Plans for downtown hotel approved, but project isn't done deal
LAWRENCE - Developers of a proposed downtown hotel cleared a major hurdle at City Hall on Tuesday night. The meeting lasted into the early hours of Wednesday morning, and when it was all said and done, city commissioners had unanimously sided with the developers. But the project isn't a done del.
On a 5-0 vote, the city commission ruled that there were no prudent and feasible alternatives to a proposed four-story hotel, despite several ideas that were introduced prior to the meeting.
A lawyer for Treanor Architects and First Management, the developers of the project, argued that feasible and prudent alternatives meant more than just mere suggestions or ideas. But an attorney for East Lawrence residents say that's exactly what the commissioners got.
Now that the project has cleared a legal hurdle, the developers are preparing to move along to the next phase, which includes requesting tax incentives and developing a site plan. But they know residents aren't going down without a fight, and they can appeal last night's decision in court.