Bauer Farm project takes step forward

City commissioners gave another set of approvals to a long-talked-about development at the northeast corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive.

Commissioners agreed to change several conditions on the Bauer Farm project, which is slated to be a mix of retail, office and residential units designed to have the feel of an older-style neighborhood.

Commissioners agreed to give the project an additional 10,000 square feet of retail space, after developers said it would help the financial feasibility of the project. Commissioners also agreed to remove conditions that prohibited a retail liquor store or any restaurant that sold liquor-by-the-drink from being on the site.

Those conditions were approved by a previous City Commission, but commissioners on Tuesday said they were comfortable that the selling of alcohol could be responsibly done at the site. The site is near Free State High School, but is far enough away to meet the state laws governing alcohol sales near a school.

Commissioners approved the changes on a 4-1 vote. Commissioner Boog Highberger was opposed to allowing the additional 10,000 square feet of retail space. He the intersection already had more retail space than was prudent.

New roundabout set for SE Lawrence

Commissioners unanimously moved ahead on a new roundabout for southeast Lawrence.

Commissioners gave final approval to a benefit district that will build a roundabout at the intersection O’Connell Drive and East 25th Terrace. The benefit district is being created to build East 25th Terrace, which will serve new residential development in the area south and east of the 23rd Street and O’Connell Road area.

The city won’t be paying to build the new roundabout. Developers will pay the entire cost of the project, which is estimated to be $2.9 million for the roundabout and the new road.