4 THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
CAMPUS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2004
Gift to restore historic sites
By John Scheirman
jscheirman@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Chancellor Robert Hemenway has announced a $500,000 pledge by two alumni that the University of Kansas will use to renovate two historic buildings and convert them to new uses. The pledge was made to the Kansas University Endowment Association.
The donors, Tom and Jann Rudkin of Sunnyvale, Calif., both of whom graduated from the University in 1973, designated the pledge to fund improvements to Spooner Hall, east of the Kansas Union, and a house at 1346 Louisiana St.
The Spooner Hall project, costing $200,000, will restore the first floor of the building and convert it to a Commons. Spooner Hall, opened in 1894, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The rest of the money will fund work on a 112-year-old house at 1346 Louisiana St., formerly the home of Juanita Strait, who left it to the Endowment Association. The University will turn the structure into a community center for the 500 residents of KU's 10 scholarship halls.
"The rehabilitation of this property is a highly visible demonstration of a good-faith initiative toward preservation of this historic neighborhood," said Chancellor Hemenway.
Historic preservation was one of the purposes for which the Rudkins made their pledge.
The University's interest in preserving these buildings is drawing favorable comments from Lawrence residents concerned about preserving historic structures.
"That's what we were hoping would happen all along," said Candice Davis, president of the Oread Neighborhood Association, where the Strait house sits. "This is a very optimistic and bold initiative on their part. It's going to add a great beauty and character."
"I think all of the people who are interested in historic preservation are very pleased that the University is going to save this house." von Tersch said.
Carol von Tersch, president of the Lawrence Preservation Alliance, also expressed approval of the projects.
The University's decisions to pursue these projects, and the positive comments by von Tersch and Davis, present a contrast to the strained relations between University officials and preservationists two to three years ago.
The University sought, and was ultimately granted, legal authority to demolish three old houses in the 1300 block of Ohio Street
that some saw as having historic value. KU's Campus Historic Preservation Board voted to permit the demolitions, while the City of Lawrence's Historic Resource Commission ruled against them. The issue was forwarded to the state's historic preservation officer for resolution. That official decision denied permission for the demolition to take place. After a public hearing, Governor Bill Graves gave his approval for the University to destroy the houses.
Davis said that the University's approach to the current projects showed a more positive attitude toward historic preservation. "I think the attitude was that if it looked bad from the street, tear it down," she said. "I really believe they're realizing that somebody does care about these old properties, and they add a lot to the neighborhood."
Vice Provost Jim Long serves as the chairman of the CHPB. Long said that because both of these projects occured within the environs of listed properties, the Board would conduct a review of the projects. Long said he understood the Oread neighborhood and the Lawrence Preservation Alliance was supportive of the University's efforts to restore the Strait house.
However, some preservationists have said that KU should apply to have the house placed on the National Register.
Courtney Kuhlen/Kansan
Spooner Hall will have its first floor restored with a $200,000 gift from two alumni. It is one of two campus projects that aims to renovate historic buildings and convert them to new uses.
Long said that neither the CHPB nor the University had been approached" about such a proposal.
—Edited by Erik Johnson