City HallTuesday, November 3
City commissioners will consider two bond issuances for KU's Gateway project on Tuesday
The Daily Lawrence team
If you follow KU's Gateway project, Tuesday's Lawrence City Commission meeting is the one to know. Commissioners will be asked to consider authorizing up to $75 million in STAR bonds and up to $25 million in Community Improvement District bonds. KU wants them issued now to keep the project on schedule.
KU's Gateway project carries an $808.7 million price tag
- $808.7 million
- estimated cost of the Gateway project
- $75 million
- most the city would authorize in STAR bonds
- $25 million
- most the city would authorize in CID bonds
- $94.6 million
- in local tax incentives approved, at most
Sources: Lawrence Journal-World, The Lawrence Times
The Lawrence Times reports the commission approved up to $94.6 million in local tax incentives in August 2025, so this vote is about issuing bonds for tax breaks they approved last year. The project includes renovating the football stadium and building a conference center and a mixed-use district with an outdoor plaza, hotel, student housing, parking and retail.
About 75% of Gateway's cost comes from donors, KU Athletics and private debt
75%of the estimated cost funded by donors, KU Athletics and private debt
Source: The Lawrence Times
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| of the estimated cost funded by donors, KU Athletics and private debt | 75% |
- Vote: Lawrence City Commission, Tuesday
- Repayment: tax revenue generated by the Gateway project
- Rest of funding: state and federal dollars
Sources: Lawrence Journal-World, The Lawrence Times