there are serious allegations regarding management conduct: some reviewers accuse management of dishonesty, applying eviction pressure to tenants, and lacking transparency. These claims appear to disproportionately affect long-term tenants according to the summaries. The coexistence of glowing testimonials and strong accusations creates a pattern of polarized experiences among residents and reviewers.

    Staff and management emerge as the most contested theme. On the positive side, reviewers credit staff and management with keeping the building clean and safe and facilitating programming via a site coordinator. On the negative side, other reviewers assert that management is dishonest and exerts eviction pressure, accompanied by a lack of transparency. There are also indications of direct conflict between reviewers and management or between reviewers themselves — for example, one review accuses another of lying — which may reflect either genuine disagreement about conditions or an adversarial local dynamic. Prospective residents should take both sets of comments seriously and seek clarifying information about lease protections, grievance procedures, and recent staffing changes.

    Facilities and amenities are similarly mixed in the summaries. Indoor upkeep is positively noted by some residents, while exterior concerns (landscaping and neighborhood safety) are repeatedly mentioned. Activities and social programming are a clear strength, supported by the site coordinator and church groups, which likely contribute to a socially active atmosphere. Dining and formal care services are not mentioned in the provided summaries, so no conclusions can be drawn about meal quality or clinical care from these reviews alone.

    Notable patterns: the reviews display polarization — strong endorsements from some long-term residents coexist with serious management-related complaints from others. The safety and appearance of the exterior environment, plus management transparency and tenant security, are the principal areas of concern. If evaluating Shady Way Plaza Tower, it would be prudent to verify current management practices, ask for recent resident references, review lease and eviction policies, and tour both interior and exterior spaces to assess cleanliness, landscaping, and neighborhood safety firsthand. The mixed nature of the feedback suggests the facility may offer meaningful social programming and adequate indoor maintenance for some residents, but there are credible warnings that warrant careful, specific inquiry before moving forward.

    Location

    Map showing location of Shady Way Plaza Tower

    About Shady Way Plaza Tower

    Shady Way Plaza Tower stands seven stories tall on 1.47 acres in the North Central part of Wichita. The building holds 100 one-bedroom apartments for people age 55 or older, with some units converted to meet ADA standards for accessibility, so folks using wheelchairs or walkers can get around easily. Built in 1979 and updated with new roofing, doors, wood-plank floors, and life safety improvements-like better lighting and upgraded security-this place has seen a lot of changes, finishing up big renovations in 2021. Each apartment has air conditioning, energy-efficient kitchens, and private bathrooms, plus there's off-street parking for those who drive and an upgraded parking lot out front. Residents can use the laundry room on-site, work out in the fitness room, and spend time in the newly renovated community room with a kitchen, or use the business center for personal work. There's a full calendar of social activities, and staff aim to be helpful, friendly, and keep things running smooth. Meals come planned and cooked by chefs looking to keep residents' diets balanced, and pets like dogs and cats are welcome, which means you'll see furry friends around. Shady Way offers Project-Based Section 8 housing for seniors and disabled adults, helping with rent costs for those who qualify, and people get both independent living and higher levels of care with options for assisted living, memory care, and even help through home care aides. Every apartment's designed for low maintenance, and the grounds and building try to stay as clean and safe as possible, so folks can live with some peace of mind. People here get a mix of privacy and community, with plenty of ways to join in on activities, from games and exercise to social or educational programs, while staff try hard to create a friendly atmosphere. There's information available about the building's ownership, sales, rates, and occupancy for those who like to know a place's history. Shady Way Plaza Tower aims to meet different needs as people age, with amenities and building features that try to cover the basics, support independence, and offer a safe, welcoming space.

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