<div dir="auto">Eric,<div dir="auto">Just now reading the flurry of emails!  I think I have some additional reading on opportunity zones.  Let me try to find them.</div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr">On Thu, Jan 10, 2019, 06:48 Eric Kirkendall via Electronic-lan <<a href="mailto:electronic-lan@lists.ku.edu">electronic-lan@lists.ku.edu</a> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><br>Hi fellow LAN reps, I meant to include the LAN on this conversation from the beginning, but misaddressed my email message.  <div><br></div><div>Regards, Eric</div><div>785-550-3408<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="auto"><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div class="m_8369594485125516878m_-7943433325259505023m_-9046103478099786980WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p></div><div><div dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div lang="EN-US"><div class="m_8369594485125516878m_-7943433325259505023m_-9046103478099786980m_-6778089084834981743m_-7098710484835773550gmail-m_-4737641000330981057gmail-m_8670817345583509239gmail-m_5016809331692640778WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Eric Kirkendall <<a href="mailto:kirkendall1@gmail.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">kirkendall1@gmail.com</a>>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 7, 2019 7:17 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Lisa Larsen <<a href="mailto:llarsen@lawrenceks.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">llarsen@lawrenceks.org</a>>; Matthew Herbert <<a href="mailto:matthewjherbert@gmail.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">matthewjherbert@gmail.com</a>>; Jennifer
 Ananda <<a href="mailto:jananda@lawrenceks.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">jananda@lawrenceks.org</a>>; Leslie Soden <<a href="mailto:lsoden@lawrenceks.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">lsoden@lawrenceks.org</a>>; Stuart Boley <<a href="mailto:sboley@lawrenceks.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">sboley@lawrenceks.org</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Bobbie Walthall <<a href="mailto:bjwalthall@lawrenceks.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">bjwalthall@lawrenceks.org</a>>; Diane Stoddard <<a href="mailto:dstoddard@lawrenceks.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">dstoddard@lawrenceks.org</a>>;
<a href="mailto:electronic-lan-request@lists.ku.edu" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">
electronic-lan-request@lists.ku.edu</a>; Chad Lawhorn <<a href="mailto:clawhorn@ljworld.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">clawhorn@ljworld.com</a>>; Rochelle Valverde <<a href="mailto:rvalverde@ljworld.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">rvalverde@ljworld.com</a>>;
 Phil Collison <<a href="mailto:phil@collison.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">phil@collison.com</a>>; Michael Almon <<a href="mailto:paradigm@sunflower.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">paradigm@sunflower.com</a>>;
<a href="mailto:keith.d.muller81@gmail.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">keith.d.muller81@gmail.com</a>; East Lawrence Neighborhood Association <<a href="mailto:eastlawrence@yahoo.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">eastlawrence@yahoo.com</a>>;
<a href="mailto:jesse@calledtogreatness.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">jesse@calledtogreatness.com</a>; Daniel Poull <<a href="mailto:danielppoull@gmail.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">danielppoull@gmail.com</a>>; Phil Minkin <<a href="mailto:pminkin@juno.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">pminkin@juno.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Why were the East Lawrence, Brook Creek Neighborhoods, and part of the Barker neighborhood turned into an "Opportunity Zone" with no involvement by homeowners or neighborhood groups, and without advance notice?<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear City Commissioners,<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I am writing on behalf of myself only.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I recently read an article about opportunity zones that claims they are very dangerous for communities: </p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia,serif;color:blue;letter-spacing:-0.1pt">But these misguided policies have lasting consequences. For one, there is no way to ensure that investors who were already planning to put money into housing or infrastructure
 don’t just decide to do it in opportunity zones to reap the tax benefits. Second,
<b><u><a href="mailto:jesse@calledtogreatness.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">the zones typically allow investors to retain complete control</a></u>
</b>over their projects. <b><u>After state governments designate the areas, local communities get no say over what is invested in and by whom.</u></b> Don’t like the new toll road in your town financed by a hedge fund? You may have no way to vote it down or
 give input into how it’s implemented.</span><span style="color:rgb(153,0,255)"> 
</span><span style="color:black">(<a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewrepublic.com%2Farticle%2F152670%2Ftrumps-gentrification-scheme-enrich-real-estate-developers&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502227153&sdata=8kFEgEFLvwIuUhu%2BDXJPHxnT84lGgqpODM%2BwvuV%2BCFc%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://newrepublic.com/article/152670/trumps-gentrification-scheme-enrich-real-estate-developers" shash="NT6L9azjCau7GBd2YJnVoRaz7MzyOGDT4al1rhR2PHGA+t60bJtJFIvF7W1iVhlq9Ug9Oo9eg4KgUDQAK4IVLbeGmEbaJjadEo+Lxdeih2wA4M4n36jSuQ0lic7cQFls2Pc41EVrQbFMGG6idUai7n96skBqSP74RAu+UEkO4pk=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Trump’s Gentrification Scheme to Enrich Real Estate Developers</a><u>)</u></span><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u>Then, while checking to see where Opportunity Zones are located in Kansas, I found a
<u><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flawrenceks.org%2Fed%2Fopportunity-zones%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502237166&sdata=CVC%2FWIOrNxCR6D2l5L7r3YLo8%2BdvgtdD9GfEGhIzVj4%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://lawrenceks.org/ed/opportunity-zones/" shash="CcfzCQUEnJ0s9hdJKdC0gtlbMNxxcQ5cppdAKgbmmu9Pjxst+DcDciIMJ5nH1FssHluEPrwAqRuh0nTU8St3SqMgUhqxnpBiCLHboXjIUikVQBTm2LjIjJMo3NWyHBIQIiYtCaR15RRr4I7/JhydP3ceouA3T2JF+rPBtPJWmRk=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">City of Lawrence web page</a></u> that says there are two in Lawrence, including one encompassing the East Lawrence, Brook Creek neighborhoods, part of the Barker neighborhood,
 and more.</p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">More digging revealed this <u><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.lawrenceks.org%2Fassets%2Fagendas%2Fcc%2F2018%2F03-06-18%2Fcmreport-markus-ltr-governor-coyler-submittal-tracts-eligible-census-tracts-opportunity-zones-executed.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502247171&sdata=CQKIDHpSUdXYs5Sqso9R1EC%2BMUoU%2BQl%2BRdLaDnUHChM%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/03-06-18/cmreport-markus-ltr-governor-coyler-submittal-tracts-eligible-census-tracts-opportunity-zones-executed.pdf" shash="vzeo1mHWcpYYOQ7xO7YBIbMUt0MPwfxumoJ25dYkkN9ddkSt3oMYJGwIQwHkKmBgM2e5bZYv7sbxS/C3DbZBHioD13Ap7bBcKgJhmQ/eNimHHCcv9l7+rDNs7T5FXGMfIFOf1A9V6raf1O1sH7hC0auO/uTgsvIKUMup79Wknfk=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">memo</a><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.lawrenceks.org%2Fassets%2Fagendas%2Fcc%2F2018%2F03-06-18%2Fcmreport-markus-ltr-governor-coyler-submittal-tracts-eligible-census-tracts-opportunity-zones-executed.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502257176&sdata=uGpVlWlfQKVfoIwwHw5VV0oTd1QuWVd6zP4KZzwB9lc%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/03-06-18/cmreport-markus-ltr-governor-coyler-submittal-tracts-eligible-census-tracts-opportunity-zones-executed.pdf" shash="kbMFM1nK1zUKTVYu4GO1v5YT4L382Bkg1/XnYJCaPz0kmiOgg0061gbXYWdJiYhXRii4raifJa3Y//WP2GxSTJP2c73xHxmg1Bne+kw3uycM+2SuLfPxgVKfHZ20jUnuatgotcd2rO1L5jcYpDGn1kqPH7bV7J0kSCFUJvwYbyo=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">
 from the City Manager to the Governor, stating that the City of Lawrence requested that these Opportunity Zones be formed</a></u>, and this <u><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.lawrenceks.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F06%2Foz-governor-designation-letter.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502267208&sdata=HGYXXCZRLvdRtjlrCPrdVmekmVYwbXkcIP1B44ZqG64%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://cdn.lawrenceks.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/oz-governor-designation-letter.pdf" shash="GQw5fT/wiB+MzvuEOWr0eF52QmO0W8QuDL2jo0izYtgFRTXAU67C7z1Q+ljgq0wI0BHc+HSsTdtaLCMQr0IgFGQuLCqWn+KXoaE7sQQWqju2j5c6q/hRMh4NjFCRK3YPaKUBK2AoLoe/xMzz9GiF4Y/EdXfgqjVqII5oXfX7fMg=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">memo
 from the Governor to the City Manager</a></u>, which indicates that the opportunity zone recommendation was accepted.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">A few calls revealed that the involved neighborhood associations were not briefed on the ramifications of this designation, or invited to be part of the decisionmaking process before the Opportunity Zones were formed.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I am sure you agree that good governance requires public involvement in decisionmaking. I am very unhappy that neither homeowners like my wife and I nor neighborhood organizations representing the residents were notified in advance or given
 the opportunity to be involved in making this decision.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
</div>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Three questions: <u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">1. Why and how was this very important decision made without notification to and involvement of homeowers, residents, and neighborhood groups? <u></u><u></u></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">2. What deliberations were held before this governance decision was made, who was involved, and was there a discussion of the pros and cons, and possible impacts on homeowners, businesses, and residents?<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">3. Can you please have an informed discussion of this matter with property owners, residents, and businesses in the affected neighborhoods so we can determine what if anything can and should be done to protect homeowners, residents, and
 neighborhoods from negative consequences of this action? <u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Eric Kirkendall<u></u><u></u></p>
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<div>
<p class="MsoNormal">785-550-3408</p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">---------------------<br></p><div id="m_8369594485125516878gmail-m_-7943433325259505023m_-9046103478099786980divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><br></div><div><div dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">On Tue, Jan 8, 2019 at 12:12 PM Diane Stoddard <<a href="mailto:dstoddard@lawrenceks.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">dstoddard@lawrenceks.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div lang="EN-US"><div class="m_8369594485125516878gmail-m_-7943433325259505023m_-9046103478099786980m_-6778089084834981743m_-7098710484835773550gmail-m_-4737641000330981057gmail-m_8670817345583509239gmail-m_5016809331692640778WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">HI Eric,<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thank you for your email. <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Let me first address the history of how the two opportunity zones were designated in Lawrence.  As you may know, Opportunity Zones were created as part of the 2017 Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  So, this is a federal incentive program. This legislation set forth a process for Governors in each state to designate zones within their states and only a certain number of zones were able to be designated state-wide.  On February 20, 2018. The City received a <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.lawrenceks.org%2Fassets%2Fagendas%2Fcc%2F2018%2F03-06-18%2Fcmreport-oz-call-for-designations.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502267208&sdata=gtNIR56R3nw5E4yLu%2BL7SSC8SyL2%2BNh4Zu3BrpyS5ck%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/03-06-18/cmreport-oz-call-for-designations.pdf" shash="YEctCBZ31fwu34RvAKHx1SV3zV+e0L+R80pw3qFAiwa49/GrBs3WJrC7Je+DwYwUJ/vK4CLfE/tEXRuN3UOGRNP95RTGWha5rveRe9EU048nrV7qFtAeT2uAR45k3IWToU1XA73FbLaYQtj3FUK1p/nUkC/dGxsC7pmFWwz7O4Q=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">request for nominations from local communities</a> from the State of Kansas.  The deadline for nominations was March 1, 2018.  There was not time to have this issue before the City Commission as an agenda item.  However, staff followed the criteria outlined in the call for designation requests from the State of Kansas, which specified the local communities provide tracts that not only met the low-income census tract definition, but also an identification of at least one project that could be ready to go.  The rationale for the particular tract that includes the east Lawrence area is that tract includes the proposed grocery store project site and also encompassed Lawrence VenturePark and East Hills Business Park (it is a very large tract).  Additional investment is certainly desired by the community within these existing business parks, which is the reason for their creation.  Again, the grocery project that has been pending, was an active potential project that we were able to point to related to the census tract.  Given the extremely short timeframe provided by the State of Kansas, and also the federal government request to the State (states had to make their nominations by March 21, 2018), the City did the best it could to position the City to take advantage of these new tools and be transparent about its submittals.  An opportunity zone section of the City’s website is quite prominent on our economic development page.   At the end of this email, I provide links to the specific updates provided to the City Commission on this topic.<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Secondly, I would like to address the premise of the article that you cite in your email.  While there are certainly numerous opinions about whether Opportunity Zones will do what is intended- which is to create investment opportunities in low income areas, a community definitely would not be able to take advantage of the opportunity for additional investment if a tract is not designated.  There may be specific investors that may target capital to projects for these zones.  In that sense, we are competing with all of the other designated opportunity zones and also have an investment opportunity that other areas that aren’t designated zones do not have.  Will there potentially be projects that would have been undertaken anyway in these areas?  Certainly.  However, I would point out that this is how numerous federal tax credit programs operate.  Take the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) program or the federal historic tax credit as examples.  Projects are automatically eligible for participation in these programs if they meet the criteria outlined by the program.  The same is true with Opportunity Zones.  I would also point out that these are federal tax benefits, not local tax benefits.  Additionally, the article makes it appear that the local government has absolutely no control over projects that are undertaken within Opportunity Zones.  I suppose the author could have meant that we have no authority over whether a project is eligible to utilize the Opportunity Zone benefits, which is accurate.  However, the City still maintains all of its land use, zoning and other controls over a project. <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">Now, to your specific questions:<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal">1. Why and how was this very important decision made without notification to and involvement of homeowers, residents, and neighborhood groups? <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.5in"><i>I have explained the very unique circumstances with the deadlines on this program.   Despite this, the City has tried to be as transparent as possible about the process, and our communications, and the decision of the Governor’s office regarding our nominated tracts.  I suppose that with the March 6 City Manager’s report item that if there was community concern, those concerns could have been voiced and the City could have amended the letter.  I would concur that it would have been appropriate to have public input, discussion and City Commission action on this item had time allowed.  However, it was our opinion that enabling the community access to this important economic development tool was worth moving forward.  Only 74 tracts in Kansas were designated by the Governor and the City of Lawrence has two of them.  There are numerous communities that did not act swiftly and provide a response and they are left behind regarding the opportunity. <u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">2. What deliberations were held before this governance decision was made, who was involved, and was there a discussion of the pros and cons, and possible impacts on homeowners, businesses, and residents?<u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.5in;text-align:justify"><i>Again, related to the timeframe we were working within, City staff and our economic development partners were involved in the discussion leading to the correspondence on the original suggested tracts. <u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">3. Can you please have an informed discussion of this matter with property owners, residents, and businesses in the affected neighborhoods so we can determine what if anything can and should be done to protect homeowners, residents, and neighborhoods from negative consequences of this action? <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.5in"><i>Federal IRS guidelines on opportunity zones were just released in late October 2018.  We have been learning about this guidance.  Your question is timely in that we have just set a date for an information session to be held in the community.  The session will be held the afternoon of February 12.  We will be sure to include invitations to the neighborhood associations which intersect with the opportunity zones.  Additionally, we will let you know about these details which should be coming soon.  There will be a city manager’s report item, news release and social medial promotion about this event as well. <u></u><u></u></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">March 6 CM report:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><u><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">Opportunity Zone Designation Request Submitted</span></u></b><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 calls for the designation of Opportunity Zones, which are qualifying low-income census tracts within communities.  The Opportunity Zone designation provides a tax incentive for the reinvestment of unrealized capital gains into investments into the area.  The program enables deferral and reduction of capital gains taxes when the gain is invested in these areas.  The Governor of the State of Kansas has the opportunity to only designate 70 census tracts within the entire state.  A </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.lawrenceks.org%2Fassets%2Fagendas%2Fcc%2F2018%2F03-06-18%2Fcmreport-oz-call-for-designations.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502277191&sdata=0otwjMQa5W1wh1JSn4zxbN27K9rr%2F898sepGfPBgTWc%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/03-06-18/cmreport-oz-call-for-designations.pdf" shash="dExCDii5RSGj2mhrlRrDIHJsIgvt0qimTdaRojWdP6pmgSsH2y+MbUwbvHKB+3/HqXR+LZvCkL1qixOpOGy3AFFp4TYpNKSYDwUEVZP4IsZNG+qAptav8nFfEBUdc840RemSEf7nD/Bj5K887ThmFYq6ybc0lfXj+v3cBPLygko=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:purple">call for designation requests</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black"> was sent out by the Governor’s office February 20, with a deadline of March 1.  This timeframe did not allow formal consideration of submitted tracts by the City Commission.  Staff submitted 4 tracts for consideration, with the top priority being the large tract that encompasses the east portion of the downtown area and Lawrence VenturePark and East Hills Business Park.  Tracts with projects that are pending will be more favorably considered, which was the rationale for the prioritization submitted.  </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.lawrenceks.org%2Fassets%2Fagendas%2Fcc%2F2018%2F03-06-18%2Fcmreport-markus-ltr-governor-coyler-submittal-tracts-eligible-census-tracts-opportunity-zones-executed.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502287195&sdata=Q649B6EyDQ2pLO0DaGLSKWPLYbrZwEkB6Q%2F%2BU2bYFBw%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/03-06-18/cmreport-markus-ltr-governor-coyler-submittal-tracts-eligible-census-tracts-opportunity-zones-executed.pdf" shash="yOecWreDoP9FTyQz1cqodzrmjLbSsqSrFCz69OrwCwo2JcmBwWOPzTu5KoX2hm6QKHk7XQ814sUu96t12/P8RQ/PWx2vJXGIyVprBV8i87PItzDRXMpWbyGywkfTd6eVOE3BxFTbDzPx7nH0VzXuuxtfbj/BkZtSLzNR4tgFITU=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:purple">Attached</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black"> is the letter submitted by the City for designation consideration.  Information about the census tracts can be found at this online map, by searching Lawrence, Kansas:  </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.novoco.com%2Fresource-centers%2Fnew-markets-tax-credits%2Fdata-tools%2Fnmtc-mapping-tool&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502297205&sdata=mH06BKzOkdtMlixhYCtOlL%2Bd%2BHep%2FAV2B2xSCD8NgGQ%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://www.novoco.com/resource-centers/new-markets-tax-credits/data-tools/nmtc-mapping-tool" shash="mVdC+BcyNIu7LQdJf6FcPvYlN6n2+aV32NxssRcu9rjINKkqaRKjOYmQbMWEP6siIpy8zwiD76nUzHGJVVZqBq89T+kPSFBqiK4bqjsZvujFtMoS8okMqR27WPE718iNaDcn/HVXTBaFHfpcZLeDAqoCFUicqMmqgZXyFWPdxpk=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:purple">https://www.novoco.com/resource-centers/new-markets-tax-credits/data-tools/nmtc-mapping-tool</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">. </span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.lawrenceks.org%2Fassets%2Fagendas%2Fcc%2F2018%2F03-06-18%2Fcmreport.html&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502297205&sdata=DDvfmDkhQmlql6XNXaGE8PDUHCq7vtwq3FLn6d%2Bpskk%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/03-06-18/cmreport.html" shash="ajuYnh9EJCfEsa2ukNwLKMEf+Vap+pwfIM+xj3115OOSESVfdJhCS5aaA69dO/Vne4MqyHtIplwXgG309oLicBgV3K3+IDEej5bUXd2WQbJ7YjzbxGDeMlx8NvUHT7tvNpwwStc2N+U7uj+P4/e0kMl4GxIkn/7iocnKPvRx/IA=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/03-06-18/cmreport.html</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif">May 15 CM Report:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><u><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">Two Opportunity Zones Designated in Lawrence</span></u></b><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">Governor Colyer has announced two Opportunity Zones have been designated in Lawrence.  The new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 calls for the designation of Opportunity Zones, which are qualifying low-income census tracts within communities.  The Opportunity Zone designation provides a tax incentive for the reinvestment of unrealized capital gains into investments into a qualified Opportunity Fund, relating to investment within the Opportunity Zone areas.  The Governor had the opportunity to only designate 70 census tracts within the entire state and two tracts were chosen for designation within Lawrence.  The first tract is located on the east side of Massachusetts Street and includes the East Lawrence Neighborhood, Brook Creek Neighborhood, portions of the Barker Neighborhood, Lawrence Venture Park and East Hills Business Park.  The second tract includes the University of Kansas campus and West campus.   </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.lawrenceks.org%2Fassets%2Fagendas%2Fcc%2F2018%2F05-15-18%2Fcmreport-opportunity-zones-ltr.pdf&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502307214&sdata=c9PxG%2BxPwU2JyUOfUY%2FHA%2F2TDH6FrD4vE0wND9OykOU%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/05-15-18/cmreport-opportunity-zones-ltr.pdf" shash="J++IS7Gni9DQqjBg6FUG8x3nluvEv5zwI36HAsJbZOxh0l/eqBK41GKw0tm06s1fnMHMKwBTHs08tlAipCWfBAB/FDxEhihmBjtFnkWAOkfWz57D3+w5FgIJBi/Bpc4dBDDMRoN/HKfwSGlZUBdtfLvlm8wv+BEYYbfwEM98YaA=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:purple">Attached</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black"> is the letter submitted by the City for designation consideration with a more in depth description of the tracts.  Information about the census tracts can be found at this online map, by searching Lawrence, Kansas:  </span><span style="color:black"><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.novoco.com%2Fresource-centers%2Fnew-markets-tax-credits%2Fdata-tools%2Fnmtc-mapping-tool&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502317219&sdata=TyGpTzIgfnw1ccyNm2k34WlA%2FPyq%2F1f4oYpt0fdXE94%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://www.novoco.com/resource-centers/new-markets-tax-credits/data-tools/nmtc-mapping-tool" shash="XnNxFs5V7nlUQioNA4xnUI9HJn71jm+vu82ARPp0F46PeaFnBBv1tCgDv9fp1ux1hkvYlArhuQ6GuruiXpa2ziBZUYht/NJaPMNHTiUsnpDE9VFmBbfjmWPSc2r6IsARXlt5fCwhw3Sh/svwBurgAv1HG7dkOmJcE35CRcCGpPE=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:purple">https://www.novoco.com/resource-centers/new-markets-tax-credits/data-tools/nmtc-mapping-tool</span></a></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif;color:black">. </span><span style="color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Tahoma,sans-serif"><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.lawrenceks.org%2Fassets%2Fagendas%2Fcc%2F2018%2F05-15-18%2Fcmreport.html&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502327228&sdata=CGEjylhPONf%2BRJxEBzozyrLJ7pTTo5%2BzXatin0SBNX0%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/05-15-18/cmreport.html" shash="DNxoHaSCutUqPLmfNWUApnWeyeHjiy5n9GLe0FuZYZxAiE/VFoMohBa4AyNaX4M77OqSTwk7Kfa08+myQC1hrTBK/QR/Dd0rdSh2WoCsU9Cl0q4Trim73wT8pzzbY8IGYYpziQWWed3wJHxWa464aNDgdUKXTLkiWwojvh4+j/A=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">https://assets.lawrenceks.org/assets/agendas/cc/2018/05-15-18/cmreport.html</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Thanks, Diane<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><img border="0" width="240" height="56" id="m_8369594485125516878gmail-m_-7943433325259505023m_-9046103478099786980m_-6778089084834981743m_-7098710484835773550gmail-m_-4737641000330981057gmail-m_8670817345583509239gmail-m_5016809331692640778Picture_x0020_1" alt="signature" style="width:2.5in;height:0.5833in"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Diane Stoddard</span></b><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">, Assistant City Manager – <a href="mailto:dstoddard@lawrenceks.org" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">dstoddard@lawrenceks.org</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">City Manager’s Office | <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lawrenceks.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502327228&sdata=xevR0dixIa2K4bi4adxPN4cfRNX51fafhJmx8oidkQs%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="http://www.lawrenceks.org/" shash="dmLlG4zJbT5/ug45DnxQSxlOzn6NIvHP2NiOqksQE60vkSHPZe7/luhUl16UDaxPwAf8DMihtFFAJaXBL6mkrHyw4+Nk3+tZPf9emdSyeS1eOiLK1pkaOLKjI95rKTKO7JwO6ZunynVNLZ+NO8Ev7mIEDK9r2HwL46kpuqfQCEg=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">City of Lawrence, KS</a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">P.O Box 708, Lawrence, KS 66044<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">office (785) 832-3413| fax (785) 832-3405</span></p></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div id="m_8369594485125516878gmail-m_-7943433325259505023m_-9046103478099786980divRplyFwdMsg" dir="ltr"><font face="Calibri, sans-serif" color="#000000" style="font-size:11pt"><b>From:</b> Eric Kirkendall <<a href="mailto:kirkendall1@gmail.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">kirkendall1@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 9, 2019 5:07:03 AM<br><b>To:</b> Diane Stoddard<br><b>Cc:</b> Lisa Larsen; Matthew Herbert; Jennifer Ananda; Leslie Soden; Stuart Boley; Bobbie Walthall; <a href="mailto:electronic-lan-request@lists.ku.edu" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">electronic-lan-request@lists.ku.edu</a>; Chad Lawhorn; Rochelle Valverde; Phil Collison; Michael Almon; <a href="mailto:keith.d.muller81@gmail.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">keith.d.muller81@gmail.com</a>; East Lawrence Neighborhood Association; <a href="mailto:jesse@calledtogreatness.com" rel="noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">jesse@calledtogreatness.com</a>; Daniel Poull; Phil Minkin<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: Why were the East Lawrence, Brook Creek Neighborhoods, and part of the Barker neighborhood turned into an "Opportunity Zone" with no involvement by homeowners or neighborhood groups, and without advance notice?</font><div> </div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u></p><div><div dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr">Hi Diane, </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Thank you for addressing my questions so quickly, for scheduling an information session, and for the background information. I very much appreciate your responsiveness, and have blocked out the afternoon of February 12 for this meeting.</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">I am glad to hear that the author of <a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnewrepublic.com%2Farticle%2F152670%2Ftrumps-gentrification-scheme-enrich-real-estate-developers&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502337233&sdata=4yJH3oSPvE5JZCKVBv%2FWLKiJDN60nyoLIjgY5bV5AvM%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://newrepublic.com/article/152670/trumps-gentrification-scheme-enrich-real-estate-developers" shash="FTKb2ahqtj1GoYqAJ4Z1tint7K4KdEbN1c8Evtr7xEVlqchX/rdUpjIdkEjIhJy3cfo0ayHEPGyeDhsg3MujdTWkchCSmQ8bdiD2w0XZvXsBW5yrUajf8jerNpD4wd8uEofiXAIQy1t+r7Ja4Tboxh6xyP/RdQx37fAmk+hyCGQ=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">Trump’s Gentrification Scheme to Enrich Real Estate Developers</a> was incorrect when she concluded that developers will have railroad-like exemptions to local land use controls.  </div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div>That said, as a guy who has known about this city decision for just two days, so doesn't know much, I remain concerned, and suggest that our City Commissioners and neighborhood organizations get deeply involved as soon as possible.  </div><div><br></div><div>An illustration of why I think we should be very concerned -  a post made just yesterday by the very mainstream Tax Foundation, <u><a href="https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftaxfoundation.org%2Fopportunity-zones-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont%2F&data=02%7C01%7Celectronic-lan%40lists.ku.edu%7C6d3a56f0fd884d95d30908d67c036d39%7C3c176536afe643f5b96636feabbe3c1a%7C0%7C0%7C636832751502347243&sdata=p6Dp%2BuYYItafPJLBTN%2Fl4%2FBtpJMWcl2nUhDZZB7c0pw%3D&reserved=0" originalSrc="https://taxfoundation.org/opportunity-zones-what-we-know-and-what-we-dont/" shash="C/fZswcibGg07/YexhH2CmMnpzax4I4Oqjwde4zb0Px2NFDkdHeKRRHZN6V6QdsmVD65bBbNaDvRysqZdmxsKqophdpIoYiJ6OzKiwakfYn/+QZ8+5Firj6BtYQD2+ZEhWuCosPSqZcSxxGfge0QOrLVyi3AjndE08kTaYXZqLI=" rel="noreferrer noreferrer noreferrer" target="_blank">Opportunity Zones: What We Know and What We Don’t</a>, </u>includes the following findings (emphasis mine):</div><div><div><ul><li>Research suggests place-based incentive programs redistribute rather than generate new economic activity, subsidize investments that would have occurred anyway, and <i><b>displace low-income residents </b></i>by increasing property values and encouraging higher skilled workers to relocate to the area.<br></li></ul></div><div><ul><li>While opportunity zones present certain budgetary and economic costs, it is unclear whether opportunity zone tax preferences used to attract investment will actually benefit distressed communities.<br></li></ul></div></div><div>Regards,</div><div><br></div><div>Eric Kirkendall</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div>785-550-3408 </div></div></div>
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