LAWRENCE — A pair of challenges — a lawsuit working its way through the Douglas County District Court, and a looming deadline to qualify for federal tax credits — may threaten the fate of a proposed $234 million solar farm north of Lawrence.
Neighboring landowners have filed suit to block construction of the Kansas Sky Energy Center, a 600-acre project that would install enough solar panels in northern Douglas County to power 30,000 homes, the Lawrence Journal World reported. The plaintiffs said the solar farm would create stormwater problems and violate other county codes.
A judge has stopped all work from beginning on the site while the case is underway. If the neighbors win, it’s possible the solar project’s developers would have to abandon the plans.
But a court victory may not be finalized in time for the project to qualify for federal tax credits, the newspaper noted, because President Trump has set a deadline for projects to be “substantially under construction” by July 6, 2026, if the project wants to qualify for tax credits.
If the project received 30% in tax credits — a common amount for commercial projects — that would equate to about $70 million in tax credits.
“While we cannot comment on specifics, Evergy is confident in meeting the requirements for tax credits for the benefit of Evergy Kansas Central customers, including those in Douglas County,” spokesperson Courtney Lewis told the Journal-World.
The case is set to go to trial in April, and could easily stretch past the July 6 deadline, when accounting for appeals and other potential delays, the newspaper reported.
Former dog track revitalized
PITTSBURG — The sun-faded sign with missing letters of Camptown will soon have a flashy new look, much like the building’s interior.
After decades of sitting empty and unused, the former dog track along U.S. 69 north of Pittsburg is being revitalized as Camptown Event Center.
“It was an eyesore,” Director of Event Sales and Coordination Demaris Rector told the Pittsburg Morning Sun. “So, one of the things they wanted to do was buy it, fix it up and make it a source of pride for this area, something for the community.”
The main event center is up to 40,000 square feet, capable of holding up to 3,000 people. A full service bar is being added. An area will be dedicated as a wedding and reception area. Eventually, a full kitchen and in-house catering will be available, the newspaper reported.
There’s plenty of space for other opportunities, such as business conferences or corporate conventions.
The Camptown Dog Track opened its doors in 1995, but closed six months later. It has been largely unused for the following 30 years, aside from a two-month stretch in 1999 and 2000, when it again operated as a dog track.
The Marietta family acquired the facility in 2024, and has since then overseen a massive remodeling, although the climate control and electrical infrastructure remained largely intact and did not need to be replaced, the Morning Sun reported.
Emporia State settles lawsuit
