Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

To:

David Corliss

City Manager

From:

Megan Gilliland

cc:

Diane Stoddard

Cynthia Wagner

Jonathan Douglass 

Date:

August 12, 2010

Re:

Kansas Athletics Football Kick-off Event  

 

Kansas Athletics, The Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Lawrence Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, the City of Lawrence and Downtown Lawrence, Inc. are working in cooperation to bring another event to downtown Lawrence to celebrate the kick-off of this fall’s football season.  The first event is planned for September 2 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. and the committee is requesting the closure of the 1000 block of Massachusetts Street from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. that day.  This timeframe will allow for set-up and tear-down of tents and other activities.  A second event, planned in conjunction with Homecoming, is slated for October 21 and will utilize the same timeframes and block closures.

 

The event is centered around Coach Turner Gill’s radio show which will be broadcast from Buffalo Wild Wings in the 1000 block of Massachusetts.  The schedule of events is below:

 

4-6 p.m.        Rock Chalk Sports Talk Radio Show Broadcast 

6-7 p.m.        Coach Gill’s Radio Show

7-8 p.m.        Pep Rally on Massachusetts featuring KU Pep band, cheerleaders, Coach Gill, football players and coaching staff

5-8 p.m.        HyVee Hawk Zone (inflatables and kids’ activities) set up in the 1000 block of Massachusetts

 

Jane Pennington with DLI has attempted to visit each business in the block to discuss the event and gain their support.  A listing of responses from businesses is attached. There is one objection from Crandon and Crandon due to Thursday hours of operation. 

 

This event follows two previous coordinated events in the spring – the Kansas Relays shuttle and the KU Spring Game shuttle.  Each of these events have been planned to encourage visitors and residents to come downtown and celebrate and help create a connection between downtown and the Athletics sporting events.

 

For the October 21st event, the committee will be requesting the closure of the 1000 block and permission to have Buffalo Wild Wings extend their perimeter for the time of the event so that food and alcohol can be served within the tented area.  We will begin the process of a public hearing quickly so that can be approved by the City Commission as soon as possible.

 

A letter from the Chamber of Commerce, DLI and Kansas Athletics is attached for your review.