WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

Spring Parade of Homes set to begin, with an increase in numbers; Lawrence building totals still lagging Kansas City

When it comes to Lawrence’s annual Spring Parade of Homes — even in notoriously weather-fickle Kansas — the “spring” has sometimes been easier to come by than the “homes.” In 2022, there were so few new homes on the Lawrence market that the parade was cancelled, and in 2024 there were fewer than 10 homes on the parade. Last year was only slightly better with 13. The event is set to return this ...

Plans filed for new apartment complex along west Lawrence golf course; developers tried to develop same site last year

I know mulligans are certainly allowed in the golf games I play (I insist on either a mulligan or a machete,) but we’re set to find out how they play when it comes to development proposals along one of Lawrence’s premier golf courses. After the Lawrence City Commission late last year denied plans for a 200-unit apartment complex near the seventh hole of the Jayhawk Club in west Lawrence, the same developer ...

Seeking to take on both Republicans and Democrats, pair of smaller Kansas political parties merge

Two Kansas political parties are merging in an effort to battle the dominance of the Republican and Democratic parties, and a longtime Lawrence resident will serve as the new party’s leader. The fledgling Free State Party has merged with the more established United Kansas Party, and will begin fielding candidates to take on Republicans and Democrats in elections later this year. Lawrence resident Scott ...

KU Endowment seeks to annex 136 acres near Lawrence airport; first step for development in river valley

The KU Endowment Association is seeking to annex nearly 140 acres of land it owns next door to Lawrence’s airport, seemingly to explore whether the property could accommodate future business development. Lawrence City Hall this week received an annexation request for 136.9 acres of property that is immediately east of the runway of the Lawrence Regional Airport. However, the annexation request — which is a ...

Plans filed to convert the former Masonic Temple, organ and all, into a unique apartment building

Perhaps the most unique building in downtown Lawrence is set to become the most unique apartment building in the city — and arguably well beyond. After all, it would have an auditorium, an organ, a kitchen that is built underneath a city sidewalk, and that’s before you even get to the building’s connections to Freemasons and Egypt. Indeed, plans have been filed to convert the long vacant, former Masonic ...

Downtown Lawrence Inc. says search for new director likely to last several more months; group working to set new vision

Downtown Lawrence Inc. — the nonprofit responsible for promoting the downtown district — has been without a director since July, and likely won’t resume the search for one for several more months. One reason a new leader hasn’t been hired, members of the association were told Wednesday: The board of Downtown Lawrence Inc. isn’t quite sure what marching orders a new director should be given. “The ...