Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works Department

TO:	Charles Soules P.E., Director of Public Works
FROM:	Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director
CC:	Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police Mark Bradford, Fire Medical Chief Ernie Shaw, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation
DATE:	August 29, 2014
RE:	2014 Color Run – October 18, 2014

The Lawrence Sports Corporation and Silverback Enterprises have requested a street event permit to host the 2014 Color Run in Lawrence on Saturday, October 18, 2014, beginning at 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Color Run is a run/walk approximately 5 kilometers in length with street impact between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Participants start the race wearing white clothing, and at various points along the route pass through “color zones” where bystanders throw colored powder (food grade cornstarch) onto the participants (see map). The event was first held in Lawrence in October 2012 and the organizers are expecting upward of 4,000 participates in this year’s event.

We have verified that there will not be a home KU football game on this date.

Street Closures and Traffic Control

The race would begin and end at Watson Park near downtown. Runners would start at 7th and Kentucky Street heading east on 7th Street then turning south on New Jersey Street. South on New Jersey Street then turning east on 8th Street. East on 8th Street then south on Delaware Street. South on Delaware Street then turning east on 11th Street. 11th Street east until 11th Street turns into 1550 Road. Follow 1550 Road for approximately 1/4 mile and turn around near Penny's Concrete located on 1550 Road. Runners would follow the exact same route back to the start of the race at Watson Park located at 7th and Kentucky Street.

Traffic control for this event will be provided by the race organizers and will be MUTCD complainant (see plan and detailed map). Event staging will take place beginning at 3:00 p.m. on 7^th Street between Tennessee Street and Massachusetts Street with the event starting at 4:00 p.m. At the intersection of 7^th and Massachusetts Street and 7^th and New Hampshire Street Lawrence Police Department will assist with traffic movement at these two locations. What will happen is participants will be released in groups of approximately 700 with gaps in between each wave. During those gaps vehicular traffic will be allowed through the intersection of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. All other intersections along this route will be closed from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. As the final participants pass each intersection on their way back to Watson Park, those intersections will be reopened. In addition, the organizers will have volunteers posted at each closed intersection and advance notice message boards posted at 13^th & Haskell and 6^th & Ohio.

Post-Race Cleanup

The colored powder thrown onto the runners is basically food-grade cornstarch, and will be cleaned up primarily by event staff – with the assistance of a Public Works street sweeping crew.

Notification to Affected Properties

The event organizer has mailed notices of commission action to all properties along the route and on the cross streets that are enclosed by the route, notifying them of the city commission’s consideration of this event. (See attached)

Special Conditions and Deposit Requirement

Staff recommends that certain special conditions be attached to the permit, as well as other conditions that city staff deems necessary.

Conditions of the permit will include, at a minimum:

Volunteers will stay at Color Zones after the race until dismissed by the Public Works Department, to complete cleanup duties to the city’s satisfaction.
Payment of full actual costs of city services in support of the event, including Police, Fire Medical, Public Works, and any other services rendered by the city, within 30 days of being invoiced.
At least one volunteer provided by the race organizers will be present on each side of each street and alley intersection along the route during the entire duration of the event, even if police are also at the intersection.

ACTION

Approve a street event permit allowing, with conditions, for the 2014 Color Run on Saturday, October 18, 2014.