Commission approves first reading of tax-rebate plan for affordable project at 716 E. Ninth St.

The Lawrence City Commission voted 5-0 on first reading June 17 to establish a neighborhood revitalization area and approve a neighborhood revitalization plan for a mixed market-rate and affordable housing project at 716 E. Ninth Street, commonly described in the meeting materials as the Nindale/DeLofts 2 project. The ordinance adopted on first reading is numbered 10144.

The project developer is identified in the presentation as Flint Hills Holding Group LLC. City-contracted financial adviser Tom Calico of Baker Tilly told commissioners the proposal includes 24 one‑bedroom units that would meet affordability standards (targeting 30%, 40% or 60% of area median income), 12 market‑rate one‑bedroom units and six ground‑floor work‑live units. Calico said the total project cost is roughly $14,000,000 and that the city has already committed $450,000 from the City of Lawrence Affordable Housing Trust Fund toward the development. He also said the developer requested an industrial revenue bond strictly to secure a sales‑tax exemption on construction materials and…