I know the most important numbers in Lawrence at this time of year are the single-digit variety (A No. 2 seed? A No. 3 Seed? Gulp, a No. 4 Seed, and how do I stop this sky from falling upon my head?) Regardless, let’s take a look at a couple of local economic numbers, which also haven’t given fans a whole lot to cheer about. — First, sales tax numbers. After now seeing two months worth of sales tax ...
After scrapping a plan to more than double the property taxes of owners of Airbnbs and other such short-term rental properties, Douglas County officials are struggling to explain what comes next. What they are not saying is that Airbnb and Vrbo owners have permanently dodged the prospect of having their property classifications changed from residential to commercial, which would mean their tax assessment rates ...
To the uninitiated, Elevate, the new storefront at 943 Massachusetts St., might look like nothing more than a shoe store. But to those who are into sneaker culture, the new store might come off more akin to a magic shop. “Most of the shoes here are sold out online,” Ethan Bentzinger, a co-owner of Elevate, said, pointing to a wall full of shelves with bright shoes that a middle-aged man like myself can ...
If it is a battle between beer and TVs, it is a little hard to say which one would be the victor at downtown Lawrence’s new sports bar and grill. The new Mr. Brews Taphouse has 48 different beers on tap, while having 16 televisions, although two of the televisions are of the 85-inch variety. So, the math on that is 85 times 2, minus 48 and . . . maybe I need to take a burger break. That burger lineup also ...
If you own a Lawrence or Douglas County home that is rented through Airbnb, Vrbo or other such sites, get ready for a booking you may not like much — a doubling of your property tax bills. The Douglas County Appraiser’s office recently sent a letter to nearly 200 such homeowners that notified them their properties will be taxed at commercial rates rather than residential rates. Commercial properties in ...
You may not be able to easily picture what 64 square feet equates to, but it is no tough task for longtime Lawrence builder Kelly Drake or others who wear tape measures clipped to their belts. “That’s a hall bath. That’s a walk-in closet,” said Drake, owner of the building company Mallard Homes. Soon — the city hopes — it also will be a home. The city’s much-discussed Pallet shelter village on ...