A plan to host a hot rod car show in downtown Lawrence is in idle mode after Tuesday’s City Commission meeting.
City commissioners said they wanted the organizers of Rev it Up! Hot Rod Hullabaloo to investigate whether there is another time and downtown location that could be used for the show.
Organizers of the event, Stephen and Michelle Chronister, want to hold the event on Oct. 8 along the stretch of Massachusetts Street that runs through South Park. The car show would require that stretch of Massachusetts Street to be closed from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Commissioners Mike Amyx and Bob Schumm both balked at that idea. They instead asked the organizers to consider holding the event on a Sunday, when impacts to traffic might be less or to consider holding the show along the stretch of Seventh Street that runs through Watson Park.
Show organizers said that street likely would not accommodate the nearly 150 hot rods that are expected for the event, which will serve as a fundraiser for the local Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Organizers and city staff agreed to study the issue more and bring the item back to commissioners in the next few weeks.
Commissioners on Tuesday did approve events for the Lawrence Arts Center and Art Togeau that will require portions of the 900 block of New Hampshire Street to be closed on May 27 and May 28.
Comments
cheeseburger 2 years, 1 month ago
Close the street for arts? Yeah, no problem. Close the street for cars? Oh, wait a minute.
Sheesh.
Ewok79 2 years, 1 month ago
Good point Cb. Classic cars is kinda bit of american art in itself.
beatnik 2 years, 1 month ago
tell amyx and schumm to show up in Topeka on the main street (kansas avenue) downtown on this saturday evening and see what a downtown hot rod show brings, they might rethink their position. i know our downtown is different than topeka but it would bring a lot of people to the area.
KRichards 2 years, 1 month ago
When was the last transgender parade that you speak of and when was the last time an event closed Mass St for 11 hours on a Saturday?
jhawkinsf 2 years, 1 month ago
I'd love it if Lawrence had a "pride" parade. Everyone has the right to feel good about themselves. I'd also like to see the hot rods. They're cool too.
cowboy 2 years, 1 month ago
turning this down is a bad idea , lots of traffic for downtown on a day when shops are open and folks that have dollars to spend. WTF.
OonlyBonly 2 years, 1 month ago
No brainer - look at who didn't want it...... no brainer(s)
punkrockmom 2 years, 1 month ago
You can drive AROUND South Park, it's not like downtown will be cut off. Two downtown business guys don't want people downtown? Weird. Seriously, if I went downtown to check out the cars, I might eat down there or get a haircut or just shop. The kids would definitely want to eat and go to the toy store.
snoops 2 years, 1 month ago
I'm not convinced this car show is going to bring much revenue downtown especially given the amount of time they want to close down Mass Street.
timebomb66 2 years, 1 month ago
The show in downtown Topeka, which is crap, has grown to 500 + cars...Ottawa has grown to over 1500 cars.
snoops 2 years, 1 month ago
I'd like to see actual attendance numbers of people who don't own cars and went to those shows. I'm just saying...with food stands and the need to stay with your car all day I am not convinced it will bring enough revenue downtown to justify inconveniencing people who are headed downtown to actually spend money for such a long period of time.
timebomb66 2 years, 1 month ago
I have no idea but it is usually a crowded mess. I can say that the streets of downtown Ottawa and Topeka are lined with spectators. People not driving cars in the cruise. Its a huge draw.
beatnik 2 years, 1 month ago
the downtown topeka show is a good time and a good car show, very diverse, nothing around here compares to ottawa but the kustom kemps show in salina in i think july is great also.
Keith 2 years, 1 month ago
Baldwin City seems to be pretty busy every year for Planes Trains and Automobiles.
skull 2 years, 1 month ago
It's not like traffic moves on mass during the weekends anyways, or most of the evenings for that matter. It's usually just a parking lot for idling cars. Lawrence should consider shutting down mass to cars permanently and having more open space for pedestrians and shops...the cars are just a nuisance and danger for everyone actually walking around enjoying their consumer experience.
pizzapete 2 years, 1 month ago
I'm in full support of a car show, but 11 hours? I would think 5 or 6 hours would be enough time. How about 11 am to 5 pm as a compromise?
kernal 2 years, 1 month ago
Eleven hours is too long, especially on a Saturday, to close Massachusetts St. from Sixth St to South Park. I also question that a hot rod show is a good venue for Lawrence.
thefactsare 2 years, 1 month ago
No one said anything about closing Mass from 6th to South Park. They only want to close the portion of Mass that runs in front of South Park, like 11th to 13/14th.
oliveoyl 2 years, 1 month ago
I also question that a hot rod show is a good venue for Lawrence.
Yes, you're right. Lets all live in our Lawrence bubble and not allow anyone new to come into town...or spend their money here. You should run for City Commission.
flyin_squirrel 2 years, 1 month ago
What are they thinking? Have you ever been to a car show in a downtown area? They are a huge draw and if it is run right, they might have the entire downtown filled with Hotrod's, not to mention people spending money. People with hotrods want nothing more than to show off their cars, and I guarantee the downtown would be packed with people wanting to look at them, as well as spend some money.
We need to quit thinking people want to come downtown, and start making events to bring people downtown!
oliveoyl 2 years, 1 month ago
We need to quit thinking people want to come downtown, and start making events to bring people downtown!
THIS THIS THIS THIS! Infinity +1 !!!
tonytman 2 years, 1 month ago
Hay Bob Scum it wont affect your business
sallyone 2 years, 1 month ago
This stupid town will close down mass st and plenty of other streets for lance wannabes in spandex and bikes but not for cool cars?
tonytman 2 years, 1 month ago
Yes lets not let 150 or so cars some 200-300 people come to lawrence and speend money in our resterants, stores and hotels. Not to mention the money raised for big bothers big sisters.That would be stupid
spacystaci8 2 years, 1 month ago
Ah Lawrence...if something doesn't benefit the commissions interests then obviously no one else would be affected. This sounds like a great event that could bring lots of different people downtown than the usual parade goers and bicycle riders. I am sure there are other locations that would be glad to host it without the bellyaching and benefit from the revenue brought in. Not to mention helping the children of our area. Geez Lawrence, suck it up and try something new. Its not all about you city commission!
raerae 2 years, 1 month ago
Hot Rods not a good venue for Lawrence?
People who build hot rods spend a lot of money on more than parts. A lot of them are older people with plenty of disposable income, and enjoy the kind of consumables one would find downtown, as opposed to the big box stores. Downtown can profit well from this.
People who like to look at cars will spend money on eats, if nothing else.
Kids love cars, too.
As usual, some of Lawrence has a limited view of what is art and/or good for business.
igby 2 years, 1 month ago
It's intererting how theses cc's that have a buriness that does no business suddlenly are elected to run the cities business and ruin business for everyone elese.
haggisgirl 2 years, 1 month ago
Set 'Em Up Jacks has a car show each month during the summer that is well attended. Maybe the organizers could approach them about another one in October. I'm sure the restaurants there would appreciate the business.
fred_mertz 2 years, 1 month ago
I bet it would be permitted if it was a hot rod Prius show.
snap_pop_no_crackle 2 years, 1 month ago
Vroom, vroom
LarryNative 2 years, 1 month ago
Where would they re route the few thousands cars that go down mass.? Why not put the show cars in the police parking lot by south park. The city offices are closed and tell the on duty workers to park somewhere else for the day.
homechanger 2 years, 1 month ago
Bob schumm probably didn't understand the request either. He probably voted the wrong way and will need a do over next week. Bob schumm is not the brightest commish in the bunch.
oneeye_wilbur 2 years, 1 month ago
Still business unfriendly. I told you, everyone, that is going to be the worst commisson yet. Just sit back and watch. Wait till schumm gives those parking passses out for the treanor lot and the rate ends up at 10cents an hour.
More vacant buildings to come, and how low will the owners drop their rent? Not much. Maybe the commissioners will have a vacant building tour?
fixitmom 2 years, 1 month ago
I think we can work together as a community to provide a fun way to raise money for kids in need. This is going to be a great party with cool cars and awesome rock-a-billy music.
welder 2 years, 1 month ago
Come on Lawrence! We finally have people willing to step up and do something good for our community and our children. These events are not easy to plan and put together. We should be gratefull as a community that there are people willing to put in hard work to benefit others.
notwhatyouthink 2 years, 1 month ago
Didn't we just close New Hampshire for two bocks and 9th street for some Rock Concert for a whole day or two where They sold booze on the streets and had to have a special permit to do so.
We can close the streets for that but can't for a good family event? WTF is wrong with the leaders of this city.
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