Delaware Street Commons :: Communities Directory

Formed: 1999 Established: 2007

This page last updated:8/19/2010

Delaware Street Commons

Lawrence, Kansas,

United States

We are Delaware Street Commons, a growing community where residents feel comfortable to be who they are and children are happy in a loving, healthy environment.

Nestled in the heart of America, Lawrence, Kansas, is a cultural oasis fostering an emerging mini-renaissance. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, Lawrence, Kansas, is among the top twelve cites in the country with the largest percentage of professional artists in the work force.

“It’s a city that just doesn’t taste like the rest of Kansas…Pour in a liberal helping of college students and faculty from all over the world. Season with a growing core of biosciences researchers, artists, and professional musicians who work and study at the university. Zest the mix with live music, art galleries, nationally known musicians, dancers, actors, and singers."

With such cultural diversity, one of the public middle schools has children from over forty countries in attendance.

Delaware Street Commons is just a short walk along lovely tree-lined neighborhoods and over brick streets to the artsy, vibrant downtown. Here you’ll find a slew of parks, water play areas, a library, the post office, shops for all interests, bakeries, farmer’s markets, and many ongoing festivals. And just minutes away by car or bike, hundreds of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, fishing, camping, and swimming await you.

Delaware Street Commons is a cohousing community of 21 energy efficient attached homes that are individually owned or rented. Members share the amenities, which include outdoor garden space and grounds on two acres, a 2200-sq-ft Common House with a large kitchen and dining room, children’s play area, laundry facilities, exercise room, great room, and meeting space. Residents support the community by working together to maintain the common areas.

We are a mix of singles, families, and retirees who value a strong sense of community. We enjoy spontaneous, informal social interactions as well as community gatherings for potlucks, celebrations, house concerts by local musicians, or sometimes just a quiet evening hanging out by the fire and playing a game of Scrabble. Our neighborhood offers a healthy blend of community and personal privacy. We invite you to consider growing with us at Delaware Street Commons.

Website: http://www.delaware-street.com/

Contact:

Delaware Street Commons
1222 Delaware St
Lawrence, Kansas 66044 United States
Phone: 785-550-0163

Rich Minder
Lawrence, Kansas United States
Phone: 785-550-0163

Links:

Delaware Street Commons

Community location is placed at the center of the zip/postal code, city/state, or city/country (not based on street addresses)

Former/Other Names: Lawrence Cohousing

This page last updated:8/19/2010

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: Visitors are welcome at all community events, especially Wednesday and Sunday evening suppers. Our community calendar is available at our website. Please call or send an email.

Network Affiliations:

Fellowship for Intentional Community

:: Coho/US

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 56 (Fully occupied, but homes for sale and rent available periodically.) Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: Yes (Rotating Steering Committee)	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected (Maintenance of the community is the members' responsibilty) Join Fee: Yes (Membership is home ownership or rental.) Regular Fees: Yes (Monthly homeowners association dues or rent)
Land and Buildings Small Town (urban infill in established neighborhood) Area: 2.2 acres (0.9 hectares) (Lots of room for green space and gardens!) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 23 (21 new townhomes, 2 homes in renovated building) Cohousing: Yes (The first (and only) cohousing community in Kansas!)	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (Potluck dinner on Sunday evenings and Simple Supper on Wednesday evenings) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (Vegetarian options are available at common meals.) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally Tobacco Use: Seldom used (Prohibited in common house)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No (We have no common spiritual path, but we are open to seekers on all paths.) Which Spiritual Traditions(s): Ecumenical (includes "all religions") Educational Style(s): (Many schooling options available in community. Schooling decisions are up to parens.)

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Completed

(Homes periodically for sale or rent. Please call.)

Year Completed:

2007

(Moved in June 2007)

Number of Units:

21 new two and three bedroom townhouses; one pre-existing older house

Square Feet in Common House:

2200

(Our Common House features a large community room, ample kitchen, kids' space, living room with fireplace, an exercise room and a laundry room. We also have a large community garden and are planning a workshop space.)

Architect:

Kirk Gastinger of Gastinger Walker Harden Architects, Kansas City, Missouri Kirk is wonderful to work with!

Developer:

We are self developed. Three households purchased the land as an LC, and later six households took out a construction loan.

Commercial Lender:

First State Bank, Lawrence Kansas A bridge loan was provided by Sunrise Credit Union of Colorado.

Click an image to see it full size.

Become an Editor Current editor(s): cohousing, metlhrst, lpeckham, penner

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