To the editor:

On July 9, there was an article in the paper regarding a tax abatement for an apartment development at the edge of the Kansas University campus. On the following day, an article appeared concerning a retail development on the corner of South Iowa and the South Lawrence Trafficway.

The Lawrence City Commission so willing gave the apartment development a tax abatement. We are giving tax dollars to a development that is not bringing jobs to the community. This has always been the argument when we have had other businesses try to locate in Lawrence. Furthermore, the city staff and City Commission never questioned whether the city can support another apartment complex yet are questioning whether the city can support a retail development. Developers don’t blindly choose a city in which to locate. They do research to see if an area can support more retail. Lawrence needs more retail shops. We are losing money every day to Johnson County and Topeka because people are not able to find what they need here. We need to keep our tax dollars here.

Lawrence has lost businesses to other communities over the unwillingness to cooperate with companies who would like to locate here and provide jobs to our residents. The City Commission needs to think twice about trying to keep business out of Lawrence if the city wants to make itself a retirement destination. The average retired person is being priced right out-of-town.