Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday will consider a request for tax breaks on construction materials to build market-rate apartments in west Lawrence.
The applicant is MRES Lusso Holdings LLC, a Nebraska-based real estate investment company whose registered agent in Kansas is the Corporation Service Company.
The complex would include 131 units, to be built on the northeast corner of Wakarusa Drive and Queens Road.
The developers are seeking industrial revenue bonds, which would provide a sales tax exemption on eligible construction materials for the project. They are not seeking property tax exemptions.
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Developers are asking the commission to approve up to $37.3 million in IRBs. However, “Based on estimated local purchasing assumptions, the anticipated impact to the City’s local sales tax revenues is approximately $80,000,” according to the agenda.
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“The IRBs would function solely as conduit financing,” according to the agenda. “The bonds would not constitute a general obligation or indebtedness of the City, and the City would have no repayment obligation or financial liability associated with the bonds.”
The agenda item notes that “The proposed project does not satisfy the affordable housing provisions of the City’s current economic development policy,” but also highlights that a recent study has found that the city needs more of all types of housing units in order to increase affordability.
In other business, commissioners will also:
• Consider authorizing issuance of $3.9 million in IRBs for the redevelopment project at 639 New Hampshire St., or Q39. The commission already approved tax breaks earlier in the project’s development.
• Hear an update on the capital improvement plan for the next five years.
• Discuss whether to keep the recreational center facilities at the Community Building free to access for the remainder of the year, and if so, how to fund the $39,000 estimated cost to remain open. (Read more about rec center access fees in the articles at this link.)
Updates:
• City Commission approves tax breaks for northwest Lawrence apartment complex, June 16, 2026
• Lawrence’s Community Building to remain fee-free for the rest of the year, June 16, 2026
Meeting info
Lawrence city commissioners will meet starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 16 at Lawrence City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St., but the meeting will begin with two 30-minute executive sessions. The regular agenda will likely commence at or after 6 p.m.
The commission accepts written public comment emailed to [email protected] until noon the day of meetings. The commission also hears live public comment during meetings, both in person and virtually.
City commission meetings are no longer livestreamed on YouTube. In order to watch the meeting online remotely, attendees must join via Zoom at this link, which also allows participants to provide public comment virtually. Meeting recordings are uploaded to the city’s YouTube channel the next day.
See the commission’s complete meeting agenda at this link.
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