The Lawrence City Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to put a question on the November ballot about raising the city’s sales tax to fund affordable housing efforts from 0.05% to 0.10%.
The sales tax increase, which was proposed by City Manager Craig Owens in July, would add an extra nickel in tax to every $100 in purchases made by consumers in Lawrence. State law requires that all city sales tax ...
As housing advocates reflect on data coming from the point-in-time homeless count from earlier in the year, they hope the snapshot of information, including questions about respondents’ origins, can help focus efforts for outreach and solve broader problems.
As the Journal-World reported, the point-in-time count in Douglas County, a data survey mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, ...
At Tuesday’s Lawrence City Commission meeting, commissioners are expected to take the next steps toward approving the budget for 2025 — and possibly toward putting an affordable housing sales tax question on the November ballot.
The commission at its weekly meeting will be holding the public hearing on the recommended budget, which according to the agenda materials totals $520.7 million.
As the ...
Aging play structures in two neighborhood parks in Lawrence were closed off this week, and proposed budget cuts mean they will likely not be replaced for years, according to Parks and Recreation officials.
Four separate structures this week at Park Hill Park #1 and Chaparral Park were closed off with tape and “No Trespassing” or “Keep Out” signs. Luis Ruiz, the director of the Parks and Recreation ...
The Prairie Park Nature Center will be able to expand its footprint and restore a waterfront area thanks to an Open Space grant from the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council.
The $71,000 grant funds a multi-faceted project focused on Mary’s Lake that involves restoring shoreline habitat, building a larger fishing dock, updating educational signage, and expanding conservational programming. The money ...
The Lawrence City Commission voted to approve the “preferred concept” design for a major renovation of the Outdoor Aquatic Center that falls in line with the $6.1 million budget but decreases the current recreation area.
The commission approved the design 4-1, along with a motion from Commissioner Brad Finkeldei that added an additional accessibility ramp along with some other staff requests. Commissioner ...
