Commission approves plans near Oread Center

Lawrence City Commissioners on Tuesday approved plans for three public improvement projects within and around the Oread Center development.

The projects are sanitary sewer improvements in and near the Oread Center at 15th Street and Wakarusa Drive, construction of Research Park Drive from 15th Street, and construction of 16th Street from Wakarusa to Research Park drives.

Both road construction projects will include property acquisition, traffic calming devices, bicycle facilities, sidewalks and other necessary improvements, commissioners were told.

A benefit district made up of the New Oread Group, Alvamar Inc., and Dr. Mark Edwards will pay for 100 percent of the project costs, which total $1.132 million, said Sam Campbell, of the New Oread Group.

Also Tuesday, the commission also approved waiving its normal 25 percent upfront costs to the benefit district on the three projects. The total cost will be amortized over a 10-year period.

Elder issues: Seniors’ legislature to meet in Topeka

Pharmaceutical costs, in-home care for the elderly and disposition of tobacco-settlement proceeds will be among the topics discussed this week at a meeting of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature.

The legislature is scheduled to meet today, Thursday and Friday at the Capitol in Topeka. The session will include committee meetings, floor discussions and final voting on what legislation should be recommended to the Kansas Legislature.

Chuck Gaffney will represent Douglas County in the legislature, which is composed of 125 delegates each more than 60 years old.

Other topics on the agenda include community mental health service centers, long-term care insurance, long-term care ombudsmen and budget concerns for the Kansas Department on Aging.

Education: Students take field trip, learn about environment

Lawrence and Baldwin school children met with members of the Douglas County Conservation District for a field day outing Tuesday.

The students learned about forestry, groundwater, grass and soil at a farm south of Lawrence.

The Douglas County Extension co-sponsored the event.