CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
Michigan Avenue Bridge Reconstruction to Begin May 29
On May 29, 2007 the Michigan Avenue Bridge over the Kansas Turnpike will be closed for reconstruction. This project is the first phase of the reconstruction of the Turnpike from west of the West Lawrence Interchange to east of the East Lawrence Interchange. The entire reconstruction project will contain several phases over the next three years. The Michigan Avenue Bridge is expected to be closed for several months with completion later this year. At that time reconstruction of the Iowa Street Bridge will begin. The Kansas Turnpike Authority will be issuing additional information in the next couple weeks. The City of Lawrence is paying $200,000 for construction of a six foot sidewalk on the west side of the Michigan Avenue Bridge (funding approved by the City Commission on August 8, 2006).
Lawrence Half-Marathon and 5K Report
The organizers of the Lawrence Half-Marathon and 5K have provided the attached summary of race proceeds and expenses. The City Commission previously approved donation of City services to the race, which benefited Health Care Access.
Traffic Engineer’s Article on Traffic Control Device Recommendations Published
City Traffic Engineer David Woosley is the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) representative to the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. This committee met in January and recommended several changes to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). David provided a report of the recommendations that is published in the May edition of the IMSA Journal.
Arbor Day Celebrated with Tree Plantings
A number of activities took place last month to celebrate Arbor Day and the 29th Anniversary of Lawrence’s Tree City USA designation. Volunteers and City Parks & Recreation staff gathered to plant and dedicate trees and read poems at two locations. At the Pat Dawson-Billings Nature Area near 27th Street and Crossgate Drive staff from Home Depot, Roger Hill Volunteer Center, and City Forestry and Horticulture, as well as Perry Lecompton High School students and John McGrew (donor of the park land) planted ten trees that were donated by Home Depot. At Lawrence High School’s new west wing volunteers including students and administrators, City staff, and Mayor Sue Hack planted two shade trees. Please see the attached photos from the activities.
Fair Housing Events Conducted by Human Relations
On April 27 and 28, the City of Lawrence celebrated Fair Housing month with two events:
§ Seminar for Landlords, Owners, and Property Managers – April 27th, Holidome
§ Fair Housing Information Fair – April 28th, Lawrence Arts Center
Both events were well attended and provided opportunities for members of the community to learn more about the topic of fair housing. The attached memo contains more information about the events.
Planning Staff Receives Conservation Easement Training
Deborah Goard, a watershed forester from the Kansas Forest Service, provided a training session for the Planning Department on May 7th. She outlined different features involved in determining suitability of trees or stands of trees for a conservation easement. The attached pamphlet was one of the handouts she provided Planning Staff.