Parking Lot Redevelopment

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An aerial image of the parking lot at 711 New Hampshire in Lawrence, Kansas

In 2024, the City of Lawrence issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking redevelopment proposals for downtown parking lots for commercial development and affordable housing.

During the RFI process, the City of Lawrence selected Cohen-Esrey Development Group to pursue redevelopment of the parking lot at 711 New Hampshire St. The City and Developer have an exclusivity agreement for the site, which expires in June 2026.


PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

The Cohen-Esrey Development Group proposed an affordable housing development that would meet the following objectives:

  • Enhance the built downtown environment with public art, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly spaces, and welcoming entrances facing the street.
  • Provide 94 affordable units for residents making 30-80% of the Area Median Income.
  • Construct a ground level bodega/corner market.

The proposed development would offer 111 total off-street parking spots in an underground parking garage below the apartments. Of these, 10 spots would be public parking (intended for bodega visitors) and 101 stalls would be private (intended for residents of the affordable housing development).

For more information, the full development proposal from Cohen-Esrey is available in the "Documents" section on the right-hand side of this webpage.

CURRENT STATE OF PROJECT

After their proposal was selected, the Cohen-Esrey Development Group was granted an exclusivity agreement for the lot at 711 New Hampshire Street. After an extension, that exclusivity agreement is set to expire on October 20, 2026. At that October commission meeting, the project will be discussed again and Commissioners will consider providing another extension into December.


In 2024, the City of Lawrence issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking redevelopment proposals for downtown parking lots for commercial development and affordable housing.

During the RFI process, the City of Lawrence selected Cohen-Esrey Development Group to pursue redevelopment of the parking lot at 711 New Hampshire St. The City and Developer have an exclusivity agreement for the site, which expires in June 2026.


PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT

The Cohen-Esrey Development Group proposed an affordable housing development that would meet the following objectives:

  • Enhance the built downtown environment with public art, pedestrian and bicycle-friendly spaces, and welcoming entrances facing the street.
  • Provide 94 affordable units for residents making 30-80% of the Area Median Income.
  • Construct a ground level bodega/corner market.

The proposed development would offer 111 total off-street parking spots in an underground parking garage below the apartments. Of these, 10 spots would be public parking (intended for bodega visitors) and 101 stalls would be private (intended for residents of the affordable housing development).

For more information, the full development proposal from Cohen-Esrey is available in the "Documents" section on the right-hand side of this webpage.

CURRENT STATE OF PROJECT

After their proposal was selected, the Cohen-Esrey Development Group was granted an exclusivity agreement for the lot at 711 New Hampshire Street. After an extension, that exclusivity agreement is set to expire on October 20, 2026. At that October commission meeting, the project will be discussed again and Commissioners will consider providing another extension into December.


What questions do you have about the proposed development at 711 New Hampshire Street?

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  • Share As part of the "exclusivity agreement" and as a matter of confirming the developer's integrity, is the developer required to submit to the city specific information listing the persons, neighborhoods, and businesses they have met with regarding this proposal, and the feedback they received in these meetings? If so, where can that information be found in the public record? If not, why not? on Facebook Share As part of the "exclusivity agreement" and as a matter of confirming the developer's integrity, is the developer required to submit to the city specific information listing the persons, neighborhoods, and businesses they have met with regarding this proposal, and the feedback they received in these meetings? If so, where can that information be found in the public record? If not, why not? on X (formerly Twitter) Share As part of the "exclusivity agreement" and as a matter of confirming the developer's integrity, is the developer required to submit to the city specific information listing the persons, neighborhoods, and businesses they have met with regarding this proposal, and the feedback they received in these meetings? If so, where can that information be found in the public record? If not, why not? on Linkedin Email As part of the "exclusivity agreement" and as a matter of confirming the developer's integrity, is the developer required to submit to the city specific information listing the persons, neighborhoods, and businesses they have met with regarding this proposal, and the feedback they received in these meetings? If so, where can that information be found in the public record? If not, why not? link

    As part of the "exclusivity agreement" and as a matter of confirming the developer's integrity, is the developer required to submit to the city specific information listing the persons, neighborhoods, and businesses they have met with regarding this proposal, and the feedback they received in these meetings? If so, where can that information be found in the public record? If not, why not?

    Maggie asked 20 days ago

    Hi Maggie, thanks for your question. Cohen-Esry is not required to submit information regarding their community engagement for the proposal as part of the exclusivity agreement.

    Under the exclusivity agreement, the city is only agreeing to not offer to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of the property to any other party during the term of the agreement. It is not an agreement or guarantee that the city will donate, sell, or lease the lot. Community engagement will be considered by the Governing Body as a part of the overall purchase or lease agreement.

  • Share What is the current starus of this project? When will there be an opportunity for public input? on Facebook Share What is the current starus of this project? When will there be an opportunity for public input? on X (formerly Twitter) Share What is the current starus of this project? When will there be an opportunity for public input? on Linkedin Email What is the current starus of this project? When will there be an opportunity for public input? link

    What is the current starus of this project? When will there be an opportunity for public input?

    amyb asked about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your question!

    Currently, there are no major updates on this project. The exclusivity agreement with the developer was extended to October 20. At the commission meeting on October 20, the project will be discussed again, and the commission will determine whether to extend the deadline again until December. 

     

    The developer has shared with us they have been meeting with surrounding businesses and neighborhoods. City staff on this project have encouraged them to continue community engagement. The public is always welcome to email or contact commissioners regarding this project at any time, regardless of if there is an agenda item or not! 

  • Share Where is the proposed off street parking coming from? on Facebook Share Where is the proposed off street parking coming from? on X (formerly Twitter) Share Where is the proposed off street parking coming from? on Linkedin Email Where is the proposed off street parking coming from? link

    Where is the proposed off street parking coming from?

    Jen Unekis asked 5 months ago

    Hi Jen! Part of the developer's plan includes an underground parking garage under the apartments that would house the 111 off street parking spots. 

Page last updated: 28 Sep 2026, 03:09 PM