Memorandum
City of Lawrence
City Manager’s Office
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager
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FROM: |
Jonathan Douglass, City Clerk/Assistant to the City Manager
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CC: |
Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police Charles Soules, Director of Public Works Mark Bradford, Fire Medical Chief Ernie Shaw, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation
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DATE: |
September 6, 2012
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RE: |
Color Run
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Background
In June the City Commission approved a Temporary Use of Public Right-of-Way Permit for the Color Run on Saturday, October 6, 2012. City staff have been working with the race organizers to finalize the route and plans since that time. The attached map shows the route for the run, and the attached traffic control plan, while still under review, gives an overview of traffic impacts from the race.
Traffic control
Traffic control devices will be set up by around 3:00 p.m. the day of the race. The race starts at 4:00 p.m. with waves of runners leaving the staging area at 900 New Hampshire at intervals. All runners should complete the course by around 6:00 p.m.
The northern half of the 900 block of New Hampshire would be closed from noon – 11:00 p.m. The entire 900 block of New Hampshire would be closed from approximately 3:00 p.m. until the end of the race, and then only the northern half of the block would remain closed, and possibly the 200 block of E 9th (see map), depending on crowd size, for post-race activities. Access to the garage will be maintained via the 9th Street entrance/exit, and possibly a “right out” from the New Hampshire Street entrances/exits.
Color zones, where spectators and volunteers on the sidelines throw colored powder onto the runners are placed about every kilometer along the route and at the finish line area, for a total of 5 color zones (see map). The streets will be entirely closed at these locations while the course is set up, throughout the race, and for a couple hours after the race while the colored powder is cleaned up. Race organizers will be personally contacting and working with properties adjacent to the color zones to make sure they have adequate access to their properties.
The street closures will require a number of transit system reroutes. Race organizers and other city staff are meeting with transit staff on Friday, September 7, to discuss the reroutes.
Because this will be a closed course (i.e. the streets will be completely closed in both directions) the number of police officers needed for traffic control is minimized. Almost all traffic control will be accomplished through the use of signage and barricades, with course marshals helping local traffic access their properties. The police department will likely assign a couple officers on motorcycles to race support, just to be available to respond to issues along the route.
Notification to affected properties
City staff will be mailing a postcard to all properties along the race route the week of September 10-14. Bob Sanner of Lawrence Sports Corporation has been in contact with the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association already and will attend their meeting in October a few days before the race to give any final updates or answer questions. Bob has also been in contact with major employers and property owners along the route or otherwise uniquely affected, including Penny’s Concrete, Allen Press, Spring Hill Suites, and the Poehler Building.
Bob Sanner will be available for questions at the September 11 City Commission meeting if more information is needed regarding the event.