Developer John McGrew had a plan. McGrew wanted to construct a 60-acre development consisting of luxury town homes, apartments and single-family homes in the ever-expanding northwest side of Lawrence.
The city had a need. It wanted a new public park. The cost of the park, however, was a concern for city commissioners.
At a city commission meeting on February 27, 2007, McGrew and the city made a compromise. The city approved the development with the addition of a “benefit district” park.
“Lawrence has never received a park like this before,” said Sheila Stogsdill, Director of Interim Planning. “It’s a smooth, innovative way of thinking.”
Oregon Trail Park will be unique from other Lawrence parks by the way it is financed. The city of Lawrence has designated it a benefit district project, funded 100% by future residents, 0% by the city. Benefit districts are a popular tool to finance large city projects such as roads and sewers, but the new park is a first of its kind. Future homeowners in the subdivision will finance the public park completely. A fee will be included in their assessments the same way sidewalks and streets are paid for. The estimated cost of the project is $811,000, but at no cost to the general taxpayer.
“We had a need for a park, and they had a plan,” said Fred DeVictor, Lawrence Director of Parks and Recreation. “However, without a benefit district the city couldn’t finance this. That option definitely helped get this project moving.”
Oregon Trail Addition will be located on George Williams Way, north of Stoneridge Drive in northwest Lawrence. The new development will be a 60-acre subdivision that includes town homes, single-family home and apartments surrounding the 4.3-acre public park. The park will feature a recreation path, playground area and a pond that can serve as storm water detention.
The development was proposed in 2004, but didn’t receive city approval until September 2006, and the park was added February 27, 2007.
“Getting approval for the project took much longer than we anticipated,” said Nancy Breithaupt, Coldwell Banker McGrew Real Estate. Coldwell Banker McGrew Real Estate owns Oregon Trail Holdings, LC.
Developer John McGrew has long been a supporter of city projects. McGrew considered this an exciting project from the beginning. The location was northwest Lawrence, an area that is rapidly growing. The area also provided access to the south Lawrence traffic way for commuting. The land was expansive, scenic and most importantly it was available. However, getting city approval was not an easy task.
“I have dealt with developer and city partnerships on numerous projects, “ McGrew said. “Everything seemed according to the rules, but the city had many concerns.”
Difficulties included access to the property, street and median concerns, neighborhood regulations, but primarily how to pay for a much-needed public park.
“ I have always been interested in having a park in any residential project,” McGrew said. “Lawrence needs more parks and green space.”
McGrew’s appreciation for parks encouraged him to keep working with the city, until the benefit district was approved.
“It was worth it,” McGrew said. “It’s a nice area. It will be such an improvement to Lawrence’s westward expansion.”
Christopher Storm, an engineer for Landplan Engineering, has been working on the project and is pleased with the initial planning. Storm believes the developers and the city came up with the best proposal.
“It’s an extremely efficient area,” Storm said. “We can collocate everything we need; the detention pond, a flat area for the park, and space for the surrounding homes.”
Construction of Oregon Trail Addition is scheduled to begin this summer. Lots have been estimated at $60,000- $80,000, depending on whether it is a town home, single family home or apartment. McGrew explained the market is continually changing, so the subdivision’s lots haven’t been publicly advertised. McGrew and city officials are confident in its success.
“Having a park will immediately add value to this project,” Fred DeVictor said.
City commissioners are eager to see the reaction to the first benefit district park. If it is successful it may bring a new trend in city projects.
“I would love to see this change the way we go about future city projects,” Sheila Stogsdill said. “It allows us to give the developers and the city what they want and need so much faster.”