6A • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2009
KU faces no opposition in razing Oread houses
by Aaron Passman
apassman@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Members of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance and Oread Neighborhood Association will not fight the University of Kansas' proposed demolition of three houses in the 1300 block of Ohio Street.
In a letter issued Thursday to Chancellor Robert Hemenway, representatives from the two groups said they would not sue the University over the decision issued by Gov Bill Graves to raze the houses. Graves sided with the University in early September after lengthy, unsuccessful negotiations between the University and the two city groups. After demolition, the University plans to build scholarship halls in place of the houses.
Representatives of the two Lawrence groups said they were pleased the University was willing to work with them on planning the houses and new zoning for the area.
"We welcome this very positive step in recognizing the University's relationship to the Lawrence community," said Pat Kehde, Lawrence Preservation Alliance, and Candice Davis, Oread Neighborhood Association, in the letter.
"Of course, in the spirit of the University's commitments we expect the Oread Neighborhood's and the Lawrence Preservation's involvement in the design process
"It's not like we just decided to build scholarship halls. It's because there's a need."
Lynn Bretz
Lynn Bretz Director.of University Relations
to be a meaningful one and we expect a clear outline of the design process and the neighborhood's involvement in it before it begins."
Kehde said the Oread Neighborhood Association and the Lawrence Preservation Alliance met with attorneys and attended board meetings before deciding not to pursue the lawsuit.
"In general the feeling was that it would be a difficult suit to win, "she said. "Not that we didn't want the fight but it would be a difficult suit to win and our energies might be better used to build better stronger ways to protect neighborhoods and historic houses from encroachment."
Kehde said she was worried about how razing the houses would affect the future of Lawrence's historic neighborhoods.
"We're afraid of the ripple effect of continuing to destroy the fabric of our historic neighborhoods," she said.
Lynn Bretz, director of University Relations, released a statement Thursday saying the University was pleased with the groups' decision not to sue.
"We're pleased at the attitude they're expressing, accepting Gov. Graves' decision," Bretz said Friday.
Bretz said the University was looking at issues that would affect the larger Lawrence community.
"We will work with the neighborhood and the community to come up with some structures that will enhance the neighborhood, be attractive and be something that students will enjoy living in."Bretz said.
Brezz said the University was planning the demolition now but did not have a specific timeline.
Bretz said the three houses were all about 100 years old and had been rental properties for the last three decades.
She also said two of the houses had been "carved up" into a total of 22 apartments.
22 apartments Bretz was confident the University's plans were for the best.
"There is a long waiting list for students to get into scholarship halls and that's why we've been looking for a way to expand scholarship halls," Bretz said. "It's not like we just decided to build scholarship halls. It's because there's a need."
Edited by Lauren Beatty
Two host weekly hip-hop show
By Michael Vennard
mvennard@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
The Pool Room, 925 Iowa St., changes into an underground music venue every Friday night.
Duo gets into the Groove
Alison Olewnik and Edwin Morales, both Manhattan sophomores, spend many hours every week producing Project Groove, a weekly showcase for local hiphop, electronica and other forms of beat-oriented music.
In the past seven months, Project Groove has featured everything from local disc jockeys of all genres and local hip-hop groups to experimental instrumental groups and rock bands. Project Groove also boasts a list of national artists such as Ming and FS, DJ P, DJ Spooky and Kut Masta Kurt.
"When we started this, I didn't know it would be this consuming. I should've known, but you never know until you're in the middle of it." Olewnik said.
Morales trimmed his class schedule down to two classes in order to better manage his time. He estimated that he invested 50 to 60 hours a week into planning and producing Project Groove, in addition to working full-time for Yello Sub, studying, working for KJHK and promoting himself as a DJ.
"In between classes, I'm writing down ideas for this Friday: trying to figure out who's available to work, the band lineup and the pay." Morales said. "And when I'm not doing that, I'm pretty much brainstorming for the next show."
Olewnik, Morales and three others began promoting local shows earlier this year at Abe and jake's Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. and the Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St. Under the production moniker Atreides, the five refined their efforts and began putting on weekly shows at The Pool Room, with their first show on Feb. 1, 2002.
"Our original motivation was to do something in the local music scene and for music in general," Olewnik said.
Olewnik said. The five members whittled down to Olewnik and Morales who then changed their company's name to Downplay Productions.
The duo split production responsibilities, with Morales booking the talents, and Olewnik doing promotions and staffing. Aaron Silber provides the venue's sound system that includes turntables and a mixer. Niko Devries acts as sound technician.
Project Groove staffs as many as 20 other people on a weekly basis for security, the merchandise table and general promotions in Lawrence and Kansas City.
Olewnik and Morales have more staked in Project Groove
"The only thing that really matters to us is to do it again next
week
Edwin Morales
Project Groove director
than their free time.
"Fifty to 60 percent of this is our money. It goes to fliers; 25 percent goes to Niko; we have to pay the artists; plane tickets and hotels," Morales said.
According to the duo, the fruits of their labor more than make up for their hours of effort.
"This isn't something that you can really make money on at this level. There are so many costs involved. The only thing that really matters to us is to do it again next week," said Olewnik. "It gets hectic and stressful sometimes, but on the night of the shows, that's all it takes to get me back in track for the next week."
The cover charge for Project Groove, an 18-and-over venue, usually ranges from $5 for local acts to $10 for national performers.
Morales said the biggest Project Groove event-to-date was the Bulldog Battle, a break-dancing competition which brought a crowd of 650. Project Groove will host the second Bulldog Battle on Oct.11.
Edited by Chris Wintering
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