Tuesday, January 19. 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 5
Project aims to redevelop downtown Lawrence block
By Heather Woodward Kansan staff writer
Local investors have unveiled a major downtown redevelopment project that would significantly change the look of one block in Lawrence.
Downtown 2000, one of the largest downtown projects in recent memory, aims to bring retail, office and residential space as well as parking to line both sides of the 900 block of New Hampshire.
Rachel Kesselman/ KANSAN
"Downtown is an integral part of Lawrence," said Mike Wilden, Lawrence city manager. "We want it to be multi-faceted and busy. The additional retail, residential and office space will all maintain the viability of downtown."
Downtown 2000 plans for 63,000 square feet of retail space, 26,000 square feet of office space and 24 apartments. But Wilden said many of the details still had to be ironed out.
The investment group formed to build Downtown 2000, 9-10 L.C., is requesting $2.7 million in city funds for a 616-space parking garage — 441 of which will be for public use — be built on the west side of New Hampshire Street between Ninth and 10th streets.
Mercantile Bank owns the property on which the parking garage will be built. In addition to the price of the property, Mercantile Bank is requesting 175 reserved parking spaces in the new parking garage.
The garage replaces 172 spaces now available for parking on that block.
"Right now I think it is very
crowded downtown, especially on Friday and Saturday night," said Anton Tupa, Leavenworth graduate student. "I usually end up parking on Vermont Street."
On the east side of New Hampshire Street, where the group anticipates attracting new retail, diagonal parking spaces will be painted, creating a look consistent with Massachusetts Street.
"I think the retail space could be good if they get the right stores in there," Tupa said. "I've shopped downtown at the bike stores, and I've bought clothes and shoes downtown."
9-10 L.C. has yet to announce what retail establishments will be in the new space. The retail space may also house a bed and breakfast on the top floor.
Private funds will pay for $8.1 million of the total $17.8 million budget.
The rest of the money will come from the city and tax increment financing. Tax increment financing, which is a new Kansas law, allows the city to take property and sales taxes produced by the new development.
"The reason why we're willing to help with public money is because the project advances public purposes," said John Nalbandian, commissioner and university of Kansas professor of public administration. "The project would cost us $18 million if we tried to do it on our own."
The commission will hear public comment about the Downtown 2000 project at tonight's meeting, which begins at 6:35 p.m. at City Hall, 6 E. Sixth St.
Nalbandian said he thought final approval would be reached sometime this year. He said the project developers have received positive feedback from the public.
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