WRITER: Sylas May

City leaders approve incentive for 131-unit housing development near Wakarusa and Queens

Lawrence city leaders have approved an incentive for a development of more than 100 units of housing on the city’s west side, although that housing won’t qualify as affordable. The City Commission voted 3-1 on Tuesday to approve a request from Nebraska developer Metonic for $35.3 million of Industrial Revenue Bonds for a sales tax exemption on construction materials. Vice Mayor Mike Courtney was the lone ...

A STAR Bond application raises questions for city leaders about Costco and housing west of the SLT

From his experience working in sales, Vice Mayor Mike Courtney knows there are no sure things. And that gave him pause this past week as he looked at an economic development application – one he worried could turn long-awaited projects in west Lawrence into less-sure things. “I remember earlier in my career, I worked on a couple ones where somebody said, ‘Hey, this thing’s in the bag, we’ve 100% got ...

Developer seeks incentive from City of Lawrence to build 131 units of housing near Wakarusa and Queens

A developer is asking the city of Lawrence for an incentive to build more than 100 units of housing in northwest Lawrence, and city leaders will consider it next week. At its meeting on Tuesday, the City Commission will consider the request from Nebraska company MRES Lusso Holdings LLC for $35.3 million of Industrial Revenue Bonds for a sales tax exemption on construction materials. City staff did not provide ...

Lawrence city leaders will consider whether to keep Community Building open, make 2 other rec centers free to access

City leaders will soon weigh in on whether the Community Building should stay open to the public for free — and whether two other city rec centers should stop charging fees in 2027. At its meeting on Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission will hear an update from Parks, Recreation and Culture staff on the Community Building and other rec centers. As the Journal-World has reported, the city implemented fees for ...

'If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it': Retired Judge Sally Pokorny tells residents why she opposes electing Supreme Court justices

When the Kansas Bureau of Investigation began its inquiry into Sally Pokorny, she was perfectly cooperative. The KBI agent wanted to talk to her neighbors. She gave him a few names, but the agent, thinking those ones would just say positive things about her, told her he “went and talked to all the other neighbors, too.” She asked if he called her ex-husband. He said, “Oh, no, I pulled your divorce file, ...

Soccer gear honoring Lawrence history's all-star team is now on sale as part of city's public art exhibition

Amid the throngs of soccer jerseys at this summer's FIFA World Cup festivities, you might notice a few in pink, navy or green with iconic Lawrence names on the back — Langston Hughes, Lynette Woodard, James Naismith and more. They're from the "Lawrence United F.C." project by local designers Tim Hossler and Lizzy Arnold, which is part of the City of Lawrence's soccer-themed Unmistakable Public Art Exhibition. ...