photo by: Baker University

The highlighted area in this map shows a 16-acre parcel adjacent to the Baker Wetlands that Baker University is considering selling to a developer for an affordable housing project.

Baker University on Thursday released a pair of statements about land development projects near the Baker Wetlands, one in response to the sprawling New Boston Crossing development proposal and the other regarding the university potentially selling a piece of land adjacent to the wetlands.

The land sale, according to one of the statements from the university, involves a private investment company that is looking to purchase a 16-acre parcel for the development of affordable housing. That land isn’t part of the Baker Wetlands, nor is it positioned within the floodplain, according to the statement.

Specifically, the parcel is located along Kansas Highway 10, neighboring the Baker University Wetlands Discovery Center at 1365 North 1250 Road.

No purchase has been finalized, and no definitive decision has been made by the university to sell the land. The statement notes that the developer intends to explore annexation and rezoning in the coming months.

“As the project progresses, Baker University is committed to maintaining transparency,” the statement reads. “Further details and FAQs will be provided to ensure the community has a comprehensive understanding of the project’s scope and intentions.”

The university is directing those with questions or concerns to contact info@bakeru.edu.

• • •

In the other statement shared Thursday, the university notes that it has closely monitored the proposed New Boston Crossing development, the 177-acre project looking to add hundreds of homes and tens of thousands of square feet of retail and hotel space at the southeast corner of the U.S. Highway 59 and South Lawrence Trafficway interchange.

photo by: Chad Lawhorn/Journal-World

An area just southeast of U.S. Highway 59 and the South Lawrence Trafficway, far right, is shown on Sept. 15, 2023. The area is proposed for a new mixed-use housing and retail development.

As the Journal-World reported, eight rezoning requests necessary to advance the project were approved by the Lawrence City Commission last month despite community concerns that a little less than half of the project site overlaps with the floodplain.

In the statement, the university says it’s been involved in discussions between the development company, Landplan Engineering, and various other stakeholders like Irene Unger, the director of Baker Wetlands. The university says Unger has raised concerns about the project regarding environmental impact, water management and community well-being.

“We have emphasized the importance of comprehensive environmental assessments, adherence to local regulations and transparent communication with the community,” the statement reads. “As the project progresses, we urge all involved parties, including the developers, local government officials and community members, to prioritize sustainability, environmental conservation and respect for Indigenous heritage.”