Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City plans comprehensive North Lawrence corridor study to evaluate levees, connectivity and redevelopment
Summary
City staff described a proposed comprehensive corridor study for North Lawrence to assess levee needs, land use, connectivity and economic feasibility; the study is budgeted at more than $500,000 and is intended to inform future grant applications and capital investments.
City staff described a proposed comprehensive corridor study for North Lawrence that would examine levee and flood issues, connectivity to downtown, economic feasibility and land-use options north of Interstate 70.
Presenters said the area has not received a comprehensive plan since the early 1980s and that renewed interest from airport-area projects and a recently approved solar farm have increased attention on the corridor. Staff said Army Corps of Engineers levee standards and potential levee-raising needs factor into the study and that the city owns multiple properties along the riverfront that could play roles in future development.
Staff characterized the study as large and comprehensive: they estimated the study cost at "north of a half $1,000,000" (discussed in the meeting as more than $500,000), said the process could take 18 months or more and that the work will include economic analysis to test whether proposed changes could generate sufficient revenue to support necessary infrastructure. The scope includes transportation (auto, bike, pedestrian), stormwater, water/wastewater, and potential land-use and annexation options. Staff said the study will be funded with city dollars (moved from the general fund into capital sales tax funding to free up resources) and will not be a federal grant-funded procurement at this stage.
Board members flagged equity and displacement concerns and asked staff to call out equity and racial-equity outcomes in the RFP and selection criteria. Staff said they would review the RFP language and make equity goals clearer before the governing body sees the procurement.
Staff said the study would set up future grant competitiveness by providing the technical and economic case for projects and would coordinate with multiple city departments and the MPO. No formal board vote was required on the study during the meeting; staff sought feedback to refine the RFP and engagement approach.
Less critical details: staff noted potential steps such as consideration of quiet zones for rail, stormwater infrastructure gaps, and the possibility of annexation or other land-use tools; they also said the project was added to the CIP in 2024 and that the city intends to use the study to inform capital sequencing and funding decisions.
