It’s good to hear that the Delaware Tribe of Oklahoma is ready to involve the public in its planning for a 90-acre site near Lawrence.

The property, which is located just northeast of the East Lawrence interchange on the Kansas Turnpike, was purchased by the tribe in 2013. The purchase spurred speculation that the Delawares might seek to locate a casino facility on the property, but tribal leaders reportedly are focused on using the site for agricultural purposes or perhaps a Delaware cultural center.

For the last two years, discussions about how the property would be used have occurred privately between the Delaware tribal leaders and local officials. According to a press release issued last week, the tribe now plans to move forward with more public discussions about its plans. “There will be more formal planning and a much more public conversation about what they might like to pursue on that property that’s both exciting to them and potentially exciting to the people of Lawrence,” Douglas County Commissioner Nancy Thellman said last week.

There seem to be many opportunities for the Delawares and Douglas County to work together on this project. For instance, the current issue of the Delaware Indian News has a story about efforts to establish a seed bank and plant traditional Delaware crops like Delaware Blue Corn and “Pigeon Beans.” Using the land north of Lawrence to further those agriculture efforts likely would draw enthusiastic local support.

It also would be great to see the Delawares partner with Haskell Indian Nations University on projects that celebrate and foster a better understanding of American Indian history and culture. Current Haskell leaders are working hard to build a stronger relationship with the community, and the Delaware property could be used to help further those efforts.

It’s natural that local residents would be curious about the Delaware tribe’s plans for the prominent property that previously was owned by the Pine family. Inviting more local input and involvement in planning for the future of that property is a positive step that will benefit both the tribe and local residents.