DiVilbiss calls for better planning for growth

Like many candidates for Lawrence City Commission, Greg DiVilbiss likes to talk about Lawrence’s growth.

“I want to prepare for progress,” he said at a recent candidate forum. “It’s evident we’re going to grow. It’s just a question of how.”

But more than the other candidates, DiVilbiss’ day job is growth. He’s a developer responsible for two major developments on the city’s west side: the shopping center on the southwest corner of Sixth and Wakarusa, and the Wakarusa Corporate Centre at 18th and Wakarusa.

DiVilbiss says the city can do more planning for growth than it’s currently doing. He says new areas of town should be “master planned” beyond the general outlines listed in the city-county long-range plan, Horizon 2020.

“If we can design a given area as a whole instead of one project at a time, I believe we will have more cohesiveness in these developed areas,” he said. “In a master plan, the commercial, residential, office space and green space all work together to create an attractive yet functional site.”

DiVilbiss praises the city’s current leadership for how Lawrence’s growth has been handled so far.

“It is my belief that the current leadership is doing everything it can to make sure Lawrence remains a balanced community,” he said. “The economic development leaders are helping us build a better Lawrence by bringing jobs and working on local expansion of existing companies. This is important so that we can expand our tax base and lower costs for all of us.”

This is one of 11 city commission candidate profiles that will run in alphabetical order online each weekday, Monday through Friday, through Feb. 21.6News will provide an accompanying video profile at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. each weeknight through Feb. 21 on Sunflower Broadband’s cable Channel 6.Video and text profiles on the candidates will be compiled through the series online on our City commission candidates site.

When it comes to balancing the city budget during difficult economic times, DiVilbiss follows the campaign path of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and refuses to choose between service cuts or higher taxes — instead calling for a top-to-bottom government review.

“Beyond that, we will have to take a hard look at our situation,” he said. “Each program that is in place is there for a good reason. You really impact individuals on a personal level with cuts.

“At the same time, tax increases in a down economy will impact us at a whole different level,” he said. “We may be facing tax increases at the state level as well, making it more difficult for citizens and companies alike.

“Difficult decisions are going to need to be made after options are looked at. I can make those decisions.”

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