January 2026 Minutes

January 12th, 2026
North Lawrence Improvement Association Neighborhood Meeting Minutes
Attendees: 8
Meeting Start Time: 7:00pm
Minutes:
Ted and neighbors expressed gratitude to Parks and Recreation for the beautiful holiday light display and the wonderful figurines. Ted shared that lights on the bridge would be a great addition for the future. The neighbors expressed wanting the light display to continue for years to come. Ted is having a meeting with Brad Finkledy about the NLIA’s use of the depot and why the NLIA is no longer getting 3 uses of the depot with no cost. Ted expressed that the NLIA would like to use the depot for the Annual Pot Luck, Sand Rat Reunion and a music event. Ted expressed that the depot was used for the 2025 Potluck to avoid cancellation due to weather and the NLIA received a statement saying the rental for the Potluck is $415. Ted informed neighbors that he phoned the commissioners about the rental fee and it was waived. Ted shared that he has already received a statement in the mail for, $415, for the upcoming Sand Rat Reunion in 2026 and he was informed by parks and Recreation, that part of the rental money goes to pay for insurance.
A neighbor shared with Ted that participating in activities at the community center is becoming challenging because the doors are locked and you have to wait to be let in the building. Ted stated he meets with Parks and Rec. and Commissioners and will keep advocating for the neighbors about access to facilities.
Ted shared that the Commissioners have expressed that he is the only Neighbor Association Presidents meeting with them on a regular basis.
A neighbor asked Ted why parks and recreation are stating that the part of the rental for the depot is used for insurance. The neighbor stated that insurance money should be coming from another source and makes no sense that it is part of the rental cost.
Ted invited neighbors to join him when he meets with the commissioners.
Ted shared an update in regards to the corridor study. He stated that the corridor stretches all the way to the Lawrence Airport. Ted expressed to neighbors that there are people giving input as to what can be built along 2nd street and most of the attendees are from other parts of Lawrence and are not taking into consideration storm water runoff. A neighbor stated that he has gone to a corridor meeting and asked the planners what they are doing to address storm water and the response he got was “a funny look”.
Ted expressed that he and a North Lawrence business owner were recently discussing flooding occurring like it did in the 50’s and the importance of putting into place pumps and other preventative measures in the corridor plans.
Ted mentioned that the NLIA has been collecting for Christmas Fund for 20 years. 1st year they raised $1800 and last year 2025 $10.000 was raised and all the money has come from the neighborhood and is used to support neighbors.
Ted shared that the money goes to helping families in need, paying off the school lunch debt at Woodlawn and supporting the Ballard Center.
Ted expressed that current North Lawrence businesses have expressed concern that their flood insurance will go up due to the corridor development.
An additional neighbor brought up that he has been to multiple corridor meetings and he wants to know why the flooding has never been mentioned at the meetings he has attended.
Ted stated that he will talk to Brad finkeldy on behalf of the neighbors asking if the development will include flood prevention.
A neighbor shared that every time he has brought up to city staff the need for a fire station in North Lawrence he feels he is dismissed. Other neighbors at the meeting agreed that there is a need for emergency staff presence in North Lawrence.
A neighbor asked Ted if the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association gets the use of their depot for free. Ted stated that he is under the impression they do and will look into that matter.
A neighbor asked if there will be another corridor meeting. Ted stated it should be end of the month but no final date yet. Ted stated the study is lasting a total of 18 months.
Ted brought to the attention of neighbors that South Lawrence residents are giving a lot of important as to the buildings they want to see in North Lawrence with no consideration of the storm water.
A neighbor shared that when he filled out the corridor survey that wrote that there is no need for tax payers to pay for the improvements on the railroad when there is a grant that can cover the cost of the improvements and he hopes that his comments are being read.
Ted stated that he is still fighting for the neighborhood to get the improvements done to the railroad crossings to make them safer. Safer for Woodlawn children to cross for school or when they walk from school to Midland PACE for the inter-generational activities along with multiple other reasons for the need for railroad crossing improvements.
Ted shared with neighbors that Nancy Thelman’s son passed and to keep her in their thoughts.
Ted asked if there were any more comments from neighbors.
A neighbor asked what it would take to get the storm water issue to be part of the corridor planning. The neighbor continued to ask if the pump at Tee Pee junction would make a difference. The rest of the neighbors in the meeting joined in expressing their want for the additional pump and the corridor planners to make storm water run-off part of the plan. A neighbor expressed that he understands that the corridor is going to shine like a pretty penny but why would businesses want to risk putting in a business if they are not taking the flooding issue seriously.
Ted stated that we need to participate whole heartedly and take a look at lawrencekansas.gov you can get on the website and take a look and fill out surveys and attend meetings.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:30pm