News Releases
News from the City of Lawrence for Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008
(Sent: 2008-09-04 06:02:39)NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 News from the City of Lawrence
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CONTACT: David Corliss, City Manager, (785) 832-3400
(LAWRENCE, Ks) – Today, the City of Lawrence released a website on the November 4 sales tax proposals at www.lawrenceks.org/sales_tax_proposal.
In August, the City Commission approved placing three questions on the November ballot. The website details ballot question one 0.3 percent for streets and infrastructure; question two 0.2 percent for transit and question three 0.05 percent for transit, expanded.
An open letter to community members is included on the website inviting individuals and groups to meet with the City Commissioners or City Manager to talk about the sales tax proposals and ask questions. The website also has a frequently asked question section that includes responses to why sales taxes are needed and how will the funds be spent. The following is from the site.
Why are sales taxes needed?
The 2007 Citizen Survey ranked street maintenance as the city service that should receive the most emphasis. 62% of respondents said street maintenance should receive the most increase in emphasis from the city.
Confirming the survey results, the city’s most recent engineering evaluation found 35.7% of city streets fall within the unacceptable range indicating a need to be reconstructed.
The city does not have adequate funds to replace aging fire trucks on a regular basis. Nine trucks in service exceed nationally recognized replacement standards and lack current safety and technology features.
Launched in 2000, the Lawrence Transit System provides fixed route and paratransit services (for individuals with disabilities) throughout the community. The system has utilized federal and state funds to match local property taxes for operations. The cost of operation, especially fuel, has increased and outpaced the growth in local property tax revenue.
How will sales tax funds be spent?
Streets, Infrastructure & Fire trucks
In Lawrence, 65.8% of streets need more maintenance than is currently funded. 30.1% of city streets need preventative maintenance – crack sealing, mill and overlay and microsurfacing while 35.7% of Lawrence streets need to be rebuilt.
The 2007 Citizen Survey ranked street maintenance as the city service that should receive the most emphasis.
The 0.3 percent sales tax proposal will provide dedicated resources towards this high priority, including the rebuilding of several major streets throughout the community.
Additional funds are dedicated to maintain neighborhood streets. The sales tax proposal also includes dedicated funding for two major community infrastructure projects; 1) the replacement of a 1930's era North Lawrence Pump Station at Fifth and Maple providing additional storm water protection and 2) completion of the Burroughs Creek rail to trail project in eastern Lawrence matching a state grant. Additional funds will be used to construct sidewalks throughout Lawrence providing pedestrians improved walkways.
Planned major street projects include 19th Street, Iowa to Naismith; Bob Billings Parkway east of Kasold; and portions of Kasold and Wakarusa needing reconstruction.
Passage of the sales tax proposal will allow the Fire Medical Department to follow an annual ongoing replacement plan for fire trucks.
Transit
In 2007, the transit system provided 388,325 one-way trips, and paratransit provided 57,497 one-way trips providing transportation for many Lawrence residents to employment, school and medical services.
The 0.2 percent sales tax will provide dedicated resources to operate the existing fixed route and paratransit service (for individuals with disabilities). This will allow for possible merger with KU’s transit system.
The additional .05 sales tax, only effective if the 0.2 percent sales tax for transit also passes, will provide for transit system enhancements such as higher frequency on core routes, diesel and/or hybrid electric vehicles and additional transit system capital improvements.
The website is a city effort to provide educational information to the residents about the purpose of the proposed sales taxes. In October, city utility customers will receive an insert in the monthly statement.
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PREPARED BY: Roger Steinbrock, 785-832-3458
(LAWRENCE, Ks) – Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department announces the reopening of the Carl Knox Natatorium, 1901 Louisiana St., Monday, Sept. 8.
The pool will be available 6:15- 8:30 p.m. weeknights, Monday through Thursday, for lap swimming; closed Friday through Sunday.
Admission to the pool is standard at all facilities: Youth (ages 5-17 years old) and Seniors (60 years old and older) - $3; Adults (ages 18-59 years old) - $4. There is no charge for children up to four years of age when accompanied by an adult with a paid admission. There is a limit of three children (under 4 years old) per paying adult.
Monthly passes, annual passes and the 2008 discount punch cards are also accepted.
Water aerobic and swimming lessons will also be available at the natatorium.
For more information, please contact the Aquatics Division at (785) 832-7946.
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Contact: Lisa Patterson, communications manager, (785) 832-3406
(LAWRENCE, Ks) - Infrastructure improvement projects for the week of Sept. 8 are listed below.
Project: Ohio Street reconstruction
Traffic impacts:
Ohio Street, 600 block, closed to through traffic Seventh and Ohio streets intersection, closed to through traffic
Project: Overlay Program Phase 2
Traffic impacts:
Louisiana, north of 19th Street, closed
17th Street, Louisiana to Tennessee, lane reductions
17th Street, Tennessee to Kentucky, lane reductions
Indiana, 4th Street to 5th Street, lane reductions
24th Street, Alabama east to cul-de-sac, no traffic impact
Vermont Street, 23rd Street to Kansas Street, lane reductions
Kansas Street, Vermont Street to Utah Street, lane reductions
Montana Street, Kansas Street to Park Hill Terrace, lane reductions
Oklahoma Street, Montana Street to Utah Street Park Hill Terrace, lane reductions
Montana Street to Louisiana Street, lane reductions
Ohio Street, Kansas Street north, lane reductions
Project: North 8th Street waterline
Traffic impacts:
North 8th Street waterline, Maple to Locust, local traffic
Project: Curb, Gutter and Overlay Program Phase 3 Traffic impacts:
Eldridge Lane, Overland Drive to the north, lane reductions
Eldridge Lane, 6th Street to Trail Road, lane reductions
Trail Road, Monterey Way to Folks Road, lane reductions
Alabama Street, 27th Street to 27th Terrace, lane reductions
28th Street, Alabama Street to just west of Belle Haven Drive, lane reductions
Belle Meade Place, lane reductions Seabrook Place, lane reductions
Edgelea Road, 19th Street to Harper Street, lane reductions
Silicon Avenue, 23rd Street to 21st Street, lane reductions
21st Terrace, Harper Street to just south of 21st Street, lane reductions
24th Street, Harper Street to just west of Ponderosa Drive, lane reductions
Ponderosa Drive, 25th Terrace to south, lane reductions
Cimaron Drive, 25th Terrace to the south, lane reductions
Rawhide Lane, 27th Street to 28th Terrace, lane reductions
28th Street, Haskell Avenue to the west, lane reductions
Arizona, 6th Street to 8th Street, lane reductions
Eighth Street, Kasold to Lawrence Avenue, lane reductions
Bus Reroutes
Route 8 reroute change
As construction continues at 12th and Indiana Streets, a reroute will be necessary to avoid the area. The new reroute will be as follows:
Route 8 Southbound-Heading west on 9th street, the bus will turn south on Mississippi to Jayhawk Boulevard, turn west on Jayhawk Boulevard and back on route. Route 8 Northbound-Heading east on Jayhawk Boulevard to Oread, the bus will turn east on 12th Street to Louisiana, turn north on Louisiana to 11th Street, turn west on 11th to Indiana, turn north on Indiana and back on route.
For further assistance with trip planning, please call 312-7054.
Right of way uses
The following are approved right of way use permits that may have traffic impacts.
Issued for: Oread Hotel Construction
Possible traffic impacts:
12th Street, west of Louisiana to Indiana, closed to westbound traffic Indiana, 12th Street to mid 1200 block, closed to traffic Oread Avenue, 13th Street to 12th street, closed to through traffic, local traffic permitted closures may last until spring 2009
Possible traffic impacts:
N. 9th Street, closed at N. 1650 Road
closure approved through Sept. 30
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