To the editor:

The developer of the proposed Airport Industrial Park is asking for public funds to pay for the extension of city water and sewer service to the proposed site. They are also asking for the public to pay for off-site storm water drainage improvements to prevent stormwater runoff from moving into North Lawrence. The public is also being asked to fund improvements to U.S. 24-40 and County Road E 1500, Teepee Junction and the Kansas Turnpike entrance road with the addition of turn lanes and traffic signals and the acquisition of land required for these improvements.

Despite the magnitude of the public investment being requested, no estimate of these expenses has been made public. It is time for these threshold questions to be answered: How much is this going to cost us? How much will the city and county benefit from the proposed industrial park?

Only through public disclosure, can the city and county leaders make an informed decision and the public participate in an informed debate.

Rich Bireta,

Lawrence