Lawrence Connected City Advisory Board Summary
Week of September 23, 2026
Solid waste study reveals high organics rate, explores $20 million compost facility
Lawrence to deploy 'smart truck' technology for waste collection
City plans stricter enforcement on bulky waste and recycling contamination
Board approves speed cushions for three West Lawrence corridors
New crosswalk compliance campaign to address school crosswalk safety
Board recommends downtown alignment for Lawrence Loop expansion
Pending riverfront redevelopment shifts Lawrence Loop trail plans
KDOT grant mandates major safety features for downtown trail
Solid waste study reveals high organics rate, explores $20 million compost facility
LAWRENCE, Kan. — A recent waste characterization study revealed that organic materials make up 40 percent of Lawrence's residential trash, prompting city officials to explore expanded composting capabilities. Municipal Services and Operations Deputy Director Mike Lawless presented the Solid Waste Master Plan update, noting that diverting food and yard waste is critical to extending the lifespan of regional landfills. An initial feasibility study outlined a potential 14-acre compost facility north of the city's wastewater treatment plant, estimated to cost roughly $20 million. While the expanded facility would drastically increase processing capacity, officials noted that securing commercial participation and funding the capital investment remain significant hurdles.
Lawrence to deploy 'smart truck' technology for waste collection
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The city has signed a contract for the full deployment of "smart truck" technology to improve the efficiency and accountability of solid waste collection. Municipal Services and Operations staff told the Connected City Advisory Board that new sanitation vehicles will feature radio-frequency identification readers to scan trash carts as they are emptied. The integrated software will allow drivers to instantly log unplaced carts, illegal bulky item set-outs and collection times with the push of a button, moving the department away from outdated tracking methods and providing a wealth of data to optimize routes.
City plans stricter enforcement on bulky waste and recycling contamination
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Lawrence residents may soon face stricter enforcement for improper trash disposal and recycling contamination as the city finalizes its Solid Waste Master Plan. Officials noted widespread issues with uncalled-for bulky item set-outs — particularly during university move-in and move-out periods — and high contamination rates in multifamily recycling bins. Because the city currently faces escalating processing fees when recycling contamination exceeds 10 percent, staff plan to use new truck technologies and potential neighborhood audits to crack down on improper disposal and improve public education.
Board approves speed cushions for three West Lawrence corridors
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Connected City Advisory Board approved allocating approximately $167,000 from the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program to install speed cushions on three collector streets in West Lawrence. The traffic calming devices will be placed on sections of George Williams Way, Harvard Road and Kanza Drive, which scored highest for interventions based on vehicular speeds, crash history and pedestrian proximity. Because the corridors serve as high-traffic collector streets, they will receive speed cushions rather than standard speed humps to better accommodate emergency response vehicles.
New crosswalk compliance campaign to address school crosswalk safety
LAWRENCE, Kan. — In an effort to improve pedestrian safety around local schools, the city will launch a new crosswalk compliance campaign. Utilizing $6,000 from the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program budget, the initiative will feature high-visibility pedestrian safety signs installed at strategic school crosswalks. Municipal Services and Operations staff plan to conduct quarterly evaluations to monitor vehicle yielding rates, aiming to change driver behavior in areas where crossing guards face increasingly dangerous conditions.
Board recommends downtown alignment for Lawrence Loop expansion
LAWRENCE, Kan. — The Connected City Advisory Board unanimously approved a recommended downtown alignment for the Lawrence Loop, paving the way for the city to utilize a $1.23 million Kansas Department of Transportation grant. The approved route will utilize segments along Seventh Street and New Hampshire Street to connect the Santa Fe Depot to Constant Park with separated shared-use paths. While public feedback initially favored an off-street riverfront route, city staff recommended the street-side alignment to avoid interfering with pending, long-term redevelopment plans for the city-owned riverfront property.
Pending riverfront redevelopment shifts Lawrence Loop trail plans
LAWRENCE, Kan. — Uncertainty surrounding the future of Lawrence's riverfront property has forced the city to route a planned segment of the Lawrence Loop away from the Kansas River. Municipal Services and Operations Director Melissa Sieben explained that the city will gain full control of the Riverfront Mall property following a recent lawsuit settlement. Because the property is slated for a long-term, undefined redevelopment that will likely overhaul the area between the railroad and the river, Sieben said the city intends to explore new development options for the space. Due to these future plans, officials opted to route the loop's downtown connection along nearby streets as a permanent addition that will serve until a secondary riverfront route becomes viable.
KDOT grant mandates major safety features for downtown trail
LAWRENCE, Kan. — A $1.23 million state grant awarded for the downtown segment of the Lawrence Loop comes with strict safety stipulations, including a requirement for a grade-separated trail crossing beneath the Kansas River bridges. Engineering Program Manager Jake Baldwin noted that the Kansas Department of Transportation is increasingly prioritizing safety in its Transportation Alternatives grants, targeting areas on the high-injury network. In addition to the under-bridge crossing, the grant requires the city to install a raised crosswalk near Rhode Island Street and utilize high-visibility pavement markings throughout the project to protect vulnerable road users.
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