Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Planning Department

 

TO: 

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Planning Staff

 

CC:

Scott McCullough, Director PDS

Sheila Stogsdill, Assistant Director Planning

 

DATE:

January 30, 2013

 

RE:

Agenda Item for Downtown Lawrence Inc. Business Directory Kiosk

 

 

Item Description.  Please place the following item on the earliest available City Commission agenda:

 

 Receive a revised request from Downtown Lawrence Inc., to install a sign of community interest at the corner of 9th and Massachusetts Street. The sign will be a permanent business directory approximately nine feet tall and five feet wide and will include an area for a map of downtown.  On August 21, 2012, the City Commission received the request for the sign and asked DLI to return with additional information.

 

Project Description/History.  Downtown Lawrence Inc. (DLI) is requesting to install a monument sign/kiosk at the intersection of 9th and Massachusetts Streets.  The sign will have a business directory and a banner area for advertisement.  Materials for the sign will be brick and limestone with bronze lettering. (See attached design.) Design services were donated by Treanor Architects and First Management has agreed to donate the materials and labor to build the sign.  The Lawrence Historic Resources Commission reviewed and approved this proposal at their meeting on November 17, 2011, and directed staff to work with DLI and Treanor Architects on final placement and size. 

 

Planning, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation staff have met with Cathy Hamilton of DLI and Chris Cunningham of Treanor Architects and identified three possible locations for the sign at 9th and Massachusetts. (See attached possible location plan.)

 

Option A: Located on the southeast corner of 9th and Massachusetts in front of the US Bank Building.  This proposed location is located adjacent to the plaza area but will require the removal of a tree and tree grate.

Option B: Located on the southeast corner of 9th and Massachusetts in front of the US Bank Building. This proposed location is also located adjacent to the plaza area but encroaches into the vehicle sight triangle.  This location also begins to encroach into the accessible path created by the ramp access to Massachusetts Street.

Option C: Located on the northeast corner of 9th and Massachusetts. This proposed location is not adjacent to the plaza area; however, this location does not encroach into the sight triangle nor does it require the removal of a tree.  This location is also close to an existing bench. 

 

City staff is unanimous in their recommendation for location “C” on the northeast corner of 9th and Massachusetts.  Location “C” is not in the vehicle sight triangle and will not require the removal of a tree.   

 

Project Details. 

·    The proposed project will be sponsored by Downtown Lawrence, Inc.

·    The sign has been evaluated by Development Services and appears to meet the criteria for a sign of community interest.

·    The sign will be permanent.

·    The final construction documents for the sign will need to be approved by Development Services.

·    DLI will be responsible for the maintenance of the sign.

·    Location “C” is supported by City Staff as the best location for the proposed sign.

·    There is potential for Knology to provide service to the sign.

·    The sign will need electrical service.  This has not been designed and may require support from the City.

·    The sign will have a banner area that will be utilized as an advertisement area.

·    The largest section of the sign will have a map of Lawrence’s downtown and will identify the location of businesses.

·    The revised request identifies that DLI members will be listed on the sign and non-members may be listed for a fee of $175 annually. (See attached letter.)

 

Project/Item Funding.  This project is supported by Downtown Lawrence, Inc., and is funded with donations from Treanor Architects and First Management.  DLI will utilize the banner area and map area of the sign for paid advertisement that will fund the maintenance of the sign.  DLI will maintain the sign.  Electrical service to the sign has not been designed and may require funding from the City.

 

Action Request.  Receive additional information from Downtown Lawrence, Inc. and direct staff as appropriate.