June 20, 2004

To the Lawrence City Commission:

The Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods is writing in support of the request submitted this week by the Hillcrest, Old West Lawrence and Pinckney Neighborhood Associations for an area plan along the 6^th Street corridor between Alabama and California.  We believe that the health of this central and transitional area is critical to the health of the three surrounding neighborhoods. 

This area will likely undergo numerous changes of ownership and land use over the next 10-15 years.  The empty lot at 7^th and Wisconsin Street is only one example of a property in transition.  The Eagles Lodge next door is another key property that will fundamentally determine the area’s character and that will likely change hands and develop in the next decade or so.  It is critical that we act now to develop a long-term vision for this strategic part of Lawrence and ensure that infill areas are developed in a way that will be positive for the area’s commercial and residential property owners as well as for the three neighborhoods mentioned here.

We respectfully request that the City Commission do the following:

1) Ask the Planning Office to develop an area plan for the blocks from Alabama to California Streets, and from 5^th to 7^th Streets that will promote the long-term viability of this delicate area.

2) Place a moratorium on site development plans until the area plan has been completed.  We believe that this small but pivotal area would provide an excellent pilot project for “smart growth” principles.  Given a chance, we can demonstrate that these principles can work in central Lawrence.

Our neighborhoods are willing to put as much time and energy as needed into this important effort.  Please give this part of Lawrence a chance to develop in a way that our city can be proud of for decades to come.

Thank you for your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,

The Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods