Douglas County to consider pact for Berry Plastics, tax break for Masonic Temple

Douglas County commissioners will consider following through on their plans to pay for a new waterline serving a new warehouse northwest of Lawrence.

During their meeting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, commissioners will consider approving an agreement they’ve already agreed to in principle: financing the installation of a larger waterline along the Farmer’s Turnpike, between East 700 and East 800 roads.

The pipe, to be 6 inches in diameter, will replace one 4 inches in diameter and be about 5,000 feet long.

The pipe is necessary to provide enough water for a new warehouse serving Berry Plastics, which has a massive complex at the northern edge of Lawrence for making cups and other plastic products. The warehouse will be at 670 N. 1800 Road.

In February, commissioners agreed to spend $431,000 on incentives to help convince Berry Plastics to build the warehouse, a project expected to generate about a dozen jobs. Money to pay for the waterline would come out of that $431,000.

Commissioners also will consider a request from owners of the former Masonic Temple, 1001 Mass., to create a Neighborhood Revitalization Area in downtown Lawrence. The area would allow Consolidated Properties Inc. to receive a tax rebate that would start at 95 percent in the first year and decline to 10 percent by 10th year.

The money would help defray the costs of upgrading the property for catering and event uses, as proposed by Maceli’s.

Lawrence city commissioners are scheduled to consider the company’s request Tuesday night. County commissioners also are being asked to approve the request, because the county also would rebate tax revenues under the agreement.