Lawrence Commission Will Review Costco Bond Inclusion
The city will decide on October 13 whether to include the new store in a district for STAR bond revenue.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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On October 13, 2026, the Lawrence City Commission will consider whether to include a new Costco store in a proposed STAR bond district. This decision will help determine if city staff should move forward with a public hearing on the district scheduled for November 17.
Why it matters
The developer requires sales tax revenue generated by the store to meet current financing structures, while the city aims to use the district to fund major sports and tourism projects. The move comes as Lawrence faces a 0.7% year-to-date decline in sales tax collections against a projected 1.6% growth.
Columbia Capital Management estimates total STAR bond proceeds at $144 million, while developers project figures closer to $182 million. Lawrence year-to-date sales tax collections have fallen 0.7% in 2026, missing the city's initial 1.6% growth projection.
The players
Lawrence City Commission
This is the governing body for the city responsible for oversight of municipal projects and the approval of local tax and development districts.
Columbia Capital Management
This is a financial consulting firm that provides independent economic estimates and bond structuring advice for municipal developments.
International Organization of Women Pilots
This is a professional group partnering with the city on the Centennial Flight Center project within the municipal development scope.
The details
The proposed district encompasses areas around the city's southern and western sides, including the Beacon Landing housing development and The 1059 project featuring indoor and outdoor turf fields. The city intends to use these proceeds to attract major sporting events and tournaments, following similar public investment strategies used at Rock Chalk Park.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: The City Commission will meet to discuss the bond district proposal.
October 29, 2026: The new Costco store is scheduled to officially open.
November 17, 2026: A potential public hearing date for the STAR bond district proposal.
Market Landscape
The proposal mirrors the city's historical strategy of using public funding to develop sports and tourism destinations, as seen with the city's investment in Rock Chalk Park. This district aims to consolidate diverse development projects into a singular revenue-generating mechanism to drive local growth.
The approval of this bond district could influence how city sales tax revenue is allocated toward future infrastructure and sports facilities instead of general funds. Residents should monitor the upcoming commission meetings to see how this impacts local tax strategies and development priorities.
The takeaway
The city must balance its desire to attract large-scale sports tourism against the current reality of declining local sales tax revenue. Future revenue generated by the store will be heavily influenced by the commission's decision on the district's boundaries and financial scope.
What happens next
The Lawrence City Commission is set to deliberate on the bond district on October 13, 2026, followed by a proposed public hearing on November 17, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on retail trends, visit the Lawrence Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LJWorld.
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