Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Douglas County

Planning & Development Services

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Sheila M. Stogsdill, Assistant Director
CC:	Scott McCullough, Director Cynthia Boecker, Assistant City Manager Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Jonathan Douglass, Assistant to the City Manager
Date:	08/27/09
RE:	09/01/09 Update on the construction progress of the Lawrence High School, Virtual School and Free State High School athletic field projects

The City Commission approved Special Use Permits in October 2008 for athletic field improvements at the Free State, Lawrence High and Virtual School sites.  Construction continues at all three sites.  Staff was asked to provide a progress report since the School District is looking for Conditional Occupancy permits for use of the football fields in September.

School District representatives have been requested to provide an updated site plan and narrative that depicts the status of construction at each site.  This information should include a timeline of completion for site elements such as parking, landscaping and sidewalks.  Staff anticipates this information will be provided for this item in separate correspondence.

PDS Staff intends to conduct inspections for portions of the projects at LHS on Tuesday, September 1^st for a Conditional Occupancy Permit in anticipation of the first home soccer game that evening.  Construction areas and portions of the project that are not completed will be secured to prohibit access while the field and bleachers are in use.  The Conditional Occupancy Permit will allow occupancy at the facilities while the remainder of the project is completed.  Full occupancy will be withheld until all site elements are completed in compliance with the SUP site plans and all building codes.

The District is working with the City to schedule a field test for the light levels at all fields prior to the first event held at each site.

Specific improvements that may not be complete as of this date include:

Lawrence High School

· Permanent restrooms and concessions – portable restrooms with hand washing stations will be provided throughout most of the football and soccer season

· Temporary access road for fire/medical to be installed along south side of football field

· All of the visitors & home bleachers will not be completed for the 1^st football game

· Landscaping – perimeter and parking lot landscaping will not be installed until fall planting season.  Landscape plans are still being discussed with Centennial Neighborhood residents.

· Sidewalks along Louisiana and 21^st Streets have not yet been widened

· Parking lot drainage issues at the northwest corner of 21^st and Louisiana need to be addressed

· Soccer field has not yet been constructed

· Softball field improvements, including lights and dugouts, have not yet been installed

Virtual School

· Parking lot paving to be completed (this parking lot is part of School District Traffic Control Plan for LHS football events)

· Permanent restrooms and concessions

· Tennis Courts not yet constructed

· Landscaping – perimeter and parking lot landscaping will not be installed until fall planting season.  Landscape plans are still being discussed with Centennial Neighborhood residents.

· Sidewalks along Louisiana Street and Greever Terrace have not yet been widened

· Curb cuts along Louisiana Street have not yet been closed

· Baseball field complete, except for dugouts – lights to be tested

Free State High School

· Site inspection scheduled for Friday 9/4; first home game is 9/18

· Permanent restrooms and concessions may not be completed.  Portable restrooms with hand washing stations will be used if permanent facilities are not yet complete.

· Landscaping -- will not be installed until fall planting season

· Parking lot south of baseball field not to be constructed until funding available

· Lights at soccer field and tennis courts – installed, need to be tested

· Improvements at softball and baseball fields