WRITER: Chad Lawhorn

West Lawrence's Bauer Farm development nearly full as plans filed for new paint store

Plans have been filed to fill one of the last remaining retail lots in the Bauer Farm shopping center near Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive. But don’t look for the vacant lot across the street from Theatre Lawrence to be another entertainment or food destination. Instead, plans call for a retail paint store to locate on the site. (Perfect. I’m too tired to paint the town red after a night at the theater, but ...

LMH expects gains if Medicaid expansion is approved, but warns it will take effort to get people to sign up

It may involve trading some pennies for dollars, but LMH Health leaders are confident Medicaid expansion in Kansas will add several million dollars to the hospital’s finances — if state lawmakers ultimately approve the expansion plan. As part of the proposal crafted by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning, R-Overland Park, hospitals will pay a “surcharge” to the state for ...

Tractor Supply Co. set to get a neighbor; eastside bar closes

It can be lonely on a tractor. (Ask my prom date. No one was there to roll out the red carpet for us.) The folks at Tractor Supply Co. on the far east edge of Lawrence understand that lonely feeling. The store was built in 2010 near 23rd Street and O’Connell Road, and it was presumed that more retail development would follow. Now, construction has started on the lot next door, but it is not an exciting new ...

Lawrence-based real estate firm to renovate old retail building, move its headquarters

A 40-year-old retail building will get a major overhaul as it prepares to become the headquarters for a Lawrence real estate agency that has been in town even longer. Plans have been filed for a complete renovation of the Stone Meadows Square shopping center at Sixth Street and Lawrence Avenue, and leaders with Stephens Real Estate have confirmed their company will be moving into the center later this year. ...

Sales tax figures show city ends the year with a surplus; Lawrence City Commission may discuss using it to fund homeless shelter

It was a good — but not great — year for Lawrence sales tax collections, the year-end numbers from the state show. Now, the question is: Was it good enough that the City of Lawrence will give some extra funding to the community’s homeless shelter? After receiving its December sales tax check from the state, the figures show Lawrence received about $400,000 more in sales and use tax collections in 2019 ...

South Iowa Street car dealer plans to demolish showroom, build new one with more space for vehicles

I have automotive news that involves a wrecking ball. (No, this isn’t another story of me parking in the wrong spot at a construction site.) Rather, plans have been filed by the local Honda dealership to tear down its existing showroom along south Iowa Street to make more room for more cars. The plans are part of a major overhaul of the dealership, which was purchased by Lawrence-based Dale Willey Automotive ...