photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Over a dozen Lawrence residents perusing an open house hosted by city staff about the North Lawrence Corridor Study at the at Venue 1235, 1235 N. Third St., on Dec. 10. The public meeting was the second for the study, and organizers say they are crucial for ensuring a final report will have a community voice.

As public feedback continues for the city’s North Lawrence Corridor Study, organizers say the meetings and feedback make sure the community’s input are a clear guide for any final recommendations.

On Dec. 10, the city hosted the second public engagement meeting in the form of an “open house” that gave residents a chance to review the results of the study so far. Cece Riley, city transportation planner, told the Journal-World via email that around 150 participants came to the open house event, which included posters and materials that described existing conditions in the study area, detailed data about crashes, and mapped sidewalk gaps.

Those posters also provided a recap of an initial public meeting in November where staff asked residents to “dream big” about the future of North Lawrence, as the Journal-World reported. It summarized some initial desires from local residents, including the desire for more pedestrian bridges connecting across the Kansas River and a grocery store and commercial development considerations along North Second Street.

Riley said residents who attended the event mostly had questions about how the study could affect them personally and if anything had been decided. She said staff made it clear that no decisions had been made, this current phase of the study has been about “listening and learning” to the community’s vision of the future.

As for how the study can implement some of the community’s goals, Riley said the final study, which is expected to go in front of the City Commission in late 2026, will feature recommendations for placemaking, transportation and economic development opportunities. Receiving input helps show community priorities and see where there is “broad community support.” For example, if the community keeps expressing the desire for a grocery store, Riley said recommendations in the final study to encourage the addition — whether it’s by rezoning an area for that use or help the city better engage with grocery store operators to facilitate that development.

“Public feedback ensures the final report reflects local needs and provides a clear, community-informed framework to guide future decisions, partnerships and investments,” Riley said.

Along with the two events so far, Riley said the city has released an online survey for residents to share their input. The survey, which is on the city’s website, is accessible until Jan. 9, 2026.

Riley said the next big step as part of the study would be for the project task force to meet in late January. That group will meet to review the public input and “develop a mission and vision statement for the study,” and create a set of goals for the study “that reflect the community’s priorities,” Riley said.

The next public meeting about the North Lawrence Corridor Study should take place in spring 2026, according to Riley.

photo by: Bremen Keasey/Journal-World

Several materials about the North Lawrence Corridor Study presented at an public open house event on Dec. 10 at Venue 1235, 1235 N. Third St.