LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) -- Lawrence city officials have decided to designate the city's downtown and a surrounding area as a cultural district.

The city commissioners voted Tuesday night to approve a request from the Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission to create the district.

The arts commission envisioned linking historic, arts, natural and cultural heritage sites such as the Arts Center, New York School, the river and art galleries downtown and in the Warehouse Arts District.

The Lawrence Journal-World reports (http://bit.ly/YWQDPZ ) the arts groups suggested finding ways to combine private, public and grant funds to support improvements to the district.

The commission plans to appoint a task force soon to determine the initiatives it will undertake.