Multimedia Reporting (Kuhr-Musser)

Lawrence City Commissioners were divided over Delaware Street Commons request that the City pay for 90 percent of the project's public improvement costs. linktext

"This is a lot of money, it's not gonna happen," Commissioner Mike Amyx said at the city commission meeting on Tuesday.

The Public Works Department estimated the project's public improvements to total $168,000, making the request from the city $151,200. Rich Minder, Delaware Street Commons Treasurer, presented the request to the city commission. linktext

"We are pioneers of community development asking for financing and participation," Minder said, "It is a bold project and a bold request."

The Delaware Street Commons project will be the first cohousing community in the Midwest. Cohousing communities center around the idea of a collaborative living environment. They first came to the U.S. from Denmark in the early 1980s through the support of American architects, Kathryn McCamant and Charles Durrett. The physical layout of the community is designed by future residents of the neighborhood so that it promotes sustainable and cooperative living space. The Lawrence cohousing members purchased 2.2 acres on Delaware Street, between 12th and 13th streets, and are in the process of obtaining financing for construction. linktext

Mayor Dennis "Boog" Highberger questioned the precedence that might be created if the City were to grant the Delaware Street Commons request.

"What is the policy justification for this project, and not others?" Highberger said, "I can't find reason to spend that much money for years and years."

Minder supported his request by emphasizing how the cohousing project is so unique that it would put Kansas on a national map.

"This is an alternative model of how to do community development and urban design," Minder said, "Supporting this kind of development shows that Lawrence is open to diversity."

According to Minder, the 2.2 acres is valued at $455,000 as it stands today. After construction of the cohousing community is completed, its appraisal value climbs to $3.35 million. If the property is fully developed, Minder anticipates its value will actually exceed $3.35 million.

"We need to look at the value added to the community," Commissioner Sue Hack said, "Is it better for us to help or not help?"

While Minder's request departs from the City's development policy, the City has varied from its development policy to help with residential development in existing neighborhoods, such as the recent construction of 4th Street, east of Maine Street. According to Kansas state law, the City could pay up to 95 percent of the public improvement costs.

"My main concern are future projects of a similar nature," Amyx said, "We need to be very careful about it."

Although Highberger and Amyx voiced concern about the precedence the Delaware Street Commons request might set, Commissioners David Schauner and Mike Rundle asked if the Delaware Street Commons could be a Neighborhood Revitalization Project.

"This strikes me as a the kind of individual initiative that would inspire others," Schauner said, "These folks have got guts; they are investing their own money. We need to give them serious consideration."

Minder and the other Delaware Street Commons members hope to secure financing so that they can begin construction in the next month, whether or not they receive support from the City. While the commissioners expressed mixed feelings about the City's role in the Delaware Street Commons project, Minder is optimistic for the upcoming hearing. At the hearing, City staff will report how much tax will be generated on the property when it is fully developed as opposed to its current state.

"We will have some figures to work with that might indicate that we could participate at something like 20 to 25 percent," Hack said, "I would be comfortable with that."

According to Dave Corliss, assistant city manager, no date has been set for the hearing.