Lawrence City Commission to consider increasing community input for downtown master plan

After Lawrence city commissioners criticized the process, commissioners will soon consider increasing the amount of community input gathered for the development of the Downtown Master Plan.

As part of its meeting Tuesday, the commission will consider revising and expanding the community engagement component of the development of the plan. The proposed changes would add $37,070 to the $110,000 contract for Houseal Lavigne Associates, the consultant helping the city to draft the plan, according to city staff memo to the commission.

The proposed expansion to the community input component calls for adding outreach activities for youth and college-aged community members and a mechanism for community groups to host their own workshops to gather input, according to the memo.