MONDAY, AUGUST 19.2002
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 15A
NEWS
Wal-Mart plans new store
By Lindsey Hodel
Kansan staff writer
Lawrence residents may soon have the option of visiting a second location for their Wal-Mart needs after a new store opens at the intersection of Sixth and Wakarusa streets.
According to the Saturday Lawrence-Journal World, a Wal-Mart representative confirmed that the company was seeking approval from the city for the store's location. John Bislo, community affairs manager for Wal-Mart, said the current Lawrence store would continue to operate at its existing location. He said Wal-Mart would be going into meetings with the city in the next couple of weeks.
"We have been looking to open a
"We have been looking to open a second store in Lawrence for a couple of years.\
John Bisio
Wal-Mart official
second store in Lawrence for a couple of years," Bisto said.
Best Buy
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Kirk McClure, associate professor of urban planning, said the opening of new retail businesses could eventually create vacancies elsewhere.
McClure said. "So the opening of new corporate stores could draw money away from other businesses and cause blighted areas to develop."
"There is only so much money Lawrence can spend on retail."
However, some students are looking forward to the opening of a new location. Michael Payne, Colorado Springs, Colo., senior who lives in West Lawrence, said he doesn't think people will stop shopping downtown.
"I just don't like the idea of chain stores coming into downtown," he said. "But Wal-Mart is a family organization and it makes sense that they would open where families live. College students like the convenience of having everything in one place."
Kiefer said the best audi equipment companies still looked for stores with full service centers like his to sell their products.
"When something breaks, they put you on a 1-800 number to nowhere instead of offering a full in-store service center," he said. "I think customers are just about to the end of the belief that discount stores are actually cheaper."
truth is they only offer the best marketing to give the illusion of cheaper prices."
Others in the Lawrence community are looking forward to the new store.
Burton Harding, Olathe junior, looks for factors such as cheap prices, long hours and a wide range of products in music stores.
"Mostly, I like the store's convenience and low prices on CDs," he said. "But I do realize it could mean bad news for other music stores."
Although Harding expressed sympathy for local merchants, he said he would probably end up shopping at Best Buy over local music stores if their prices were lower.
Contact Hodel at lhodei@kansan com. This story was edited by Sarah Hill.
Oread
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A
Contact Hodel at lhodel@kansan.com.
National Register of Historic Places.
Now, crowps the final round.
During the summer, Chancellor Robert Hemenway asked Gov. Bill Graves to step in and make the final call about the fate of the houses.
Graves will give the public a chance to speak tomorrow from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Douglas County Courthouse.
"We want to make sure we have all of the information to make an informed decision," Kristin Heuertz, Graves spokeswoman, said. "The government wants to hear all sides in order to determine if it is feasible to tear them down or to renovate the houses."
Among the speakers who will take to the ring are at least six members of the Oread Neighborhood Association. Greg Hickam, association president, said the members are looking forward to the opportunity to provide their inum.
"We have speakers slated for each of the parts of a packet we hand-delivered to the governor around Anu. 7." Hickam said.
The packet contained a detailed report on each of the houses, an architect's report on the adaptability of the houses, offers to buy each of the houses and suggested alternative sites for the University's plans.
"There are several locations south of The Wheel and out on Seward Avenue that could work just as well for a couple of school halls," Hickam said.
Lynn Bretz, director of University Relations, said whoever spoke on behalf of the University would focus on the dilapidated state of the houses.
Bretz said two of the three houses were rental properties, and they were not well-maintained.
"The cost of renovating them would be unreasonable for KU to do so." Bretz said.
Some of those concerned about the issue have already reserved time to speak at the session.
"Only eight people have written in, but we expect there to be a few walk-ins," said Trista Beadle, staff attorney with the Governor's Office. "We would like to limit it to about five to 10 minutes per person."
A lawyer from Graves' office will supervise the meeting Graves will then use the testimony to make a final decision on the houses at a later date.
Hickam hopes the governor will get a fair and balanced account from both sides at tomorrow's meeting.
"I hope anyone with a strong opinion about this could take the time to attend," he said.
Contact Henning at jhnening @kansan.com. This story was edited by Sarah Hill.
Find it online at www.kansan.com
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