CAMPUS AND AREA
University Daily Kansan, November 20, 1984 Page 7
Commission to discuss developer
By CHRIS BARBER Staff Reporter
An extension of Town Center Venture Capital's status as developer record for downtown will be created by the Lawrence City Commission.
On the agenda is a request from Duane Schwader, president of TCVC, to extend the company's developer of record status with the city.
Another item related to downtown development and two controversial rezonings will also be considered.
TCVC has been developer of record since January, when the City Commission accepted its proposal for a 300,000-square-foot enclosed shopping mail in the 600 block of Massachusetts Street.
TCVC has been trying to secure commitments from department stores for the mall.
THE DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE Association and the Chamber of Commerce have supported extending TCVC's contract, which expires in January. Schwada is asking for at least a two-year extension.
In other action, the City Commission will consider a staff report on the riverfront mail proposal from Steve Clark, of Steve Clark Commercial Real Estate, 1611 Saint Andrews Drive.
Clark came before the commission in October with his proposal to build a 190,000-square-foot "retail specialty center" in the riverfront Bowersock Malls Buildings east of City Hall.
Clark's plan includes a major department store, which he proposes to build over the City Hall parking lot, and about 55 smaller shops.
Clark is asking for an extension on the lease of the Bowersock buildings and air rights to build over the City Hall parking lot.
THE COMMISSION IN October referred the plan to the city staff for work concerning cost estimates and details of the plan. The staff was asked to report back after the work had been done.
The commission also will consider two reconfirming requests, both of which will require at least a 4-1 vote because of valid petitions on file.
One, submitted by Robert Watson,
of Kansas City, Mo., asks the
commission to revoke the northeast
Michigan streets to allow duplexes.
Area neighbors have filed a petition against the rezoning, which they feel will disturb the quality of the neighborhood. The area, near Lawrence Memorial Hospital, is primarily single family homes. The
zoning on Watson's property now allows only single-family units.
THE LAWRENCE-DOUGLAS COUNTY Planning Commission, an advisory body, last month recommended the Commission approve the request.
The other rezoning request was initiated by neighbors in the area of the 1400 block of Lawrence Avenue, a Commission to request the rezoning.
The request, in two parts, first asks to change the east side of the street from multiple-unit zoning to single-family zoning. Although the area already is developed with single family homes, neighbors say they want the zoning to reflect what is already there.
The second part of the request, for the west side of the street, asks to downzone the area to allow only duplexes. Although only duplexes are being built on the land, neighbors want assurance that no development of greater density will be built on the abandoned lots on that side of the street.
The Planning Commission recommended on a 4-3 vote that the request be denied because neighbors do not own the property they are asking to rezone. The property owner, Herb Oppenheimer, opposes the requests.
Merchants anticipate large holiday crowds
By CHRIS CLEARY Staff Reporter
While many Lawrence residents are basting turkeys and baking pumpkin pies, area stores are putting up a banner that reads "The start of the Christmas season Friday."
Traditionally the day after Thanksgiving kicks off the Christmas season for retail businesses, and Lawrence is no exception. Most businesses are predicting high sales and working forward to large holiday crowds.
"It will be a real big day," said Debbie Nye, manager of Saffers, 922 Massachusetts ST. "We usually do a parade here, especially with the parade downtown."
The parade is a holiday celebration Friday that concludes with turning on the city Christmas lights.
"We'd probably make between
$7,000 and $10,000 on Friday. This is
the biggest day for sales this year."
Nye said.
Jeremy Furse, owner of Britches Corner, 843 Massachusetts St., said his store was geared up for big business.
"WE HAVE BABOUT 50 sweaters coming in." Furse said "We'll be sitting pretty good at Thursday We have a business that on a normal Friday."
JoanFM, manager of Hallmark Bowens, said she had ordered extra stock and would have extra staff for Friday's expected barrage.
Jim Schubert, co-owner and manager of the Jay Shoppe, 333 Massa chusetts St., said sales should be increased this year if the weather holds up.
"We'll easily do 50 percent more business than normal the day after Thanksgiving," Fay said. "People are out buying wrap and cards. The weather is turning out, it will be a real tosoap between sales from this year and last year."
"WE ANTICIPATE SALES to be better this year than last year partly because of the weather last Christmas," Schubert said. "It was terribly cold last year. For eight days before Christmas, the weather averaged 8 degrees below zero. People didn't want to go out in weather like that."
Schabert predicted that his sales would be twice as high as an average
Bob Zook, assistant manager at Campbell's clothing, 841 Massachusetts St. said they usually were for the Christmas season by Thanksgiving.
"We're looking forward to a good season." Zook said, "I think generally the economy is looking up to be in a good mood about buying.
Some businesses said that although the day after Thanksgiving was a busy one, it was not the biggest sales day of the year.
JOE FLANNERY, THE executive vice president of Weaver's Inc. Department Store. 901 Massachusetts St. said, "Years ago merchants realized the majority of people do their Christmas shopping later. The last two Saturdays before Christmas are bigger than that."
But he said the day after Thanksgiving was a great business day.
"We have extra sales people, and we've ordered extra stock for the Christmas season," Flannery said. "We think it will be a real good Christmas season. The economy is on the upswing, and people are more confident with the economy this year."
Dan Abing, manager of the F.W. Woolworth Co., 911 Massachusetts St. also said some were busier than the day after Thanksgiving.
"TD ALWAYS BEEN taught that, but the final week before Christmas is the biggest." Abing said. "We've called in our extra part-timers. We anticipate a very good Christmas season. We should sell about triple what we normally sell during a normal day."
Patronize Kansan Advertisers.
Richard McQueen, owner of McQ
Rienee Jewelers Inc., 809 Massachusetts St. said his jewelry store has more business than usual on Friday.
"We always do have a good Christmas." McQueen said. "People are more apt to spend money after an election, But more people come in during the last few weeks before Christmas to buy jewelry for Christmas. The pearls are selling well —
"TRADITIONALLY, IT'S A very busy day, but some days in December are busier." Shephey said. "Usually the Saturday before Christmas is the biggest day for us. We anticipate a good year. The interest rates are lower and the economy is in good shape."
Sam Shepley, manager of Wal-Mart Discount Cities, 2727 Iowa St. said Wal-Mart had ordered 25 percent more inventory than usual for the Christmas season beginning Friday.
"This will be by far the biggest Christmas the company has ever had in Lawrence and the biggest nationally as well." White said. "We've had extra people for the past few weeks. It won't be the biggest day for us, but it will be a big one. We should sell three and a half times the merchandise that we'd sell on a normal day."
The Wal-Mart management brought in the extra holiday help more than a week ago.
The J C Penny Co., 180 W.23rd St.
ordered more order than last year, said Garland White, manager of the Lawrence store.
"Things are on the upswing now that the elections are all tucked away," Powers said. "We'll have extra people on the floor starting Friday. It's a really busy day, and it holds through until Christmas Eve."
"We should do between double and triple the business we would do on a normal business day." Shepley said.
Businesses said some of the most popular Christmas gifts this year were the Trivial Pursuit game, Cabbage Patch dolls and slippers, Bright, women's dress hats and sweaters for men, women and children.
Denny Powers, assistant manager of Gibson's Discount Center, 2525 Iowa St., said Gibson's expected a big Christmas season.
$8.00 Haircuts w/KUID
Joda & Friends
Hairstyling
$8.00 Haircuts w/KUH
745 New Hampshire 841-0337
Under New Management
New or Newly Remodeled Apartments
843-4300 843-4410 842-6170
MIDWEST BUSINESS SYSTEMS
818 Mass. 842-4134
HILLCREST 2
Chuck Norris
in
Missing In Action
Daily 5:00 7:20 9:25
- Twlight Bargain Show
GAMMONS Before Thanksgiving.
It sure will be nice to get out of class today with the prospect of the holiday ahead. But are you ready to face Mom and Dad yet?
Before you make that long (or short) journey home for turkey and a discussion about grades, why not start celebrating Thanksgiving a little early with all of your friends at Gammons? We'll make sure your holiday starts off right with great drinks, good music and fun to be had by all. And don't forget our Wednesday specials!
Wednesday Specials All You Can Drink 8-11 p.m. $3.00 cover