TO:                  Sheila M. Stogsdill, Assistant Planning Director

FROM:            Steve Schwada

Date:              February 4, 2005

RE:                  SP-12-86-04:  Re-approval of SP-08-61-00/SP-01-09-04 – Office/Warehouse located at 911 E. 11th Street

This site plan was designed to accommodate (storage and office) one or two users, one with a truck dock loading area and offices and one with offices and light storage.

Our experience as private developers of manufacturing and office uses is that prospective users prefer an existing shell building that can be modified to their particular needs quickly or a site approved and ready for immediate construction.

A number of substantial employers came to this community because we were able to deliver buildings for them in a short period of time. Venture Business Park located at Delaware and east Nineteenth Street is an example. We owned a number of lots and provided numerous spec buildings leaving lots between buildings to allow for expansion and/or site modifications. Sallie Mae, CLO, Bluesky Satellite, and other out of town employers have moved to Lawrence and into Venture Business Park. Local startup employers such as Martin-Logan, Grandstand Sportswear and others are also tenants.

This particular site plan is one lot, one building.  It does not offer the same flexibility we had in Venture Business Park for spec buildings.  However, the next best thing is an approved site plan for a ready to build site to show prospective users. We’ve had several interested prospects but these kinds of projects take a great deal of time and patience.

There is a definite need for approved business sites held in inventory for those employers wanting to move quickly and provide jobs in this city and/or county.

Sincerely,

Steve Schwada