Lawrence – Week of June 29 2025
Growing Debt Concerns; Fire Department Expansion; Streets vs. Loop; Affordable Housing Rebate; Farmers Market Home
Citizen Group Raises Alarm Over Lawrence’s Growing Debt
Fire Department Expansion Faces Funding Hurdles
Lawrence Faces Choice Between Street Repair and Lawrence Loop Funding
City Approves Tax Rebate for New Affordable Housing Project
Farmers Market Makes Pitch for Permanent Home in City Capital Plan
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Citizen Group Raises Alarm Over Lawrence’s Growing Debt
LAWRENCE - During a discussion of the city’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), the citizen group Coalition for Collaborative Governance raised serious concerns about Lawrence’s financial state. A spokesperson for the group stated the city’s current total debt stands at $463 million, and that the proposed CIP would add another $126 million in 2026, potentially bringing the total to $550 million. This represents a 56 % increase in three years, amounting to approximately $5,700 of debt for every resident. The group criticized the city for what it called a lack of transparency, claiming it had to seek outside help to determine the current debt figure and arguing that the city has not adequately engaged the community on the long-term plan to manage these financial obligations. City finance officials countered by explaining their five-year forecasting models are designed to ensure sustainability by aligning projects with revenue projections and policy requirements, noting the city is well below its statutory debt limit.
Fire Department Expansion Faces Funding Hurdles
LAWRENCE - Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) staff and supporters made an urgent case for expansion, highlighting that a new fire station hasn’t been built in nearly 20 years. While the proposed capital plan includes funding for building Fire Station 6 in northwest Lawrence, it leaves critical components unfunded, including the fire apparatus and staffing for the station, which has a target opening of 2029. A second proposed expansion, Station 7, has been completely unfunded in the new plan. A city analysis estimates the ongoing operating cost to the city for both stations would be $4.7 million annually, requiring a significant mill-levy increase to support the new personnel and debt service. Fire-department personnel emphasized the immediate need for Station 6 to improve response times and manage a call volume that has grown from roughly 1,100 calls in 1985 to over 17,500 today.
Lawrence Faces Choice Between Street Repair and Lawrence Loop Funding
LAWRENCE - Lawrence city staff presented commissioners with a key decision for its capital sales-tax fund: fully prioritize street maintenance or divert funds to advance sections of the Lawrence Loop trail system. Staff’s recommended option focuses funding on street maintenance, as the city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is currently 63.1, below the goal of 70, and is at risk of declining further without sufficient investment. The second option would allocate approximately $2.3 million to fund design and minor construction for three Lawrence Loop projects, but this would come directly from the street-maintenance program, leaving it with significant unfunded needs. The choice highlights the tension between maintaining existing core infrastructure and investing in popular community amenities.
City Approves Tax Rebate for New Affordable Housing Project
LAWRENCE - The Lawrence City Commission voted 5-0 to approve a significant tax incentive for a new affordable-housing development. The “9 Del Lofts II” project, located at 716 East 9th Street, will receive a 95 % property-tax rebate for 15 years on the increased value of the property after construction. The development plans to offer 24 one-bedroom apartments for households earning 30–60 % of the area-median income, alongside 12 market-rate units and six live-work units. The total project cost is estimated at $14 million, pieced together from various funding sources, including federal low-income-housing tax credits. During public comment, one resident questioned the value, calculating the cost at over $333,000 per unit, while commissioners noted that such incentives are often the only way to make affordable-housing projects financially viable.
Farmers Market Makes Pitch for Permanent Home in City Capital Plan
LAWRENCE - The Lawrence Farmers Market is asking the city to fund a permanent location and pavilion structure, a project that has been discussed for over 15 years. In a public comment delivered online, the market’s director of development noted the project scored highly in the city’s review process and aligns with numerous strategic goals. The market has already secured $40,000 for a site-feasibility study and is now seeking a full commitment from the city to be included in the Capital Improvement Plan. A permanent, all-weather structure would provide stability for local farms and food businesses while enhancing the market with amenities like bathrooms, expanded seating, and space for community events.
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