City approves funds for operating depot

Lawrence city commissioners on Tuesday approved giving nearly $44,000 to the Convention and Visitors Bureau to run the Lawrence Visitors Center at the old Union Pacific Depot.

A downturn in collections from the 4 percent bed tax used to support the bureau, as well as an error in which a line item to operate the center in North Lawrence was omitted from the bureau’s budget, prompted Tuesday’s request.

“There is a benefit to the city, in terms of us having staff there,” said Judy Billings, director of the bureau.

The vote was unanimous. More than 13,000 people visited the center in 2001.

Stormwater projects win commission’s OK

The Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday authorized the issuance of $7.7 million in bonds to pay for stormwater projects.

The money will be used to improve stormwater drainage on 21st Street, from Stewart Avenue to Naismith Drive; 13th and Oregon streets; 21st Street and Barker Avenue; the Haskell Basin, which is south of the Douglas County Public Works buildings east of 23rd and Barker streets; and a creek bordering the Orchards Golf Course on 15th Street.