The City of Lawrence is working on Vision 2030 — the first update to the strategic plan since 2020 — and the city has announced more opportunities for community members to provide their input.
The strategic plan is like a community roadmap with measurable goals, according to the Vision 2030 landing page.
“Our Strategic Plan should reflect the people who call Lawrence home,” said Casey Toomay, assistant city manager, in a city news release. “Every conversation helps us better understand what our community values, what we’re doing well, and where we should focus as we look toward the future.”
2020’s plan established aims such as equity and inclusion, sound fiscal stewardship, environmental sustainability and more. The city had intended to adopt an updated plan five years after that plan. The current timeline aims to send Vision 2030 to the city commission to be adopted by the end of 2026.
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Per the project’s timeline on the website, community conversation would be the focus for July and August. The release said the city has already reached out to some groups, schools and businesses directly for input.
The city plans to release a survey for all residents soon. In the meantime, here’s how folks can make their voices heard:
Speak with city representatives at events
“Over the next four weeks, you’ll find City staff and trained Community Listeners at farmers markets, concerts, recreation programs, neighborhood events, community gatherings, and meetings throughout Lawrence,” the release reads.
These are the upcoming opportunities to chat with staff and trained listeners, according to a city newsletter:
• 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 W. 27th St.
• Noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Lawrence Young Professionals at Johnny’s North, 401 N. Second St.
• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5 during adult swim at the Outdoor Aquatic Center, 727 Kentucky St.
• 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 during the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s annual Kids Expo, 110 McDonald Drive (read more about the event at this link)
• For Lawrence Chamber members only: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Chamber Coffee Connections, 110 McDonald Drive
• 7 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Sports Pavilion Lawrence, 100 Rock Chalk Lane
• 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24 at the Pooch Plunge at the Outdoor Aquatic Center
Request a kit to host a conversation about the plan
People can also request community engagement kits that residents can use to run a conversation in their neighborhood, organization, workplace or other group.
“Each kit includes simple facilitation materials and everything needed to collect ideas and return them to the project team,” per the release.
People can ask questions or request a kit by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Vision 2030 Engagement Kit.”
People can also sign up to receive updates about the planning process at this link.
Note: The majority of this article was previously published July 23. We are republishing to share new dates and remind readers about the opportunities to make their voices heard.
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