Construction appears set to begin on a long-stalled plan for duplexes at the corner of Crestline Drive and Clinton Parkway, despite continued concerns from some neighbors.
The project was originally approved in 2021, when Lawrence city commissioners gave a hesitant nod to the 319-bedroom project on a 3-2 vote.
Prior to the vote, the commission had heard concerns from the Lawrence Child Development Center, which will be surrounded by the project, and First Presbyterian Church of Lawrence, which is across the street.
The site plan for 2300 Crestline approved in 2021 included a complex of about 400,000 square feet, with buildings 23 to 26 feet tall. The complex includes 63 residential structures — 57 duplexes and six standalone homes.
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Crews recently put up a fence surrounding the property with signs alerting of construction in the area.
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Maureen Brady, a spokesperson for the City of Lawrence, said the fence was likely put up to prepare for pending construction for the residential project.
Fountain Residential Partners LLC is the group behind the housing development. They did not respond to multiple calls and emails over the last several days requesting comment for this article, but their website states that they have “Over $2 billion in student housing developed by a team with decades of expertise.”
The city’s recently completed housing study projected that the city will need 6,315 additional units — 2,920 for sale and 3,395 for rental — over the next 10 years.
After approval in 2021, the project was stalled because of a lawsuit brought by First Presbyterian Church over the city code’s definition of duplex.
In 2024, a Douglas County judge ruled in favor of the developer and city. The Kansas Court of Appeals upheld the ruling last year, allowing the project to move forward.
During the course of the lawsuit, First Presbyterian Church sought, and was eventually granted, a place on the Lawrence Register of Historic Places.
The city’s historic resources code establishes a 250-foot “context area” around historic places. Development in that area needs to receive a certificate of approval. The context area for First Presbyterian Church includes some of the lot at 2300 Crestline Drive.
Jeff Southard, an elder at the church, said at the Lawrence City Commission meeting last week that he doesn’t think the housing development ever appeared before the city’s Historic Resources Commission.
But Brady said the project will not require HRC review because the site plan and permits were approved before the church was placed on the historic register, and the new standards do not apply retroactively.
Another neighbor of the project, the Lawrence Child Development Center, has also pushed back on the project over the years, arguing it could impact the center’s ability to care for children.
The new housing would surround the center on three sides.
Wren Nikodym, who works at the center, said they have already seen how the loud construction from the fence installation makes it harder to supervise children.
They were worried about possible construction impacts, such as dust in the air or heavy machinery making noise, which could make it hard for children to use the center’s outdoor playground.
Nikodym said they weren’t informed ahead of time about construction starting and are worried how the new housing could change the character of the area.
“I think it would be an extreme negative,” Nikodym said.
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Cuyler Dunn (he/him), staff reporter, has worked with The Lawrence Times since April 2022. He can be reached at [email protected].
Read his complete bio at this link. Read more of his work for the Times at this link.
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Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence TimesAfter 5-year delay, construction appears set to begin on duplexes next to Lawrence childcare center
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Debi Taylor/Contributed photo
