Simons: How will downtown fill the needs of a growing Lawrence?

What will downtown Lawrence look like 25 or 50 years from now? Who is doing the planning today to make sure the vibrancy and economic soundness of downtown will be even stronger than it is today, and how will Lawrence remain competitive with nearby large shopping areas in Kansas City and Topeka?

Downtown Lawrence is confined to a relatively small area, and there are limits to where it can expand. The Kansas River cuts off expansion to the north; Old West Lawrence prohibits growth on the west side; South Park always should remain a protected area, thereby curbing growth to the south; and many east Lawrence property owners are not eager to have commercial development move into their area.

So what is going to happen? Years ago, the battle over a “cornfield mall” was fought, with some city leaders and some downtown merchants saying the proposal would hurt downtown business and the downtown area. Then, those promoting the mall, which would have been east of Iowa Street and south of 31st Street, said they could change plans and build a mall in downtown Lawrence along the east side of Massachusetts between Seventh and Ninth streets.

Again, this was opposed by many in the downtown area, as well as others in the community, who said such a project would destroy the facades of many historical or attractive buildings.

Once more, the mall developers said they would move the project a bit farther east, thus preserving the facades. But again, city officials, merchants and others organized strong opposition to the plan. Opposition to a shopping mall, at any location, was due to various reasons, some selfish and some genuine.

So what happened? Today, there is more square footage of retail development in the general area of the proposed “cornfield mall” than was called for in the original mall plans.

Would it have strengthened the downtown area if some of these retailers had moved into the downtown? Would they have generated more retail traffic, shoppers, etc., for downtown merchants? It’s a matter of debate.

One thing is certain, however, and that is there isn’t much space for any major retail development in the downtown area, and there is strong opposition by some to making any more space available. This is true even in light of the fact Lawrence is going to grow and many want Lawrence to remain a separate community with strong retailers and employers rather than becoming part of Kansas City. They want Lawrence to retain its identity.

There are any number of stores with 25- or 50-foot fronts and many bars and eating places along Massachusetts Street, but where could a large retailer locate and provide an easy, one-story shopping environment with convenient parking? Anyone wanting to build a major retail facility in downtown Lawrence now would be forced to build a multistory building, which most shoppers do not like, and there would be little, if any, adjacent parking. What are the chances of a tall downtown retail building getting the OK from various city review boards and meeting historic preservation standards?

It is known a national hospitality developer is studying the possibility of a major facility on the outskirts of Lawrence some distance from any retail shopping. The project also would be designed to provide convention space.

At the present time, this possible development doesn’t look too promising for downtown retailers, and current conditions don’t look promising for any large downtown development. For example, where could a large supermarket, with ample parking, build in the downtown area?

If that’s the case, how long can the current downtown continue to provide a viable environment for merchants? Granted, there are many unique shops and few empty buildings, but what happens if retail, hospitality, convention and recreation ventures are built on the city’s outskirts?

Will city planners block such development and penalize the entire city? And, if city officials should deny such requests, what does the future look like for a strong local business climate?

What is the thinking of current city planners, and who are the planners? What is their vision of downtown Lawrence 25 or 50 years from now? What will be the footprint of the downtown area? Shouldn’t current residents know what is being planned, what limits will be imposed and where the retail community to serve a larger city is expected to be located?

Thinking about making major investments in the city, which would be good for both the city and the investors, shouldn’t there be some kind of road map of what city planners have in mind? It is unfair, as well as deceitful, to suggest one plan of action and development and then, several years into the plan, have city officials, under pressure from various interests, change plans in midstream.

Times change, and it is important to be flexible, but builders and developers cannot be expected to make major investments with a blindfold over their eyes, an open billfold and no idea of what city leaders want their city to be to meet the inevitable competition from nearby cities.

Now is the time to be thinking about what downtown needs for future growth and development and what will make the city an even finer community. If it is to grow, as it must, where will this growth take place?

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In light of the recent tragic sexual attacks and murders of several young girls in other states, it is interesting, as well as puzzling, that there has not been more interest or concern expressed by local residents about the more than 60 known, registered sex offenders living in Lawrence. Does this mean local residents aren’t worried or concerned about these individuals and the safety of children, or what? Would they be comfortable with 120 or more offenders? How many unknown or unregistered sex offenders are living in Lawrence?

What advice would residents of communities in Florida and other states where young girls have been sexually assaulted and killed have to offer to Lawrence residents? Or would Lawrence residents listen?