Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

To:	Dave Corliss City Manager
From:	Debbie Van Saun Asst. City Manager
cc:	Mark Bradford Fire/Medical Chief
Date:	January 18, 2007
Re:	Fire/Medical Station Re-Use

Please place the following item on the City Commission consent agenda for consideration at their January 23, 2006 meeting:

Receive staff recommendations regarding re-use of former fire/medical station #2 (1839 Massachusetts) and former fire/medical station #4 (2819 Stonebarn Terrace)

Background:  At their April 11, 2006 meeting, the City Commission directed staff to consider public uses for the two buildings, having received only one timely response to the Request for Proposals (RFP) that was sent out seeking re-use of the buildings.  To that end, staff was asked to consider their operational needs and submits the following options for City Commission consideration:

1839 Massachusetts

Attached please find a memo from Chief Mark Bradford regarding his request to use the facility for confidential space for the operations of the department’s investigation division (fire investigations and coroner services).  This space would allow for consolidation of these services into one location as well as a secure location for materials associated with the investigations.  These operations will have a vehicle assigned, which could be parked inside of the facility when not in use.  Additional parking needs would be minimal, which matches the parking available at this location.   

2819 Stonebarn Terrace

Subsequent to the City Commission’s RFP, staff received a proposal for re-use of this site (the historic Grover Barn) as an Underground Railroad Museum.  Additionally, staff has had discussions with Judy Billings (Convention and Visitors Bureau) regarding a use for the building in the future should the National Heritage Area designation become a reality for the community.  Staff recommends appropriate temporary public use of this facility (e.g. field trips, meetings of historical associations, etc.) with the understanding that the public use would be compatible with the neighborhood character, the historic features of the building, and the amenities available on site.  A more permanent public use of the building, as noted above with the National Heritage Area designation, could be considered at an appropriate later date.

Both of these options place the operation and maintenance of 1839 Massachusetts and 2819 Stonebarn Terrace with City staff (Fire/Medical Department and Parks & Rec Department, respectively).

Action Item:  Authorize the use of 1839 Massachusetts as an investigations operations site for the Fire/Medical Department and authorize the City Manager to develop a plan and process for public use of 2819 Stonebarn Terrace until such time as a more permanent public use suitable to the historic character of the building can be developed.