Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Jonathan Douglass, Assistant to the City Manager

 

CC:

David Woosley, Traffic Engineer

Lynne Braddock Zollner, Historic Resources Administrator

 

DATE:

March 19, 2009

 

RE:

Renaming Missouri Street from 10th Street to 11th Street

 

 

City Commissioner Sue Hack has requested that the City Commission consider renaming Missouri Street from 10th Street to 11th Street (see attached map) in honor of Don Fambrough. Staff has notified affected property owners and tenants via mail or door hanger that this will be considered at the March 24 City Commission meeting.

 

Background

 

There are approximately 90 units (including apartments) on this block which would require address changes. Upon adoption of the change, the city would need to notify property owners, tenants and the Post Office of the effective date of the change. The Post Office would deliver to both the new and old addresses for one year from the date of the change. After that point, property owners and tenants would only receive mail at the new address. Property owners and tenants would have to change addresses on a number of personal documents such as driver’s licenses, bank accounts, credit cards, mortgages, titles, utility bills, etc. The City would have to replace street name signs at two intersections at an approximate cost of $200.

 

Unless directed by the City Commission, the Historic Resources Commission is not obligated by code to review this request.  However, there is historical significance to this street name, which was part of a conscious choice by the founders of Lawrence to make the street names follow the order of the states’ admittance to the Union. The street was platted in 1884-1886 and Memorial Stadium was constructed in 1921.

 

Another option to consider would be to give that portion of the street an honorary name without changing the actual name of the street. This could be done in a similar manner as the historic names which are posted alongside the actual street names in Old West Lawrence (see attached photo for an example of one of these historic signs). However, having the words “Missouri” and “Fambrough” on the same sign may not meet the spirit of this request.

 

Finally, the Oread Neighborhood Plan is currently under development, and the renaming of the street may be something to consider in conjunction with the development of that plan.

 

Process for making the change

 

The renaming of a street is made effective through the adoption of an ordinance. Staff has prepared the attached Ordinance No. 8380 changing the name of Missouri Street from 10th Street to 11th Street to Fambrough Drive (the exact name of the street can be amended at the direction of the City Commission) effective May 15, 2009.  

 

If the ordinance is adopted the city will need to send a copy to the Post Office for their records. The city will also need to send notice to the affected property owners and tenants.

 

ACTION:      Adopt on first reading, Ordinance No. 8380, changing the name of Missouri Street from 10th Street to 11th Street to Fambrough Drive, if appropriate.