Lawrence local news summary
Week of August 9 2025
City Commission Approves Controversial Fall Creek Villas Plan on 3-2 Vote
13 Million Senior Housing Project Granted 65% Tax Abatement
Contractor Shortage Delays Key County Infrastructure Projects
Wakarusa Drive Extension Moves to Federal Review; Construction Years Away
County to Halt Investment in Downtown Building, Signaling Future Sale
Cost for Public Safety Building Second Phase Estimated at $6.5-7.5M
1. City Commission Approves Controversial Fall Creek Villas Plan on 3–2 Vote
LAWRENCE - In a contentious decision, the Lawrence City Commission approved the final development plan for Fall Creek Villas, a 14-duplex (28-unit) residential project near Kasold and Tomahawk Drives, on a 3–2 vote. The approval came after more than an hour of public comment, with dozens of neighbors speaking in opposition, citing concerns about flooding, erosion, loss of green space, and development density. City legal staff advised the commission that its role was “ministerial,” meaning that because the developer’s revised stormwater plan was deemed compliant with city code by staff, the commission was required to approve it. Commissioners voting against the project expressed frustration, stating the development benefits no one in the community and was a project “nobody wants”.
2. 13 Million Senior Housing Project Granted 65% Tax Abatement
LAWRENCE - The Lawrence City Commission unanimously approved a significant tax incentive package for The Peaks of Lawrence, a 42-unit, mixed-income senior housing development planned for 5275 W. Sixth St. The developer will receive a 10-year, 65% property-tax abatement as well as a sales-tax exemption on construction materials for the project, which is estimated to cost about $13 million. The project will provide 34 income-restricted units for seniors 55 and older, with affordability guaranteed for 30 years. City staff and the developer stated the incentives were necessary to close a financing gap caused by rising construction costs and interest rates, making the affordable housing project financially feasible.
3. Contractor Shortage Delays Key County Infrastructure Projects
DOUGLAS COUNTY - Douglas County is facing significant delays on major infrastructure projects amid a tight contractor market, a challenge highlighted during the Capital Improvement Plan review. Officials noted that ongoing K-10/South Lawrence Trafficway work and corridor capacity improvements, along with large private construction such as the Panasonic battery plant in De Soto, are tying up regional capacity. The delays mean the county is sitting on allocated funds while needed bridge and road work — including planning for the Wakarusa Drive extension — is pushed back, creating a potential “pile up” of projects in future years.
4. Wakarusa Drive Extension Moves to Federal Review; Construction Years Away
DOUGLAS COUNTY - The long-planned extension of Wakarusa Drive is advancing, with Douglas County moving the project into required federal environmental review. The project, estimated at about $10.5 million, involves building ~1.6 miles of new road and a bridge over the Wakarusa River. County staff anticipate the federal process will take at least six months, and the project is not expected to go out for bid until 2027, dependent on federal feedback and complex bridge/road design.
5. County to Halt Investment in Downtown Building, Signaling Future Sale
DOUGLAS COUNTY - Douglas County plans to stop allocating funds for the renovation of its building at 1242 Massachusetts Street and will explore selling the property in the future. During a review of the 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), staff recommended that the county will no longer need the building for its own operations once the courthouse expansion and new Public Safety Building are complete. Citing the building’s condition and lack of features like an elevator, staff advised that investing millions in renovations would not be a wise use of taxpayer money. The commission directed staff not to allocate any new funds to the project and to prepare for a future conversation about the statutory process for selling the downtown property after 2027, once it is no longer needed for construction parking.
Cost for Public Safety Building Second Phase Estimated at $6.5-7.5M
DOUGLAS COUNTY - The final build-out of the new Douglas County Public Safety Building is expected to cost between $6.5 million and $7.5 million, according to an update provided to commissioners. This second phase involves finishing the main level to house the Sheriff’s Office, including administrative offices, evidence storage, and a vehicle garage that were left as shelled space during the initial construction. The project team noted that cost volatility in the market, particularly for electrical components and switchgear, is a major factor in the estimate. The commission expects to receive a final guaranteed maximum price for the work and vote on its approval in August.
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