Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved a $400,000 contract for the first phase of a “North Lawrence Comprehensive Corridor Plan” as well as the makeup of an 11-member task force that will drive it.
“This study is going to evaluate land use opportunities, strengthen connection to the river and enhance modes of transportation between the airport and downtown,” Melinda Harger, assistant director of the city’s Municipal Services and Operations department, summarized for the commission.
Melissa Sieben, director of Municipal Services and Operations, previously told members of the Connected City Advisory Board that the last city plan for the North Lawrence area came to fruition in December 1981.
She said many city departments have an interest in the study, which could involve subjects such as sewers, stormwater, transportation, walkability, connectivity to downtown Lawrence, economic development, railroad crossings and more.
Some community members representing Grant Township spoke to the commission, saying they believe a township resident should be included on the task force. Another suggested adding county-appointed member of the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission.
Vice Mayor Brad Finkeldei said he’d be fine with adding spots for both, and other commissioners agreed.
The task force will also include a city appointee to the Planning Commission, a North Lawrence Improvement Association member, one member each from the Aviation, Connected City and Parks and Recreation advisory boards, a Woodlawn Elementary PTO member or a Safe Routes to Schools champion, a Lawrence chamber of commerce appointee, two area business owners and one area resident.
Finkeldei said the plan will offer suggestions for transportation and placemaking, and the committee will probably spend a lot of time talking about railroads and traffic counts as opposed to things like zoning. He said he was excited about the plan.
Mayor Mike Dever echoed the sentiment.
“I can say honestly that this is something we need to do, and with the voices of the people who are going to be affected the most, most importantly, so I’m excited to move forward,” Dever said.
Commissioners approved the contract for the first phase of the plan on a 4-0 vote. Commissioner Bart Littlejohn was not present for the meeting.
Staff members anticipate the task force members being appointed by Oct. 15 and the first meeting scheduled by the end of October, according to the agenda.
Cece Riley, a transportation planner with the city, will lead the study as the project manager.
The full service agreement for the first phase, awarded to Kansas City, Missouri-based HNTB Corporation, is available at this link.
The second phase, estimated at $275,000, will come back to the commission for future approval.
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Mackenzie Clark (she/her), reporter/founder of The Lawrence Times, can be reached at mclark@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.
