Plans to build a new Walgreens on the corner of Clinton Parkway and Crossgate Drive cleared one significant hurdle this week.
Lawrence-Douglas County planning commissioners on Monday narrowly recommended approval of a rezoning that opens the door for a nearly 15,000-square-foot drug store to be built on the southwestern corner of the intersection.
Planning commissioners approved the rezoning on a 5-4 vote after hearing a recommendation from planning staff members that the rezoning should be denied.
But as is the case with most planning commission decisions, the Lawrence City Commission will get the final say on the matter. City commissioners will be asked to give final approval to the rezoning in the next few weeks.
Comments
LJWorld.com doesn’t necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy. Also, read about banned accounts and harassing comments.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
"City commissioners will be asked to give final approval to the rezoning in the next few weeks."Fear not-- the rubberstamp awaits.
merrill (anonymous) says…
Over retailing/economic displacement in Lawrence continues... Look forward to more cost of living tax/fee increases as result.
countrygirl (anonymous) says…
Anyone heard what's going in at 27th and Iowa?
SettingTheRecordStraight (anonymous) says…
I'm looking forward to the new Walgreens.
honestone (anonymous) says…
"Planning commissioners approved the rezoning on a 5-4 vote after hearing a recommendation from planning staff members that the rezoning should be denied."Business as usual in Larryville
oldvet (anonymous) says…
Build it and we will come... of course, running some specials and great coupons would also help...
cato_the_elder (anonymous) says…
Bozo, just out of curiosity, while I can readily understand people's opposition to businesses locating new stores at certain proposed locations, what's wrong with this one? If the market can support the proposed store there, what's wrong with that? Additionally, since it's another place for folks to purchase things that will benefit their health, what's wrong with that? Are you simply opposed to any national chain store doing business in Lawrence anywhere? Or, are you opposed to all businesses doing business of any kind in Lawrence?
Boeing (anonymous) says…
God forbid people not have to travel terribly far to get essentials such as prescription drugs...People talk about how essential the T is...maybe it wouldn't be if some folks weren't so against big business setting up shop in Lawrence. Show me a mom and pop drug store that can compete in the sheer number of available prescriptions that Walgreens can, and I'll change my mind. For now, I'll be visiting this Walgreens when it is up and running.
merrill (anonymous) says…
There is a large NEW drug store at 23rd and Clinton Parkway. Target and Wal-Mart have a drug operationHy-Vee Has a drug store.
merrill (anonymous) says…
23rd street dillons has a pharmacy
dandelion (anonymous) says…
So we will have 3 Walgreens and 2 WalMarts, and people keep saying that we should be happy that we are growing. We are a city now, not a small town. Yet, these same people will tell you that we are just a small town and don't need a bus system like a big city. Man, talk about flippinjg and flopping.
aeroscout17 (anonymous) says…
At least they weren't going to tear down a historic structure like they were planning to do in Topeka (just so they could move a couple of hundred yard and be right on the corner). I hate to sound like an alarmist, but for those of you that think Walmart is the devil, check into Walgreen's past.
fu7il3 (anonymous) says…
", these same people will tell you that we are just a small town and don't need a bus system like a big city."If no one uses a bus system like they do in the big city, they shouldn't have a bus system. If no one uses the Walgreen's, it will close down. It's just logic.
HootyWho (anonymous) says…
wish some business that paid a living wage would come to Lawrence
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
I have no particular opinion about this Walgreen's, one way or the other. But merely the fact that has been proposed and well-connected folks will profit from it is all this city commission needs to know for them to rubberstamp it. Whether Lawrence is already maxed out with pharmacies or how it will affect traffic at that intersection will not be considered.
cato_the_elder (anonymous) says…
Bozo, doesn't your response mean that, conversely, if you were on the City Commission and it were evident that the store "...has been proposed and well-connected folks will profit from it," then you would just as automatically vote against it?
jaycat (anonymous) says…
People need drugs. Topeka has at least seven Walgreens and at every Dillons, Walmart, not to mention the over pharmacy's around. What gets me is there is always a line & a wait of at least 30 min. every time. Walmart is the worst 30 min. to them is more like 2hrs. Have you ever noticed that the pharmacy is almost always in the back of the store, while the smokes are up front. Smokem if ya gotem.
RXJOHNK (anonymous) says…
I am a pharmacist and a former Walgreens employee. I now work in a "mom-and-pop" pharmacy out of town. I agree that if Walgreens wants to move to Lawrence, and it fits into the city's development plan, then it should be allowed. If you don't like the way the commissioners are voting, you need to vote for people who won't vote that way or run for the office yourself! Also, Lawrence is blessed to have many great "Mom-and-Pop" pharmacies. These independently owned pharmacies: Jayhawk Pharmacy (3510 Clinton Pl # 220 - Across from Hy-Vee), Medical Arts Pharmacy (346 Maine St), Sigler Pharmacies (4525 W 6th St and 4951 W 18th St), Orchard Corners (1410 Kasold Dr) and Round Corner Drug (8th and Mass - and the oldest pharmacy west of the Mississippi!) often provide more personal, faster service than their big corporate competitors. I can tell you from a pharmacist's perspective that my work life is much better in an independent pharmacy than it was working for the "wal's". As a result of that, I feel that my patients get better service from me here because I'm not under pressure to fill!, fill!, fill! and I have time to talk with them and I actually CARE for their health! Independent pharmacies aren't right for every person, but I would challenge you to try one and see if you aren't happier with a LOCAL, independent pharmacy!John K.Pharmacist