City to host workshops to gather input on Downtown Master Plan
photo by: Nick Krug
Update: Wednesday, Feb. 6
A youth focus group, a communitywide workshop and a workshop for downtown businesses owners and developers that were previously scheduled to take place Wednesday, Feb. 6, and Thursday, Feb. 7, were canceled Wednesday afternoon because of weather.
Residents who want to weigh in on the master plan that will shape downtown Lawrence for the next 15 to 20 years will soon have an opportunity to do so.
As part of the development of the master plan, the city will host a series of workshops the week of Feb. 4, according to a city news release. The workshops will be broken into three groups: one for downtown and adjacent neighborhoods; one communitywide meeting; and one for downtown business owners and developers.
The new master plan will replace guidelines that have not been updated in 20 years and will cover topics such as land use, development, parking, transportation, infrastructure and streetscapes.
In August, the City of Lawrence hired a consulting firm, Houseal Lavigne Associates, to help complete the Downtown Master Plan. A steering committee representing various groups and interests — neighborhoods, developers, small businesses — is also providing input on the plan, and had its first of three meetings in December.
The downtown and adjacent neighborhoods workshop will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. The communitywide workshop will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 6 at the library. The downtown business workshop will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Feb. 7 at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.
Input can also be provided via an online survey, which is available on the downtown master plan website, hlplanning.com/portals/lawrence/. There are three versions of the survey: one for residents, one for businesses and one for youths. The surveys include more than 20 questions and ask respondents their preferences regarding residential development, business development, transportation, tax incentives and other issues.
Related stories
• Nov. 1, 2018 — New Downtown Master Plan must balance preservation and progress, steering committee says
• Dec. 17, 2017 — How tall is too tall? City contemplating downtown skyline, other big issues
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