The Journal-World sent a 16-question survey to each candidate running for three at-large seats on the City Commission. Fourteen people filed for those seats. The March 3 primary election will whittle the field of candidates down to six for the April 7 general election. These answers are presented as they were received from the candidates.

Candidate profile: Cori Viola

• 23 years old, a second-year law school student at Kansas University

• Full profiles and more questionnaires

Do you believe a new police headquarters facility is needed, and if so, are you open to considering a property tax or sales tax increase to fund the facility?

Based on community feedback and opinions of local attorneys, I do not believe the police facility as proposed is necessary. However, this does preclude providing the police department with funding to ensure the safety of officers, as well as maintaining the structural integrity of existing police facilities. I do not support sales tax increases, as it disproportionately burdens poorer sectors of the community, and the city of Lawrence already has the highest sales tax in the region. A property tax increase is a worthy consideration for current police facility renovations, subject to the approval of Lawrence voters.

The city in 2014 approved a new registration and licensing program for apartments and other rental units in the city. It is set to begin inspections in July. Do you support the program as approved?

Absolutely. As a student and six year resident of Lawrence, I have extensive experience as a renter. It is no secret that most renters and students in Lawrence do not have the political or monetary resources to enforce the legal standard of living required of landlords. This lack of power allows some landlords to take advantage of vulnerable populations. Thwarting this unethical practice was imperative. It is refreshing to see policies aimed towards protecting members of our community who are often underrepresented.

As part of the Rock Chalk Park sports complex, the city entered into a public-private partnership with Kansas University Endowment and a private development group. As part of that agreement, the city is paying for about $12 million worth of infrastructure that was exempted from the city’s standard bidding process. Do you support public-private partnerships that involve the city paying for work that was not bid?

No, I do not support no-bid contracts. Public-private partnerships can be beneficial, and are often essential. However, when a city gives developers a contract without considering other developers, there exists an implication of impropriety. Our government needs to do everything it can to maximize transparency and fairness in all city projects. This does not mean that the government should unequivocally give work to a developer that bids the lowest price, but instead the developer who demonstrates that their company can provide the most efficient and structurally sound construction with a competitive price.

In 2014 the city approved tax rebates for projects in East Lawrence, downtown and near the KU campus that were either wholly or largely for apartment development. Do you support providing tax incentives for apartment development?

I worry about incentives encouraging overdevelopment in particular areas. In my opinion, and with the addition of the apartments above what used to be Pachamamas, construction of luxury apartments is no longer necessary. I would like to see affordable apartments constructed in underdeveloped sections of Lawrence that include units with below market rate options for those who are caught between the high cost of living in Lawrence and low income. Instead of allowing developers generous tax abatements, those incentives should be geared towards small business entrepreneurs attempting to build a company and provide sustainable employment in Lawrence.

The city last year opened Lawrence VenturePark, the new business park that was built on the former Farmland Industries fertilizer plant site in eastern Lawrence. Do you support the idea of providing tax abatements and other financial incentives to attract businesses to that park?

Yes, I am excited to see development in this area of Lawrence. The location is easily accessible and development ready and I hope to see businesses begin construction soon. I support financial incentives to attract businesses to that park, with the caveat that certain employment standards are met. My goal is to create employment in Lawrence that will drastically reduce our turnover rate and encourage graduates of KU to begin their careers in Lawrence, instead of relocating to another city. ?

In 2015, the city is budgeted to provide about $220,000 to the Lawrence chamber of commerce to lead the community’s economic development efforts. Do you support that arrangement with the chamber?

I have reviewed the chambers plan for economic development and I support the city’s partnership with them. The plan set forth by the Chamber emphasizes local resources allocated to Lawrence based entrepreneurs. As mentioned before, local business development is crucial to the future of the Lawrence economy. Partnership between the city and the chamber is essential in creating a centralized, sustainable economy.

In 2008 voters approved a three-tenths of a percent sales tax to fund city-street maintenance and other infrastructure projects. How would you rate the condition of city streets today?

In certain areas, the streets are great. In other areas, the streets are almost incapable of sustaining traffic. Neighborhoods east of Massachusetts are neglected and should be the focus of future infrastructure repair projects. Additionally, 19th street is an area of concern. The street is beginning to deteriorate while handling increasing volumes of traffic. ?

In 2014 the city built a new dual-lane roundabout on Wakarusa Drive, and is considering building more in the future. Do you support the use of roundabouts in the city?

No. As someone who lives right off of Wakarusa and Legends, this roundabout was a huge inconvenience and waste of taxpayer money. In fact, the City Commission conceded that the intersection did not meet the volume requirements for a roundabout, but since they road was being repaved, they decided to put one there anyway. I do not support the use of such flagrant spending, especially in an area that is already well-maintained and structurally sound. This money needed to be used in areas where streets may be cracking, pot holes are forming, or sidewalks are becoming hazardous.?

Based on current city capital improvement plans, the city is scheduled to spend about $3 million in 2015 and 2016 on a project to rebuild a portion of Ninth Street as part of an effort to make the area into an “arts corridor.” As currently proposed, do you support the project?

No, I do not support the current proposal of this project. Issues including but not limited to police department needs, mental health concerns in Lawrence, and affordable housing should be addressed first. Topeka recently completed the NOTO Arts District in which no city money was used. Public grants and private donations completed the project for the city of Topeka, and I believe (while it may make many Lawrencians cringe) that we should take a page from their book and follow the same form in implementing this project.

The city has been asked to approve financial incentives designed to spur the installation of additional gigabit, super-fast broadband service in Lawrence. Do you support the idea of providing a financial incentive to private companies interested in providing enhanced broadband services to the community?

I absolutely support the use of incentives to spur the installation of an ultra-high speed broad band service in Lawrence. Ultra-high speed internet has the potential to attract businesses to Lawrence, giving Lawrence the potential to become one of the fiercest economic competitors in the region. Businesses that use huge amounts of data need the ultra-high speed internet to function. The easiest example is hospitals. Hospitals store massive amounts of data, and that data is much more easily accessible with this type of internet.

What is the biggest issue facing Lawrence neighborhoods?

Based on community feedback, the biggest issue facing many Lawrence neighborhoods is feeling as though they have a voice in city government. Many citizens feel railroaded by the City Commission, believing that their opinions don’t count, and the commission will do what it wants regardless of feedback. This deters participation in local government which is crucial for democracy to function, and is perhaps why voters turnouts in municipal elections are so incredibly low. Community feedback should be used as a way to shape policy and initiatives, and listening sessions should be used not as a political ploy, but as a way to hear what Lawrencians truly want for the city of Lawrence.

Given the other needs of the city, what is the likelihood that you would support additional funding for trails, bike lanes and other pedestrian-oriented projects in the community?

I would absolutely support funding for trails, bike lanes, and other pedestrian oriented-projects. This would not only increase the longevity of our roads by reducing the amount of traffic on them, but is essential for encouraging environmentally friendly transportation. Additionally, projects like these promote active living and wellness for Lawrence residents. City government should focus more on the long-term and projects that will be beneficial for the future generations of Lawrence.

Given the other needs of the city, what is the likelihood that you would support the idea of city assistance for a new conference center in the community? (Full disclosure: Members of The World Company, which owns the Journal-World and LJWorld.com have put forward a proposal for a downtown project that includes a conference center.)

I would support a conference center in downtown Lawrence. However, I do not support the use of city funding to move this project forward, nor do I support tax incentives used for this project. Additionally, because the proposed location at 6th and Massachusetts is already congested, I hope to see proposals regarding parking so as to minimize congestion within that intersection.

In 2014 there were six homicides in Lawrence, the highest number in at least a decade. Is there anything the Lawrence City Commission can do to improve public safety in the community?

Public safety begins with systematic changes. First, increase trust between vulnerable populations of the community and law enforcement officials by eliminating recoupment fees in municipal court. Second, increase transparency on the needs of the police department. I believe that many fear the militarization of our police (especially in light of the $150,000 armored tank and the $58,000 custom van the Lawrence Police Department received), and trust between officers and the community needs to be rebuilt. Third, in lieu of a jail expansion, fund a mental health center that allows for those experiencing a crisis to receive treatment.

A proposal has been made by a development group to create a major new retail area just south of the South Lawrence Trafficway and Iowa Street interchange? Are you supportive of rezoning property for major new retail developments in the community?

Yes, I am supportive of rezoning that property for retail development. I believe it will create an economic center that Lawrence needs. In that same vain, though, I want the area to be easily accessible to the entire Lawrence community. As it stands now, it is only accessible if one has a car or lives within walking distance. Bike routes, safe pedestrian walkways, or a bus route should be considered in developing that property.

What’s your vision for the type of community Lawrence will become in the next decade?

Lawrence is one of the best places to live, and that’s because of our culture, our uniqueness, and our grassroots community. I want to see us avoid becoming an overextended suburban metropolis, and revert back to our roots. Foster trust among the community and city government, create affordable housing options, increase incentives for local entrepreneurs to build their companies here, and truly give the people of Lawrence a voice in all government decisions. I want Lawrence to remain the progressive haven that fosters individualism and creativity.