Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works

 

CC:

Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Jonathan Douglass

 

DATE:

September 19, 2012

 

RE:

City Commission Agenda Item on September 25, 2012

 

 

Project History: 

In November 2010, voters approved an $18-million, 20-year bond issue to renovate and expand Lawrence Public Library.  This bond issue also included plans to add a 250-space parking structure that doubles the number of spaces for the Library, Outdoor Aquatic Center, Senior Center and general parking availability in downtown Lawrence (see attached map).  Now that construction for the parking garage is nearing, the City of Lawrence is proposing to add an additional level, approximately 70 spaces, to the parking garage to maximize parking spaces available in downtown and to take advantage of efficiencies that can be achieved now while construction is occurring on this project (see attached Fact Sheet).

 

At the City Commission meeting of September 11, 2012 the Commission adopted Resolution No. 6991 establishing September 25, 2012 to hold a public hearing on the proposed benefit district.

 

Project Details:

The Benefit District includes all properties in the Central Business District.  The City of Lawrence owns approximately 35% of the property (parks, pool, parking lots, facilities, etc.).

 

The estimated cost is approximately $1,000,000 plus bond issuance and interest.  The assessment is based upon the ratio of square footage of each property to the total square footage located within the Benefit District.  The estimated construction time is November 2012 to May 2013.

 

Staff held two public meetings at 7:30 am at the Lawrence Arts Center on September 18th and September 20th.  Notices were mailed to all property owners and published twice in the newspaper.

 

Action: 

Conduct public hearing and adopt Resolution No. 6995, setting out the findings of the Governing Body and ordering the construction of an additional parking level on the parking garage at 707 Vermont Street.