Town Talk column

Town Talk: Lawrence home building totals hit historic low in 2011; city inks deal to add Ripple Glass containers across town; Lawrence Freenet operator on expansion path

News and notes from around town:• It is like Cal Ripken Jr. sitting out a baseball game. It is like Allen Fieldhouse not being sold out for a men’s basketball game. It is like the Missouri Tigers winning a sportsmanship award. The point is, the streak is over. Since at least 1956 — as ...

Town Talk: Lawrence sales tax collections post best year in more than a half-decade; idea of downtown donation meters still alive; popularity of 15-minute parking meters growing?

News and notes from around town:• Forget about that Orange Bowl win. Forget about that National Championship. 2011 has been a better year than 2008. At least from a sales tax perspective. Lawrence’s sales tax collections in 2011 grew by 4.3 percent, or by about $1.08 million, compared with ...

Town Talk: Compton’s Ninth and N.H. incentive request up for approval tonight; former Stone Creek building sells to investment group; Burger King open on Sixth Street

News and notes from around town:• After more than a week off to celebrate the holidays, I can assure you that the egg and the nog are not created equal. But speaking of holidays, maybe the Lawrence City Commission made a New Year’s resolution when it comes to a long-lingering request at ...

Town Talk: Speculation growing that American Eagle Outfitters to close Lawrence store; Argenta finalizes deal at KU incubator; North Lawrence roadwork on tap; bike lane vs. parking on Conn. St.

News and notes from around town:• Well, this may not end up being a very good month for folks who like national chain stores and closets full of the hippest names in clothing. Earlier this month we reported that the Old Navy store on South Iowa Street will be closing after the holiday season. ...

Town Talk: Speciality grocer has looked at Borders but building still on the market; city to consider traffic calming for Crescent Road; bike lanes vs. on-street parking may become future issue

• I heard back from an Old Navy spokeswoman recently, and the retailer is not yet ready to announce the date that its Lawrence store will close. I’ll keep an ear out for any news on that front. I’ll also be watching for any signs that Old Navy may be seeking a new location in town, but ...

Town Talk: SLT, higher speeding fines for K-10, SRS issues on the city’s list of priorities for upcoming state legislative session; sand plant proposal in Jefferson County moving ahead

News and notes from around town:• From speeders to the South Lawrence Trafficway to conservative tax proposals, the city of Lawrence has an official position on how the upcoming session of the Kansas Legislature should play out. Now, how far an opinion from Lawrence will get you in the Kansas ...

Town Talk: City still flirting with historic low on home construction; $4.4 million building permit issued for Poehler project; this and that about a new westside recreation center

News and notes from around town:• The race to 100 is still on. Lawrence building permit numbers through November are now out, and the city still has not yet cracked the century mark when it comes to new single-family home construction. As we reported a few weeks ago, the city has building ...

Town Talk: Commissioner wants to change name of 11th Street to honor Fambrough; homeless shelter plans to move by early summer; apartment plan creates tension, accusations

News and notes from around town:• Change to the coaching staff may not be the only thing coming to Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium. A new effort is underway to have the portion of 11th Street that runs along the north edge of the stadium named in honor of former KU coach Don Fambrough. ...

Town Talk: Coffee shop plans to open near Ninth and Delaware; developers of proposed hotel/apartments offer to improve adjacent Social Service League building; 23rd and Iowa project moving ahead

News and notes from around town:•Whether you are east or west, you likely are not going to have a problem finding your cup of Morning Joe. Last week we reported on rumors that Starbucks will open a new store in northwest Lawrence. Well, today we have news of an East Lawrence option — and ...

Town Talk: Retirement apartments in works near 23rd and O’Connell; West Lawrence rec center moving ahead; 12th and Haskell center drawing neighborhood concern; Clinton Lake in drought watch

News and notes from around town: • The plan to make Lawrence a regional destination for retirees has another wheel in motion, it seems. A Springfield, Mo.-based investment company has filed paperwork with the city for a 55 and older living community a bit south of 23rd and O’Connell in ...

Town Talk: Rumors of Starbucks looking to build in northwest Lawrence; city and convenience store exploring options for compressed natural gas; how about a bicycle fleet for city workers?

News and notes from around town: • File this in the category of unconfirmed, yet stimulating — stimulating as in full of caffeine. Speculation is growing that Starbucks is close to signing a deal to build a new store in northwest Lawrence. I believe the company is looking at a site that is ...

Town Talk: Preservationists surprised by odd move of Varsity House; University National’s merger with Wichita bank scrapped; why no love for Roosevelt’s Lawrence fountain speech?

News and notes from around town:• Talk about a jigsaw puzzle. There is quite a sight to see at 11th and Indiana streets at the old Varsity House location. Crews are currently dismantling the house piece by piece. If you remember, the Varsity House is the property that created a lot of concern ...

Town Talk: UPDATE: Developers offer to reduce height of 9th and N.H. building; Home sale numbers down 14 percent for the year; city may rely less on bid process for library expansion

News and notes from around town:• UPDATE NO. 2: The proposed design changes to the Ninth and New Hampshire building have now created a change in the proceedings tonight at City Hall. City commissioners no longer are scheduled to vote on the project this evening. Instead, City Hall leaders ...