photo by: Journal-World Photo Illustration

Lawrence Journal-World Editorial

Downtown Lawrence Inc. is taking the right approach to addressing an increasing number of vacancies on Massachusetts Street.

The nonprofit organization has launched an effort to gather data that will help identify the types of businesses that will bring residents to the seven-block stretch from Sixth to 13th streets that makes up the downtown corridor.

“We’re not asking people to tell us just what they want to see or what they think would be fun downtown,” said Sally Zogry, executive director of Downtown Lawrence Inc. “What I really want to hear is what would they support with their dollars.”

There are 16 vacancies on Mass, according to an informal survey by the Lawrence Journal-World. The vacancies are book-ended by the old Journal-World production facility to the north and the former Allen Press facility to the south. In between, iconic stores like Ernst & Son Hardware, which closed earlier this year and auctioned its remaining inventory recently, have left Mass Street without new stores coming in to replace them.

Zogry is being purposeful in developing a business-recruitment strategy. Feedback she has heard from downtown business owners identified retail needs such as a grocery store, a pharmacy, more clothing and shoes for kids and additional men’s clothing options. And they are leery of overloading downtown with restaurants.

Zogry said Downtown Lawrence would formally kick off its data-gathering efforts in the coming weeks but that residents don’t have to wait to provide feedback. The public can offer input by visiting the contact section of the Downtown Lawrence Inc. website, downtownlawrence.com.

Once the data has been gathered, Downtown Lawrence Inc. will work to develop a recruiting strategy to target the right businesses for the downtown area.

Downtown Lawrence Inc.’s efforts dovetail with the City of Lawrence’s efforts to update its downtown master plan. That process is underway with the hiring of a consultant to lead the effort. Much of the business-recruitment success likely will hinge on the city’s approach to issues such as incentives, traffic and parking.

Residents throughout Lawrence have a stake in a vibrant, economically strong downtown. One of the keys is ensuring the right mix of stores and businesses. Residents with thoughts about the businesses that would draw them downtown should share that feedback with Downtown Lawrence Inc.