University Daily Kansan; October 22, 1982
Page 7
Neighborhood
From page one
"Changing that pattern of housing is in some ways a threat to the area."
But Francisco said the concerns of other city residents had to be considered along with those in the surrounding areas.
"I don't know how you balance large effects on a new people with smaller effects on a lot of people."
Doug Cunningham/KAISAN KDon Kuonen stands in front of his house at 800 Rhode Island St. Kuonen says he is worried about the possible effects downtown redevelopment may have on his East Lawrence neighborhood.
Also, the impact of dedevelopment will not be equal. Francisco said.
SHE SAID she thought the ELIA had taken the position that no other area in the city would be affected as much by redevelopment as East Lawrence.
"That may be true in those properties that border Rhode Island Street, but it's not true of the whole neighborhood. The impact does not extend equally throughout East Lawrence, just as it does not extend equally throughout the city," she said.
Some East Lawrence residents said the city needed to listen to more public opinion on
Kuonen said he was afraid that the redevelopment would be too similar to other retail environments.
"That what's they do all the time; build for the masses," he said. "But 'it don't think the people of
City officials have said they wanted to work with the ELIA and get more public comment.
"We're aware of and we're very cautious of what impact there will be on that area of town, specifically Rhode Island and Connecticut streets," said Linda Finger, a planter in the Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Department.
Davis, who was in Lawrence last week to talk with local officials, said city residents appeared excited by the proposed plan.
"The main impression I have is really a feeling of anxiety and a great desire for cooperation," he said. "We're going to alleviate that, and we're very pleased about the spirit of cooperation."
DEAN PALOS, a planner who has been working extensively on the downtown redevelopment project, said that a public meeting would be held to listen to city residents.
Palos said one of the good effects of redevelopment would be the creation of about 10,000 new housing.
About 350 of those will be construction jobs to build the project. The remainder will be jobs in building equipment.
Redevelopment of downtown also would be far better, for East Lawrence and the city as a whole, than the building of a "cornfield mall" in suburban Lawrence, Clark said.
"I think they really have a lot to lose if the cornfield mail goes in," he said. "The whole ideas
"East Lawrence is fighting for its life," she said, and the redevelopment could either help East Lawrence stabilize and survive or it could make it harder. We have to be very careful about what we do.
City Commissioner Nancy Shontz said that
redevelopment might cause big changes in East Lawrence.
Kaplan said many East Lawrence residents opposed downtown redevelopment when it was first discussed. Those people would have found it unfortunate that he would not have directly affected them, he said.
Klaan said that even though many residents and mugvigues, redevelopment downtown was being done.
But, he warned, "We don't want to trade that for a quick death at the hands of a bulldozer and a tree."
SOME EAST Lawrence residents also say that their neighborhood too often is expected to be too quiet.
"I really, sincerely feel that preserving the downtown is in the best interests of the city," said Richard Kershenbaum, a member of the KELA.
But he said that East Lawrence had made more than its share of sarcifaces for the good of him.
The possible sacrifices East Lawrence may have to make — increasing property values and traffic and giving up land for parking garages — are the result of city design plan is chosen, city commissioners said.
Those concerns will be considered because the city needs the cooperation of East Lawrence to make downtown redevelopment successful, they said.
Doug Cunningham/KANSAN
"People in the neighborhood that border on the downtown have some very real concerns and challenges."
The plan said that the existing neighborhoods adjacent to downtown might restrict some types of commuters.
Palos, the planner, said the Comprehensive Downtown Plan, which was discussed by the commission earlier this year, had considered the effects of redevelopment on East Lawrence.
GLEASON SAID that both the city commission and the Downtown Improvement Committee, which helped to select a developer for the downtown project, recognized that listening to comments from the ELIA and other neighborhood groups was important.
R. N. Coleman relaxes on his porch at 739 Connecticut St. He says the proposed downtown redevelopment does not bother him, because he will not sell his house under any circumstances.
Palos said that redevelopment had to respect the character of those neighborhoods.
"That's one of the fundamentals of the whole downtown plan — that development be integrat-
The plan said that "development should be of a scale so as not to destroy the inherent character of the existing downtown. Phased and scattered development should be encouraged."
Davis said his architectural firm wanted to enhance the present downtown, rather than make drastic changes.
"We wan't to keep the scale, the ambiance and
the character of the existing Massachusetts Street." he said.
Despite the concern exhibited by some, other East Lawrence residents didn't expect redevelopment to have much effect on them.
R. N.Cole, 739 Connecticut St., said he just wanted to be left alone.
Coleman, 77, in a chain on his porch and talked about his house, which was built in 1915 for its owner.
"They won't get this," he said. "It's mine. It's paid for and I'm going to keep it this way."
"THE INTELLIGENCE NETWORK"
2:30 a.m. 4:00
"EL SALVADOR: ANOTHER VIETNAM"
3:15 a.m. 5:00 FIRE ROOM
EL SALVADOR:
ANOTHER VIETNAM?
WANNA BE IN PICTURES?
The Men of Pi Kappa Alpha are now accepting applications for the 1983-84 Dream Girl Calendar. It will feature 11 of KU's most beautiful women and will be distributed at the beginning of the fall semester,1983.
Interested women should pick up an application from your dorm desk, sorority representative, or call the Pike house at 843-8690
PRESENTED BY
STAYING IN TOWN! Come Down To
BACKSTAGE Where There's Live Entertainment With
Our Usual Attractions:
$1 Highballs all the time
Never A Cover Charge
STEVE EPLEY On the Guitar
BACKSTAGE LOUNGE
MEMBERSHIPS AVAILABLE
RAMADA INN
HOURS 5 TO 3
MON. THRU SAT.
Alternatives
Explore The
EXTRA!
LAWRENCE EDITION
Forecast: severe hunger ending around noon
THE NEWS THAT'S GOOD TO EAT
THE FINEST,FASTEST MEAL IN TOWN
Students, bring your folks to Valentino's for our "Game Day" special buffet on Saturday night . . . or . . . try our NEW SUNDAY BUFFET too!
544 West 23rd
Lawrence
749-4244
Now delivering the best taste in town
NEW SUNDAY BUFFET
Remember, it's all-you-can-eat, so come hungry.
COUPON-DINING ROOM ONLY
Valentine FREE
ONE PITCHER OF ANY SOFT DRINK
WITH PURCHASE OF ANY LARGE PIZZA
Not good in conjunction with any other special price offer.
COUPON-TAKE OUT ONLY
FREE
ONE LITER OF ANY SOFT DRINK
WITH PURCHASE OF ANY LARGE PIZZA
Not good in conjunction with any other special price offer