LcS Relocation Efforts

The Lawrence Community Shelter will soon have a contract with the owners of the Franklin Business Center to purchase 3701 Franklin Park Circle in Lawrence, Kansas. The City Commission voted 5-0 in favor, with conditions, of approving the Special Use Permit to allow us to occupy this location. Sign up for our monthly email newsletter to receive timely updates as they occur or become a Facebook fan of the Lawrence Community Shelter page.

3701 Franklin park circle

During the application process for the Special Use Permit, neighbors frequently asked the following questions. They will remain here for another few months.

Q: “What about Don’s Steakhouse?”
A: The Planning Commission deferred our application for the SUP for the Don’s site on November 16, 2009. Our contract with the owners of Don’s expired December 4, 2009. We were unable to get a contract extension. Subsequent attempts to negotiate an extension have failed. We have withdrawn the application for the SUP for that location.

Q: “Why this location?”
A: LCS listened to the concerns of many of the business and residential neighbors, and feel this location may better address those concerns. This location is much less visible from K-10 and the size is similar to what would have eventually been built on the Don’s site, but without depending upon purchasing extra ground from Farmland. We also feel that because the building already exists, relocation of the homeless shelter from downtown will happen much faster.

Q: “How much will the total project cost?”
A: We believe the total project cost for this location will be less than what was projected for the Don’s site.

Q: “Have you had discussions with surrounding property owners?”
A: We are in the process of contacting the owners of properties in close proximity to the Franklin Park building. A public meeting for neighbors was February 25, and more meetings will be held throughout the process.

Q: "How will the homeless folks get into town, shop, look for jobs?"
A: LCS and the City is working to extend a bus route to that location. Either the route that services the East Hills Business Center or Prairie Park are two routes that are most likely to be modified to extend to the proposed location. LCS also has a used minivan (donated last year) that is currently in use (and will be used) for guest employment opportunities, to take guests to detox and rehab facilities, etc. Staff and volunteers also help with limited transportation needs.

Current sleeping conditions at LCS

Additional RECENT INFORMATION

The Community Cooperation Committee, in conjunction with the Community Commission on Homelessness, facilitated a meeting for any interested community members and for representatives from the Lawrence Community Shelter. Details of the new Franklin Business Center site and an in-depth discussion of the current workings of the Lawrence Community Shelter were topics for the meeting.

The productive meeting generated several comments and requests for information, which is now available by following the links below.

Management Plan >>
A n evolving document based on input and discussions with city staff, city commissioners, and neighbors. This is the version from January, 2010.

List of Properties Previously Considered >>
Originally presented by Doug Brown during the Dec. 2009 Planning Commission Meeting. This list covers only the properties that were publicly on the market at the time the properties were considered, from July, 2007 to December, 2009.

2009 Annual Report >>
Includes demographic information, including results of programs throughout the year (i.e. how many people moved into housing, got jobs, etc)

Housing Vision Chart >>
Developed by the Mayor's Task Force on Homelessness and supported by all homeless service agencies in Lawrence, including the Community Commission on Homelessness and the Community Cooperation Committee.