10
Wednesday, April 7, 1976
University Dally Kansan
Downtown keeps historical flavor
When the Lawrence City Commission decided to renovate the downtown area a few years ago, people might have thought the Lawrence they remembered would be gone forever. The response to the project changes, however, has been favorable.
Elfridge F. Rowe, local historian and a Lawrence resident since 1931, said yesterday, "I don't think they took away any information." Lawrence was still there, and that's what is important.
"I think it's wonderful. Downtown is so nice with the flowers blooming and the trees along the street. It wasn't a renovation project, it was a beautification of the area."
The renovation or beautification of the downtown area of Massachusetts from 5th to 10th floor.
"LAWRENCE ORIGINALLY applied for urban renewal funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1965," Nancy Hambleton, former mayor of Lawrence, said. "When the law changed, we reopened in 1877 under the Neighbourhood Development Program. And however we didn't receive any funding until 1971."
Hambleton said that when the federal
grant finally came, only half the
amount was responsible.
Mike Wilden, assistant city manager, said the remaining money had to be raised through the city commission and the downtown landowners.
"The total cost of the project was $1,044,000," he said. "The federal grant came to about $550,000, so the Lawrence team had to sponsor bonds totalling $855,000."
The rest of the money came from local taxes.
The beautification program included the replacement of old street lights with mercury vapor lights, placement of street lights in the middle of street blocks, improvement of alleys and repair of many sidewalks. The project also renovated many of the downtown storefronts and parking spaces in the four-block area, Wildgold said.
"WHAT MOST PEOPLE don't realize is that the project went far beyond beautification." Hamblen said. "We had to completely resurface Massachusetts and rebuild the street. We did this to get rid of the flood plane that existed there and to make it safer. We also improved utility wires underground, which improved the utility system there."
Another aspect of the downtown
museum is to improve the corner
site and Massa Lake.
"There used to be a gas station there and the corner didn't look too nice when entering the city from North Lawrence." It really the gateway to downtown Lawrence.
The gas station was replaced by the Town Center, an entwav-plaza to downtown.
Events ...
TODAY: THE KANSAS ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINT-
CPAIR will meet all day in the Jawahawk Room of the Kansas Union.
TONKIGHT: KU COLLEGE REPUBLICANS will meet at 7 in the Jayhawk Room of the Union. KU YOUNG DEMOCRATS will meet at 7 in Parlour A of the Union. A program on SPIRITUAL CHANTING will be at 7 in the United Ministries Center, 1204 Oread. A MUSEUM OF NATURE HISTORY, PARAMAG, Utilization of Kansas Plants, will be at 7 in the Dove Museum Panorama. The UNIVERSITY SINGERS will perform at 8 in Swarthout Residential Hall
TOMORROW: NOON-HOUR INTERNATIONAL will meet at 11:30 in Alcew F of the Union. FACULTY FORUM will meet at noon in the United Ministries Center, 124D Ourea. A program on WORLD FOOD INFORMATION DAY will be at 1 in the Big Eight room of the Union. HOWARD NEMEROV, American poet, will speak on "What Was Modern Poetry?" at 8 in the Jayhawk Room of the Union. ROERT SCRANTON, professor of classical art and archaeology at the University of Chicago, will speak on "City Planning in Classical Antiquity" at 8 in the Council Room of the Union.
Correction...
The Kansas incorrectly attributed the last quote in Monday's women's softball story to Nancy Stout. It should have been attested to coach Sharon Drysdale.
Beauty is only skin deep but
paint PROTECTS your car
John Haddock Ford Body Shop
HUFORD WATSON, city manager, said
concern the project is not yet fully
developed, the beautiful project,
and so far.
Wildgen said that in order for visitors to Lawrence to see the plaza as they came across the bridge, retaining walls had to be built so the area could be leveled.
paint any car
landscaped with trees and flowers. in the plaza area are flag poles and dainters.
$119^{95}
23rd and Alabama
every car hand sanded
Mechanical civil engi-
neature and space-and aeronautic
engineering majors ... majors
in electronics ... computer
Call 843-3500 for appointment
fering full scholarship. All offering $100 a month at the program, two years of the program. Flying opportunities. And all leading to an Air Force offence plus advanced education.
We're looking for certain majors to become Lieutenants.
The Air Force needs pre-
pared students to acclimatize
academic majors. And
entertain programs where you
can fit it, 4-year, 3-year or
1-year.
"The downtown area represents about 20 per cent of the Lawrence property taxes so felt it was important to maintain it. It's felt it was important for the downtown area," Watson said.
If you'd like to cash in on these Air Force benefits, start by looking into the Air Force ROTC.
"The local merchants were very much in favor of the project," he said. "When Massachusetts was torn up in the summer of 73 they formed a merchant association to advertise that they were still open for business."
Watson said the response to the project by downtown property owners was very good.
in Kansas City and Topahe, we really don't need one here in the middle. We're interested in maintaining and supporting our downtown area."
Despite renovation and expansion in the city, Lawrence is the only town in Kansas with a population over 20,000 that doesn't have an indoor shopping mall.
Put it all together in Air Force ROTC.
WATSON SAID, "We might get an indoor mall someday, but with the shopping malls
Mary Barkley Clark said he was in favor of expanding the downtown renovation to the 600 block on Massachusetts, "I think runny of the old buildings and the mill down there," she added. The Center, should be torn down to improve the looks of the downtown area." Clark said.
THE HAWK'S NEST
presents
THURSDAY
5:00 ρ.m.-6:30 ρ.m.
'12:30 JAZZ ENSEMBLE'
ALAN SOLLENBERGER, on trumpet
with Featured Soloists:
BRAD STROUD, on trombone
Just Returned from the K.C. Jazz Festival
Level 2-Kansas Union
Produced by SUA
Here's your chance to display your Artistic Ability...
SUA & the Office of Student Affairs Announces:
The Second Annual Student Sculpture Competition now through April 30.
Entry blanks and Rules
are available at the SUA office.
Information and Research Division is expanding to include the following positions which will be involved with a wide variety of applied research and systems activities as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
The Department of Planning and Development Kansas City, Kansas
Skills in written and verbal communication with both technical and non-technical personnel are required. Graduate experience in social science research and understanding of computer utilization in research environment is desirable.
Research/Systems Specialist
Programmer/Analyst
This position requires a thorough working knowledge of FORTRAN and/or COBOL. Programming experience in business applications or research projects is desirable.
Salaries are commensurate with education and experience. These positions offer a wide-range benefit package, flexible working atmosphere, and modern office facilities. We invite all interested applicants to write information and Research Division, Department of Planning and Development, One Civic Plaza, Kansas City, Kansas 66101. An Equal Opportunity Employer, M-F.