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 5, 2012
RE:	City Commission Agenda Item On September 11, 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.  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. 

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.  The assessment is based upon the 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.

Example Cost Per Parcel ($0.426 per square foot assessment):

25 x 120 ft. parcel = 3,000 sq. ft. x $0.426 = $1,278; or $127.80 per year over 10 years

50 x 120 ft. parcel = 6,000 sq. ft. x $0.426 = $2,556; or $255.60 per year over 10 years 

Staff plans to have two public meeting at 7:30 am at the Lawrence Arts Center on September 18^th and September 20^th.

Action:  Adopt Resolution No. 6991, directing and ordering a public hearing on the advisability of constructing an additional parking level on the parking garage at 707 Vermont Street and other necessary and appropriate improvements.