<div dir="ltr"><br><div><p class="MsoNormal">Neighbors in and around downtown Lawrence:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">On behalf of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/DTGrocery/" target="_blank">Downtown Grocery Committee</a>, I’d like to invite your neighborhood association leadership to participate in a public meeting at the Lawrence Public Library on May 25. The purpose of the meeting is to learn more about efforts to establish a grocery store in downtown Lawrence to address the federally designated food desert that impacts neighborhoods in northeast Lawrence.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">The meeting will be from 6 to 7 p.m., Thursday, May 25, in Meeting Room C on the lower level of the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont Street.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Also, I’ve attached a map to illustrate the food desert issue in Lawrence. For additional information, please take a look at the following articles published online by the Lawrence Journal-World:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2016/dec/19/those-living-lawrences-food-deserts-getting-food-t/" target="_blank">http://www2.ljworld.com/news/<wbr>2016/dec/19/those-living-<wbr>lawrences-food-deserts-<wbr>getting-food-t/</a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2017/jan/02/lawrence-city-commission-hear-update-local-grocery/" target="_blank">http://www2.ljworld.com/news/<wbr>2017/jan/02/lawrence-city-<wbr>commission-hear-update-local-<wbr>grocery/</a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Finally, the site plan for development of a downtown grocery store at 700 New Hampshire Street has been submitted to the City of Lawrence. The plan and application document are attached and can be accessed at <a href="https://lawrenceks.org/pds/submittals/" target="_blank">https://lawrenceks.org/pds/<wbr>submittals/</a>.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for reviewing this information. For additional information and to stay informed about the committee’s work, please visit/join the committee’s Facebook group at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/DTGrocery/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/<wbr>groups/DTGrocery/</a>.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Charlie Bryan, MPA<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Community Health Planner<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department</p></div></div>