Friday, January 22, 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section A·Page 5 The sun soon will set for the final time over the closed Mercantile Bank drive-through branch on the 600 block of Massachusetts Street. The building will be torn down to make room for a three-story building that will house retail businesses as well as office space. Photo by Matt J. Daugherty/KANSAN Downtown construction to add clock tower to city's skyline By Heather Woodward Kansan staff writer The 600 Block of Massachusetts Street is getting a makeover. Where a drive-through branch of Mercantile Bank now sits, Gene Fritzel Construction Company is planning to build a three-story building that will include a clock tower and rooftop terraces. The branch closed Dec. 12. "Hopefully, we will begin on this within the next couple months," said Tim Fritzel, president of Gene Fritzel Construction. The $6 million project will be financed without public money. Fritzel said there would be retail at the street level with two levels of office space, including the new Gene Fritzel headquarters. M&M Office Supply, 623 Massachusetts St., will border the north end the building. Richard Payton, M&M office manager, said he was concerned that insufficient parking might pose a problem. "I'm excited about the new retail, but if there's not enough parking then people won't shop there for long." Pavton said. Abercrombie & Fitch, which will border the project's south end, refused to comment about the building. The plans call for three retail shops on Massachusetts Street, but the company remains tight-lipped about who will move in. "We're still negotiating with possible tenants, and we're not announcing anything yet," Fritzel said. Jolynn Johanning, executive assistant at Kring's Interiors, 634 Massachusetts St., will have a full view of the new development from her desk across the street. She said she was excited about the new retail possibilities and pleased with the plans she has seen. "I think we have to keep a strong downtown," she said. "The growth is good for us." Fritzel said he thought new shopping options would be an asset to downtown Lawrence. Torrie Moreland, Winnetka, III., freshman, said she thought new retail was a much-needed addition to Lawrence and that she would prefer to shop downtown rather than in large department stores. "The smaller shops are always so friendly," she said. "They can help you more on a personal level." The company met yesterday with the Historic Resources Commission because the site will be built in between two landmarks: the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts, and a former photography studio that now houses Quinton's Bar and Deli. 615 Massachusetts. Fritzel said the company tried to design the building in accordance with historic resource guidelines. Possible benefits changes would help KU veterans By Chris Hopkins Kansan staff writer A Congressional commission has recommended an overhaul of veterans benefits, making many involved in University of Kansas military programs happy but leaving some wanting more reform. Rep. Dennis Moore, D-Kan., said he liked the idea behind the proposal. "We have an obligation to take care of our servicemen." Moore said. Pouisson works with the University's veteran certification office with Marla Herron, assistant registrar. Herron said the word from Washington was that the changes were being suggested because some students weren't taking advantage of their money. "The reason they're investigating it on the national level is because every year people using their GI bill has declined." Herron said. Some of the adjustments include better health-care benefits, a retirement plan and a new GI Bill that would pay for any college in the nation after four years of service. The new G1 bill would finance college for veterans fully for the first time since just after World War II. RECOMMENDED BENEFITS Herron said that Congress might have waited so long to adjust the bill because of budget concerns. After four years active duty, a veteran may attend any college or university in the nation at no expense. Adam Pousson, Buhler freshman and veteran, estimated that half of KU's veterans had four years of service and would therefore qualify. About 300 veterans attend the University, Pousson said. A way to finance the adjustments, which will cost an additional $3 billion during the next five years, has not been decided upon Veterans could buy a home without paying a down payme VentureInsights buy a home without paying a down payment Service members would have a 401k-like investment After leaving the military, soldiers would have their health insurance subsidized by the government. yet. Moore said that there was one trade-off that he was certain he would avoid. "What I'm not willing to do is pay for new programs out of Social Security surpluses," Moore said. Another reason that the corrections may not have been proposed until now is because enlistment and retainment in the armed forces reached its lowest level in many years in 1998. The situation is so desperate that the Navy will no longer require a high school degree for joining. Capt. Steven Ferrell, an instructor with the KU Army ROTC program, thinks that improved veterans benefits might help with recruitment because the GI bill was the benefit the military advertised most. "I know that all military recruiters use this as a tool." Herron said. Tyler McPheeters, a Lawrence High School senior, said that while more people would probably enlist in the military, the improved benefits didn't change his mind. Because of problems his grandfather's naval World War II tour of duty caused, his parents wouldn't support a military career. McPheeters also was opposed to the military in general, as was Lawrence High School junior Nathan Faire. "I disagree with the entire philosophy of the military," Faire said. Herron didn't think that the added money would send veterans from Kansas to Ivy League schools. "A lot of military veterans who come to KU are Kansans ... they want to stay here in Kansas," Capt. Ferrell said that the draw of home was strong in veterans. Both Herron and Pousson are pleased with the changes but said that further reform was necessary. One complaint was that GI bills were included in financial aid, so veterans had no real advantage above other students when applying for federal loans. "If you grew up in Lawrence and you're comfortable here, you're probably likely to come back here," Ferrell said. Another problem was that the GI bill payments were monthly, so it could be difficult to pay the large beginning-of semester bills, particularly when the first check of the year arrived in October. This hits veterans harder than the average student because most veterans are married, Pousson said. Despite those problems. Herron still supported the reforms. "I think that anything or any improvements of veterans' benefits can only help KU," she said. The recommendations of the committee will be presented to Moore and the rest of Congress Feb. 23. ONE LOVE. ONE HEART. ONE GREAT PARTY!!! IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS COME TO JAMAICA TO FEEL ALL RIGHT - FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE PRICE!!! 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