LAWRENCE — City of Lawrence Mayor Deb Whitfield has announced that the City of Lawrence is moving to establish two Riverfront Development Districts that could create new opportunities for restaurants, entertainment venues and cultural destinations in the Fort Harrison and Oaklandon areas.
Indiana law allows municipalities to establish designated Riverfront Development Districts where certain state liquor licensing requirements, including standard population quotas, do not apply. The districts are intended to support economic development and encourage investment in designated areas.
On August 19, the Lawrence Common Council adopted two resolutions establishing the Fort Harrison Riverfront Development District and the Oaklandon Road Riverfront Development District.
Under the resolutions, the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority (FHRA) and the Lawrence Redevelopment Commission (RDC) will develop guidelines for license applications and recommend to the Lawrence Common Council whether to issue licenses.