Lawsuit filed against city of Lawrence over Queens Road taxing districts

The debate about who should pay for the multimillion-dollar reconstruction of Queens Road is moving from City Hall to the courthouse.

A homeowner in the special taxing districts set up to pay for the project has filed a lawsuit against the city and is asking that the project be halted so that the case can be heard. The lawsuit, which was filed by Kurt Schaake in Douglas County District Court last week, claims the taxing districts, under which property owners near Queens Road would pay most of the cost of the improvements, are inequitable and not in line with state law.

Schaake’s attorney, Richard Hird, said that they have asked the court to issue an injunction to stop the city from proceeding with the taxing districts. Hird said they simply want to maintain the status quo until the case is heard.

“I think it’s important that we select the best and most equitable method of paying for improvements like Queens Road, and the purpose of this lawsuit is to make sure that we’re doing that,” Hird said.