CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Week ending February 26, 2016

Sports Pavilion Lawrence Update

After 15 months of operation, Sports Pavilion Lawrence (SPL) has become the region’s premier tournament facility.   To date, the facility has hosted 48 tournaments, which has generated more than $6.7M in economic impact for the City of Lawrence.  Wonderful, unbelievable and awesome are just a few of the adjectives tournament participants have used when describing the facility.   After attending an AAU basketball tournament last fall, former KU Basketball Player and Division I Coach Jarod Hasse had this to say about Sports Pavilion Lawrence:  “This facility is unbelievable! This kind of event does nothing but good things for Lawrence.”  

Since its opening, SPL has offered more than 1,500 classes and leagues for children and adults of all ages.  More than 28,000 free key cards have been provided to Lawrence and Douglas County residents, giving them access to state-of-the-art weight and cardio equipment and the indoor walking/running track.  In 2015 Lawrence and Douglas County residents visited SPL more than 140,000 times as part on their regular fitness routine.   Please see the attached report detailing some more of the amazing statistics that SPL has produced over the past 15 months. 

January 2016 Building Permit Reports

The Building Safety Division issued 160 building permits in January, with total construction for the month valued at $9,482,461.  Total permit fees assessed for the month were $58,108.  Permits were issued for six (6) new residential projects, all of which were single-family dwellings.   Staff Report Monthly Building Permit Report YTD Building Permit Summary

Lawrence Transit Update

FTA recently released a notice of funding availability for 2016 TIGER Grants, which the City and the University of Kansas are considering as a funding potential for a transit center, located at Lot 90, on the KU campus.  See attached notice for more information.   Staff will be preparing an update for the March 8, 2016 City Commission Meeting.  Also, attached is a monthly update from Lawrence Transit on recent activities.