NOTRE DAME ACCLAIM
OPEN MARKET
Irish coach: Weis, transfers will help KU Sports 1B
Farmers filling local venues with produce Food 8B
L A W R E NC E
JOURNAL-WORLD ®
75 CENTS
7%$.%3$!9 s -!9 s
LJWorld.com
Senate OKs redistricting plan after heated debate By Scott Rothschild srothschild@ljworld.com
TOPEKA — A divided Kansas Senate on Tuesday approved new Senate district boundaries in one of the most contentious debates of the 2012 legislative session. The measure passed 21-19
with moderate Republicans and Democrats teaming up against conservative Republicans. Moderate Republicans made amendments to draw district lines that would allow two conservative GOP House members to challenge two moderate Republican sena-
tors in the August primary. But conservative senators, House members and Gov. Sam Brownback have said they wanted more changes. An attempt to redraw district lines to force a face-off between Sens. Marci Francisco of Lawrence and Tom Holland of Baldwin City
failed. And an attempt to save a western Kansas district also failed. Senate Redistricting Chairman Tim Owens, ROverland Park, referred to demands from Brownback and House Republican leaders as the “800-pound gorilla in this room.”
He said that as a concession to them, both he and state Sen. Jean Schodorf, RWichita, proposed amendments that redrew district lines, allowing potential conservative Republican opponents to take them on.
Finishing touches on final projects
Please see SENATE, page 2A Owens
Public may be asked to help fund police needs By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
Nick Krug/Journal-World Photo
KANSAS UNIVERSITY SENIOR LAUREN STINDT, of Topeka, carefully lays down her screen over a textile as she works on a print series Tuesday in KU’s Fine Arts building. Stindt and other textiles majors spent part of the day finishing final projects as the spring semester draws to a close.
Proposed rec center offers ‘huge’ opportunities Early plans include ice rink, track and field stadium By Chad Lawhorn clawhorn@ljworld.com
More details are emerging about a proposed recreation facility in northwest Lawrence, with new plans calling for everything from an indoor ice rink to a 15,000-seat track and field stadium. Lawrence Mayor Bob Schumm on Tuesday provided details of new concept plans that are being proposed by private developers seeking to partner with the city on a major recreation facility at the northwest corner of Sixth Street and the South Lawrence Trafficway. “The economic develop-
ment opportunities for this project are really huge,” Schumm told a crowd of about 40 who gathered Tuesday for the Downtown Lawrence Inc. annual meeting. The building itself may be huge, too. Schumm said the latest plans, which he stressed are likely still to change, call for 300,000 square feet of indoor space plus several outdoor venues that could be used to accommodate Kansas University. “What’s being discussed now is a village type of concept for sports,” Schumm said. “KU is very excited about the possibilities.” Currently the concept plans call for a 15,000-seat
INSIDE
Warmer Business Classified Comics Deaths
High: 85
Low: 65
Today’s forecast, page 8A
outdoor track and field stadium, which could be used to host the Kansas Relays and other “The economic events. The development project also opportunities includes a col- for this project legiate-level are really huge.” soccer field. On the in- — Lawrence door facility, mayor Bob Schumm said Schumm it is still envisioned to have at least eight full-length basketball courts that could be used for volleyball and other indoor sports. But the latest version also includes an indoor ice rink
8A 1C-10C 7A 2A
Events listings Food Horoscope Movies
8A, 2B 8B 9C 4A
Opinion Puzzles Sports Television
Join us at Facebook.com/LJWorld and Twitter.com/LJWorld
that could be used for hockey and other skating. But Schumm said the plans are still subject to change, and another source said the ice rink was the most speculative part of the current plans. The concept plans already have changed several times. Previously, an indoor events arena was in a concept plan, but that component was not included in the latest plans presented to Schumm on Monday. Schumm said he hopes to have firm plans presented to the City Commission within the next 60 to 90 days. That would be about the same time the commission would consider a rezoning request for the property. Please see REC CENTER, page 2A
6A We’ll be at a 9C 1B-5B negotiation session between Lawrence 4A, 2B, 9C school teachers and district officials.
First 2 Hours of House Cleaning for
Deal Ends 5/13
Please see POLICE, page 2A
More news from Tuesday’s City Commission meeting on page 3A.
COMING THURSDAY
HOUSEKEEPING UNLIMITED
$60 VALUE! SAVE 50%
Lawrence city commissioners all agreed Tuesday that $30 million is a big price tag for a new police headquarters building. But commissioners at their weekly meeting said they want to see an even bigger number. At a study session to review a feasibility study for a new police headquarters building, commissioners directed staff members to create an estimate of how much public funding it would take to address building needs, staffing needs and equipment needs of the Lawrence Police Department. “What overwhelms me is the amount of need there is here,” City Commissioner Mike Dever said. “How would we pay for additional staffing, operations and the construction costs? We need to get a real feel for the number we’re talking about and then float it out there.” Ultimately, commissioners said the total dollar amount to fund police needs may be large enough that commissioners will want to put the issue to a public vote. On Tuesday, commissioners received a report that estimated a new police headquarters building to meet the needs of at least the next 20 years would cost $30 million to build and equip. But Police Chief Tarik Khatib told commissioners he believes staffing at the police force still needs to increase by about 30 positions in order for the department to meet the current expectations of the community. Khatib also said the department has significant equipment needs, ranging from new in-car video systems to replacement of aging vehicles. Commissioners expressed concern about moving forward only with the building project but not addressing the staffing or equipment issues. City Manager David Corliss said his staff would prepare a report within the next six weeks on what costs to address to police needs. He said the report also would attempt to quantify how much the city may save by having the depart-
Only
30
$
This Print advertisement is not redeemable for advertised deal. Get your deals voucher online at Lawrencedeals.com
Vol.154/No.123 26 pages
Energy smart: The Journal-World makes the most of renewable resources. www.b-e-f.org