Downtown Lawrence Inc.
Three questions with ... Dan Hughes, owner of the Sunflower Bike Shop
Dan Hughes, in addition to owning Sunflower Bike Shop, is on the board of Downtown Lawrence Inc. He discusses the future of DLI. Enlarge video
City leaders examine downtown marketing strategies
City leaders consider a change to marketing for downtown Lawrence. Enlarge video
The word is definitely out about downtown Lawrence.
An estimated 20,000 people are expected to converge along Massachusetts Street today for the annual Downtown Lawrence Sidewalk Sale.
It is the other days of the year that Lawrence city commissioners aren't so sure about.
"I continually hear people in our community say, 'I just don't go downtown,'" Mayor Sue Hack said. "That is very disconcerting to me."
So much so that city commissioners are now rethinking their longtime investment in Downtown Lawrence Inc., the nonprofit organization that promotes downtown. As city commissioners work to create a 2008 city budget, they've set aside $45,000 for the marketing of the downtown Lawrence business district.
In past years, that money has automatically gone to Downtown Lawrence Inc. to spend on marketing efforts. But in the 2008 budget, city commissioners made it clear that they may give the money to a different organization - such as the Convention and Visitors Bureau - to market the area. Or the city may choose to transfer the money to a city department and make the department responsible for marketing downtown.
In other words, the city wants to keep its options open until it can have a discussion with Downtown Lawrence Inc. leaders.
"I think we want to make sure we're all on the same page when it comes to marketing downtown," Commissioner Rob Chestnut said.
Dan Hughes - a member of the DLI board and owner of Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop - said downtown Lawrence leaders were happy to have the discussion. He said he thought the city got a good bang for its buck by investing in Downtown Lawrence Inc. because the city's money could be used to leverage additional contributions from the organization's 115 members. He also said he thought the organization could point to a string of successes, such as its role in the downtown Christmas parade, the sidewalk sale, and the downtown's new summer film festival.
"I think this board we have in place currently is really working hard on a lot of issues," Hughes said. "I think there has been a lot of good work done."
Commissioners said they ultimately may agree. Hack said recent reports from Downtown Lawrence Inc. have been more encouraging. But commissioners also want to hear more ideas on how the group could bring additional events to downtown.
"Downtown is such a unique venue that really can't be replicated anywhere else," Chestnut said. "We have to take advantage of that."
Hack said she hoped to schedule a study session to discuss Downtown Lawrence Inc. funding issues sometime in August.
Comments
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Luxor (anonymous) says…
I don't go downtown -- or take visitors downtown -- because it's unpleasant and scary being hassled by the homeless people.
monkeyhawk (anonymous) says…
"I continually hear people in our community say, 'I just don't go downtown,'" Mayor Sue Hack said. "That is very disconcerting to me."
Mayor Hack cannot force citizens to go downtown, I think that is what bothers her most. Downtown is not convenient for a lot of people, does not offer the choices or the prices. Does offer vomit on the sidewalks, dirty streets, freaky panhandlers, and lack of parking. Add that to the entitlement and protectionism of a privately owned district of the city, it could also create a little resentment. Maybe some purposely avoid downtown as their own personal act of protest.
Why aren't the conditions of the streets disconcerting? Why aren't the concerns of the citizens regarding the purchase of the toxic waste dump for an invisible price tag disconcerting? Why is it not disconcerting that our city is stagnant, and our population dwindling, while our taxes continue to spiral out of control?
Maybe the mayor needs to visit the DMV to hear some of the complaints from the little people, just as Mayor Amyx did last year. What is disconcerting to me is the disconnection of some of our elected officials.
fabian_zimbabwe (anonymous) says…
You must be referring to Topeka. I absolutely love downtown Lawrence...visited there innumerable times in recent years with my family. It's extremely pleasant, and we always have a great time. Living in KC, it makes for a very nice "road trip" without having to travel a great distance.
KS (anonymous) says…
Leave the dogs at home.
frankwiles (anonymous) says…
I know some people don't like downtown or are annoyed/scared by certain elements that hang around downtown. But the fact is, if downtown weakens or fails, so does this town. I don't know ANYONE who lives in Lawrence because we've got a Target, Wal-Mart, or BestBuy. You can find those in any town. If you don't like certain elements just try going to another major cities downtown. We've got it very very good.
I've been in St. Louis on business since Monday, and I can tell you being in traffic for 2 hours each way to go approximately the distance from downtown to Wal-mart isn't much fun, even if the streets don't have pot holes. I've been here a week and I have not yet once, on any street, but even able to attain the speed limit. It is by far out most important resource and should be protected as such.
Downtown and KU are the main reasons people live here. Not being employed by KU or a student, if downtown falters I for one am outa here.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
The downtown landlords want the Lawrence taxpayers to bail them out with grants for 75% of their fire sprinklers, property tax rebates, advertising dollars and more. Mass Street landlords are charging way too much for their retail space and the local merchant exodus will continue until they begin to lower rents, That will be hard considering many landlords were convinced to refinance at much higher values and pocketed cash. Problem is those lenders are unwilling to reduce payments on those loans and the city promptly raised their property valuations and taxes. I don't begrudge them making a profit but I'll be damned if I want to bail them out now.
Honestly, I'm done with them. The City can and does force me to subsidize their private businesses but they can't force me to shop there. I'm taking my business to non-downtown merchants who aren't collecting corporate welfare to cover for their speculation and over extending their mortgages.
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/apr...
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/jun...
Funny, it's always "Our Downtown" when the bills are due but when they deposit the rent checks it's always in their bank account!
herman (anonymous) says…
"I continually hear people in our community say, 'I just don't go downtown,'" Mayor Sue Hack said. "That is very disconcerting to me."
Sue; let's talk about the 2 reasons more people don't visit downtown.
1. The prices are too high. Usually not the fault of the business owner, but of the landlord.
2. It's a scary place. As long as the homeless control the streets the way they do in our "beautiful downtown", it is safer to go to downtown Topeka or KC!
Oracle_of_Rhode (anonymous) says…
If you hate downtown, as many right-wing posters on this forum do, then you hate Lawrence and ought to consider moving elsewhere.
I think the city must ensure the success of downtown via whatever means necessary, including bankrolling this association and barring the door to psychopathic corporations like Wal-Mart that seek to destroy downtown, much like 21st century Quantrills.
Giving the money to the CVB is akin to throwing it down a hole. Since the CVB markets Lawrence to out-of-town groups and visitors, it does not have a place marketing downtown to Lawrencians and others in the KC-Topeka corridor.
I wonder to what extent the city commissioners who are backed by Wal-Mart and associated developers are behind this move to strip downtown of marketing resources. This could be the beginning of the end of old Lawrence, if the Wal-Mart commission gets its way.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
"I think the city must ensure the success of downtown via whatever means necessary, including bankrolling this association and barring the door to psychopathic corporations like Wal-Mart that seek to destroy downtown, much like 21st century Quantrills."
Since when should private businesses and landlords receive City of Lawrence's tax dollars to "ensure" their success and protect them from their greed and private speculations? It's absurd. This kind of corporate welfare protects them from losses of their own making. WalMart is NOT the reason they are in trouble.
Very few downtown businesses sell anything that WalMart sells, certainly none of the coffee shops, restaurants, bars, head shops, used bookstores, ice cream stores, or wet shelter. Those that save money by shopping at WalMart for groceries, back to school supplies, automotive supplies, TV's, computers, and other electronics, will have more money to spend downtown. Even those stores that sell similar goods like boutique clothes, housewares, and bicycles for instance, don't sell similar brands. Those that buy their clothes at Urban Outfitters, GAP, Sunflower Outdoor, and Bay Leaf won't find identical brands at WalMart.
You can choose to shop Beautiful Downtown Corporate Welfare and Wet Shelter if you like and good luck to you finding parking, but I am forced to subsidize those businesses with my tax dollars already at a time when the City doesn't take in enough taxes to pay for it's current obligations and maintain it's infrastructure. While I used to prefer buying downtown I am sick of their greed and entitlement attitude and will take my business elsewhere whenever possible. Increasingly, I am not the only one.
BTW be careful what you wish for. You think you have budget shortfalls now just wait till just 5% of those "right wing conservatives" that "hate Lawrence" decide to call it quits and are out of here! I want every business to succeed beyond their wildest dreams as long as their success isn't guaranteed by the cities tax dollars. The more they succeed the more taxes they get to pay to, not take from, Lawrence's budget. The more they pay their own way, the better off we all will be.
toefungus (anonymous) says…
There is only one way for the downtown to be viable. The merchants there must be able to make a reasonable profit. I am not sure what kind of business downtown is profitable, but based upon new ones going in, it appears the sale of alcohol is key. If taxes, rents, cost of merchandise, and parking, are too high, then you need big margins on each sale. Really, there is very little a government can do to help if they are not willing to keep taxes and parking costs low, maintain the streets in the area, and police to keep the order.
So, maybe they could use the downtown inc money to rebate some taxes. That would help. So would a cap on property taxes.
Jaminrawk (anonymous) says…
Downtown is what makes Lawrence unique. Some of the best restaurants, music venues and bars are located downtown. Saying that the homeless people scare you is stupid. Go to any city shopping area and you'll see homeless people. Hell, Beverly Hills has tons of homeless people. Maybe if the city comission would put more thought into what is missing from downtown instead of supporting a second Wal-Mart, downtown could be improved. There is too much history in that area to let it go by the wayside.
On a slightly related note, has any city commissioner done a "180" as fast as Chestnut has in the past few months? I feel cheated that I voted for the guy.
x96merrill3 (anonymous) says…
"There is too much history in that area to let it go by the wayside."
--That would be your example of the afore mentioned entitlement and protectionism.
KUDB99 (anonymous) says…
Downtown is a great place, particularly with some of the destination places, like Free State Brewery and Liberty Hall. However, many of the things that make Lawrence' downtown great have already left. Unfortunately, our town has fallen victim to the great mass homogeneity that is the US now. Now that we have the Gap, Urban Outfitters, Abercrombie, et. al. on Mass, we now have lost many of the merchants that made downtown unique.
The homeless issue has been a little blown out of proportion, but is still an issue that needs to be handled. I definitely prefer to not bring my kids around places where we may get hassled by homeless, and I know I'm not alone in that sentiment.
Lastly, the person that made the suggestion about better shopping hours from the downtown merchants is exactly right. Many of us work in KC or Topeka, and would love to shop at local merchants, but simply can't b/c there is no time to make it back before they close their doors at 5:00pm. I realize that this adds cost to the businesses to maintain later hours, but it sure would be nice.
Godot (anonymous) says…
Just eliminate the $45K for promotion of downtown. All the marketing in the world is not going to bring more people downtown. Clean up the sidewalks, patrol the streets, and get some shops that sell stuff that people need.
Citizen (anonymous) says…
i have an idea.. why dont the stores pay for their own marketing?
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
Lawr. downtown is unique, for Kansas. Homeless are not a problem, try Chic. downtown or any other larger city, it's a lot worse. It's just that you don't need something from the SouthWest, or a glass bobble or some other boutique trinket everyday. There's no anchor business downtown. Nothing to consistently draw people to downtown except downtown itself. Food and alcohol are the biggest consistent attractions. That's clear by just walking around. No amount of special spending can replace the attraction of a valid business with valid products.
Godot (anonymous) says…
Shopping at Weavers is about the only reason I have for going downtown.
MyName (anonymous) says…
If you had RTFA you'd have seen that downtown businesses do pay into the marketing organization, Citizen, but the city has an interest in promoting downtown too which is why they are also sinking some money into it.
I love downtown, and I go there very regularly. Of course I also live within walking distance of it. It seems like Downtown, Inc. hit upon some good ideas, certainly better than anything I've seen from the chamber of commerce since I've been living here, but I haven't payed attention to much of anything except the film festival and a few posters and such.
lunacydetector (anonymous) says…
all i can say is.......it must've been the recent ferrari parade. who can afford a ferrari anyway?
machiavelli (anonymous) says…
Give me a break. Dogs and homeless people make downtown scary? Downtown Lawrence, certainly the most beautiful downtown area in Kansas, and arguably, anywhere? I've been all over the world, twice, and I can't think of a better place to live than Lawrence--in large part because of the downtown area.
Get a life, people. If you would rather spend your tax money on a stadium in KC or to "subsidize" the suburban misery that is Johnson County, rather than trying to preserve our (underline "our," as opposed to someone else's) downtown, then the solution is simple. Move there. Take your belongings, your SUV's, your spoiled kids (you want to talk 'entitlement,' we can have that discussion), go buy yourself a stamped-out, identical looking file cabinet of a house in Olathe and live there. We don't want you here.
As for the developers who will supposedly "hurt" Lawrence if they go...well, see ya! Don't let it hit you on the ass. This is a college town, and its fortunes will rise and fall with KU. A couple of greedy developers leaving isn't gonna hurt one little bit. In fact, it'll help.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
":said Chicken Little to Turkey Lurkey."
Best line of the day!
packrat (anonymous) says…
I have an idea, instead of throwing the money down the rathole of downtown, why don't we use it to try and set up another soccer event at the fields in SW Lawrence?
machiavelli (anonymous) says…
Simple solution for those who don't like the way we do things here, our traditions, and the things we support.
Move.
You'd obviously be happier somewhere else.
Ghost78 (anonymous) says…
Downtown is great, and if you can't deal with the homeless or occasional dog poop, then maybe you aren't the well-adjusted adult you think you are. Parking isn't lousy once you give up the expectation of parking directly in front of the store you want to shop at. Going downtown is about stretching your legs a bit, looking at the window displays, taking advantage of the extremely diverse retail shops (Au Marche, Sunflower Bike Shop, The Toy Store, etc.) and just unplugging for an hour. Downtown is never going to be an "everyday" retail spot like a Wal-Mart, but its an excellent destination spot, just look at the current retail trends being rolled out up at the Legends. Malls are out, outdoor proximity shopping is in, and downtown Lawrence will do just fine.
machiavelli (anonymous) says…
Ghost78...exactly.
Luxor (anonymous) says…
Ghost: one of the downtown homeless recently called my visiting 82 year old mother a "@($&@ whore" when she walked by him without giving him money. Tell her that she's not a well adjusted adult because she won't go down to Mass. St. ever again.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
They should go back to promoting Lawrence as the, "City of the Arts," rather than the lame "Art of the City."
I think I just save Lawrence $45K.
machiavelli (anonymous) says…
"Or, if you prefer to live in a place where the only shopping choices you have are located downtown, try Oskaloosa. They'd love to have you there"
[does best John Wayne impersonation] Well, I don't reckon I'd fit in very well down there with the bible thumpin' and gun-totin' crowd. I think I'll just hitch my horse to the post down there at the Eldridge, and take myself a well earned ciesta. So long, pilgrim.
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
Downtown Lawr., get a good espresso, wood-oven baked bread, fresh beer, great fresh oysters and say hello to a guy in a sheet. Where else can you do that all in one trip?
Tychoman (anonymous) says…
Pilgrim how many times have you and other right-wingers pulled the same "love it or leave it" card? You don't have any room to talk.
machiavelli (anonymous) says…
Tychoman (Anonymous) says:
Pilgrim how many times have you and other right-wingers pulled the same "love it or leave it" card? You don't have any room to talk.
Don't sweat it. Anybody who would seriously, and with a straight face, select the incredibly lame handle "Pilgrim" isn't really worthy of further discussion.
Ghost78 (anonymous) says…
Luxor (Anonymous) says:
Ghost: one of the downtown homeless recently called my visiting 82 year old mother a "@($&@ whore" when she walked by him without giving him money. Tell her that she's not a well adjusted adult because she won't go down to Mass. St. ever again.
I think that's a fine example of characterizing an entire shopping district by a bad incident you personally experienced.
Last Christmas, I had a bad experience in the airport. A man called my wife a bad mother because our infant daughter cried during final approach. I was angry at first, because my wife's feelings were hurt. I was embarassed that my family was involved in a public scene. Now, I just think that guy had issues and took out his feelings on my family, so I pity him. If I followed your logic, I'd be writing to Southwest Airlines and telling them I would never fly their airline again because they allow other people (who might talk to me) on their planes. That makes sense in Luxor-land, right?
I hate to sound coarse, but you are letting your wounded pride block out the most historic and wonderful area of the town you live in.
Ghost78 (anonymous) says…
24 June 2006 at 12:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Luxor (Anonymous) says:
I have been harassed by homeless men the last three times I went downtown on Mass. St. I won't go to Mass. any more -- I've had it. One homeless guy called my mother a "slut" when she declined to give him any money. She won't be shopping downtown any longer, either. The homeless on Mass. St. are a much bigger threat to our downtown than the Gap, Starbucks, or the waterline project. People are going to stop coming in from KC to shop and when football season starts and out of town guests are subjected to being panhandled and verbally harassed by these people, families are going to stop coming from out of town. I'm begging the city commission -- please, please, do something about these people destroying our downtown. I don't feel safe on Mass. any more.
By the way, it seems we define "recently" a bit differently as well ...
merrill (anonymous) says…
All retail is subsidized by taxpayers and so are the house builders. Housing has not been paying back. That should be a commission concern.
Giving it to the Convention and Visitors Bureau is giving more to the Chamber.
New Shopping hours for downtown... 11AM - 8:30 PM?
I would love to see more downtown events. Schedule more art fairs,biking and perhaps a brewfest. How about an outdoor lawn and garden show downtown? Music for all events as the food is downtown.
Tourism dollars are good dollars that require no huge investments in new infrastructure.
Downtown is charming and fun however it will require a boost from time time.
pelliott (anonymous) says…
Sue HACK , weel lets say she has three friends, they like going to kansas city. so they call her up and say I don't like going to downtown. All she has to do is tell those three friends they don't need to tell her that everytime they go to overland park..She really aught to get to know people who like living here. She won't. Our Downtown is great, wouldn't go today, even though it looked like fun. The trees are nice, good bus system, Great places to eat, good sidewalk cafes, good shops. the 10th and 11th block is due for a shine up. The 6oo block was literally killed by ljw putting there butt there. Creepy putting their loading dock on the entrance to down town from the north. I thought they should not of been alllowed to do it.
merrill (anonymous) says…
Well then who is keeping all of the parking spaces filled on Mass,Vermont and New Hampshire from about noon till whenever? It ain't the homeless and I don't see huge numbers of drunken KU kids. I have seen developers and commissioners enjoy themselves so it can't be only KU kids.
The Free State, the new Eldredge Hotel Bar is a busy place and does the cafe serve a huge piece of carrot cake or what? Most establishments are busy.
Our friends and I frequently meet downtown with our families to shop,have a brew, water or juice for the kids,buy books,board games, doll clothes and wonder around downtown. The ice cream shop is a favorite stop. Many times we do not head home until 10PM. Many Lawrence families are strolling around downtown.
The 8th street establishments seem to stay busy as well.
Our kids still shop the American Eagle,Browns Shoes and the Buckle not to mention Sunflower Bike from time to time. Even Weavers catches our eye from time to time.
BUTTTT more events downtown could be prosperous and fun.
I say stop the Bush style scare tactics.
dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
I must not look like a generous person. I have only been approached by a homeless person once for money. On the other hand, at Dillons on 23rd and HyVee on Clinton Parkway I have been approached. I feel perfectly safe downtown, and the food at Aimees is the best in town. Found some nice bargains today too. We also won a $50 prize from Kizer Cummings at the first downtown movie. We couldn't make the 2nd one, but we'll be there on Aug.2. It was sooo much fun.
somebodynew (anonymous) says…
I have lots of thoughts on this topic, but will limit it to one. WTF - love it or leave????? I thought that went out with the Viet Nam protest time.
WHY can't people point out things that need changed??? Everything changes and sometimes there are things that can be made better. Look at the suggestions (no, not all are good) and see what should be changed.
To me, people just accepting what is equals apathy, which we constantly hear about on election time. Yes the downtown is historic and GREAT, but to do nothing about perceived problems will do more to kill it than ANY store on the outskirts of town.
dogbait (anonymous) says…
I have to admit, Lawrence downtown has been losing some of its "unique character" for sometime. I am not sure what it is but I still love to get a Copperhead brew at the freestate brewery. If that place shuts down, I am outta here! As for the homeless, if everyone quits giving them money, maybe they wouldn't keep asking?
merrill (anonymous) says…
"Pilgrim (Anonymous) says:
merrill (Anonymous) says:
I say stop the Bush style scare tactics.
********************************************
Oops, Richard, there go all your Wal-Mart arguments."
Economic displacement is real Bush is bogus...
This downtown is still a good place to hang out,shop,dine,grab a beverage and is not so scary at all. Shut down Last Call and the Coyote Club life would really mellow out. Some of our street musicians can produce good sounds. Human beings on Mass Street seem to be enjoying themselves.
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
Landlords charge too much rent downtown.
Godot (anonymous) says…
Landlords charge too much rent because the county raised the valuations of the properties by 200% or more.
Godot (anonymous) says…
Merrill wrote: "Shut down Last Call and the Coyote Club"
Huh? The Coyote Club is not downtown. What are you talking about?
Newport (anonymous) says…
I cannot believe what I am reading! I lived in Lawrence for many years and a year and a half ago left for Wichita so my husband could pursue his master's degree at WSU. There is not a single day i don't wish I was in downtown Lawrence. I dream of Free State and eating at one of my favorite places like La Parilla or Zen Zero. Trust me, you have NO IDEA how great of a city you have in Lawrence. My husband and I are counting down the days we can leave this miserable city of Wichita with backward laws and absolutely no character what so ever. Not to mention dirty and over run by massive chain stores and restaurants. You want a city that is horrible to live in, get on the turnpike and travel 2.5 hours south and there you have it. Please realize what an amazing and unique gem you have in downtown Lawrence and utilize it!
packrat (anonymous) says…
Wichita is a small city. The Riverside area is what east Lawrence wishes it could be. The River Festival is a wonderful event.
The city has many museums and art gallerys. You just have to know where to look.
The city also has at least 1 ice rink.
machiavelli (anonymous) says…
"I cannot believe what I am reading! I lived in Lawrence for many years and a year and a half ago left for Wichita so my husband could pursue his master's degree at WSU. There is not a single day i don't wish I was in downtown Lawrence. I dream of Free State and eating at one of my favorite places like La Parilla or Zen Zero. Trust me, you have NO IDEA how great of a city you have in Lawrence. My husband and I are counting down the days we can leave this miserable city of Wichita with backward laws and absolutely no character what so ever. Not to mention dirty and over run by massive chain stores and restaurants. You want a city that is horrible to live in, get on the turnpike and travel 2.5 hours south and there you have it. Please realize what an amazing and unique gem you have in downtown Lawrence and utilize it!"
Great points, I felt the same way when I moved away and back.
Note to all you mouth-breathing, moving-your-lips-when-reading cretins who can't see the obvious: Move away from our city. Please. We love our downtown and will do what it takes to support it. We don't mind the occasional homeless person, or dog, or whomever or whatever wants to share it. And generally speaking, if somebody says "bad words" to us on the street, we, like a previous poster suggested, are mature enough to simply ignore it (unless our mommy is with us, then we tell our mommy).
Please come to the realization--before it's too late--that you only have a limited number of years on this planet and, as such, it is unwise to spend those years in a place that does not nurture your personal, professional, and religious life.
MOVE.
dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
Parking in downtown is bad? People will go to malls and park the equivalent of 2 blocks from the entrance (or drive around for an hour until a spot opens), then walk all over a building, minus trees, birds and sky. Then walk back to their car hoping it hasn't been broken into or hoping they aren't mugged on the way. There are many parking lots along New Hampshire and Vermont, and most stores have rear entrances. Strolling along Mass with the sky above is being reproduced in many new shopping centers, like Zona Rosa and the Legends. The reason downtown is losing it's atmosphere is the huge corporate stores that overcharge for clothes you can buy anywhere. I don't mind paying more money for unique clothes, but not a tshirt. The former "Fields" is selling for a million and half. Only the developers can afford prices like that, and then local merchants can't afford to be there. Downtown is turning into another Legends.