Brick Streets & Sidewalks Policy

Purpose

The comprehensive plan (Plan 2040) identifies brick streets and sidewalks as a community resource and states the following goals, “Maintain, protect, and restore existing brick streets, sidewalks, and hitching posts within Lawrence” and “Formalize a review process for all public improvements to determine potential effects on preservation efforts.” A brick streets and sidewalk policy has been an ongoing effort within the Lawrence Municipal Services and Operations (MSO) department since 2013. The delay in adopting a formal policy is likely in part due to shifting City priorities and staff turnover. The 2024 budget process identified the priority to develop a comprehensive Brick Streets and Sidewalk Policy.

The Brick Streets + Sidewalks policy should reflect the community’s values and priorities, as well as have attainable and practical implementation strategies for the City of Lawrence. The Transportation Planning division will lead the public engagement process and staff a subcommittee of community stakeholders. Although the history on the subject provides good context for past community feedback, a full public process will be facilitated through the drafting of this policy. The proposed timeline is to have the Brick Streets and Sidewalk Policy completed by the third quarter of 2024.

 

Community Engagement

The Multi-Modal Transportation Commission approved the creation of a subcommittee to engage stakeholders from the following groups:

For questions and comments contact: Cece Riley, Transportation Planner II criley@lawrenceks.org 785-832-3155

• Multimodal Transportation Commission;
• Neighborhood Association members;
• Independence, Inc Accessibility taskforce;
• LiveWell Douglas County;
• University of Kansas; and
• Historic Resources Commission.

The Subcommittee is planned to meet 4 times throughout the 6-month policy development process. Once dates are set for these meetings they will be posted to this website.

Upcoming:

5/16/2024: BRICK STREETS + SIDEWALKS (BS+S) SUBCOMMITTEE  MEETING #2.5
*This meeting is planned to be a continuation of Meeting #2 in order to allow for additional time for subcommittee members to discuss policy direction. A recording of this meeting will be posted afterwards.

(TENTATIVE) 6/20/2024: Open House at Lawrence Public Library 5:30 – 7:30 PM
*This meeting time has been reserved with LPL, but is tentative pending subcommittee publishing draft policy. The goal is to have the draft available for a 15-day public comment period sometime in June.

Additional information to come. Check back at this website for updates.

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Past Meetings & Engagement Activities

5/07/2024: BRICK STREETS + SIDEWALKS (BS+S) SUBCOMMITTEE  MEETING #2: Recording, Presentation
* Discussed Accessibility standards (ADA and PROWAG), public feedback from values survey, and policy direction. Additional meeting to be scheduled in order to determine policy direction as the subcommittee needed additional time to discuss and decide.

4/4/2024 – 4/19/2024: VALUES SURVEY RESULTS
**Public Comment Summary Values Survey

04/11/2024 & 04/17/2024: TABLED AT LAWRENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY

04/04/2024: BRICK STREETS + SIDEWALKS OPEN HOUSE AND VALUES DISCUSSION: Brick Street + Sidewalks Informational Posters
*Ranked Values Survey shared at meeting and online.