It would be tragic if a lack of initiative or creativity causes Lawrence and Douglas County to lose the opportunity to reclaim and develop the former Farmland Industries property east of Lawrence.

The community is in desperate need of new industrial space, and the Farmland property’s location on Kansas Highway 10 puts it in a prime position for that kind of development. A draft proposal to redevelop the 467-acre site calls for a variety of private and public uses, including a business park, open space and possibly some limited retail.

County officials started the ball rolling on the Farmland project, but it was taken over by city officials about two years ago. The future of the site is in the hands of the court dealing with Farmland’s bankruptcy. The city submitted a bid on the property last July, but says, despite its best efforts, it has received no response.

Douglas County commissioners expressed some frustration this week with the lack of progress on the proposal, and at least one commissioner said the city should be working harder to push the effort. One of their fears is that while the city waits for action on its bid, funds that could be used to remediate any environmental damage at the site may be dwindling. If sufficient money isn’t available as part of the deal, it may not work financially for the city or county.

Even a minor amount of dissension between city and county officials is bad news for the Farmland project. County commissioners said this week that it was a mistake for the city to pursue the Farmland project on its own and they were willing to get involved in the project again. City officials should welcome that participation. This project should have the full support and attention of the city and the county, as well as their economic development agent, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.

County Commissioner Charles Jones had it right when he said this week, “There’s nothing on anybody’s plate right now that should be more important than industrial development.”

New business is needed to build the local tax base if Lawrence and Douglas County hope to even maintain local services without significant tax increases. The Farmland property is a golden opportunity to address that need. The effort to acquire and redevelop that site deserves a united, full-court press by local officials.