Population almost doubles
KU building will thrive,but taper
By RICH LOVETT
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(Editor's note: This is the first article in a two-part series exploring the recent rapid growth of Lawrence housing, both on campus and off, and its relation to the KU student).
Building of multi-unit housing, much of it with the KU student in mind, has boomed in Lawrence since 1959—and from all indications the thrust will continue.
Consider these facts:
(1) There will be 300 million Americans by the year 2,000, as opposed to a little over 200 million now. A tiny part of this, 23,500, will add to Lawrence's population and must be housed.
(2) A recent survey done by the Lawrence city planner's staff predicts that 3,850 additional multi-family units (apartments and duplexes) will be needed in Lawrence by 1985.
THE STUDY, which covers the period from 1959 to September, 1966, concludes in part: "Demand for multi-family development in Lawrence will continue, given
present trends in population, student enrollment at KU and a desire for apartment living.
"It was indicated that 40 percent of the housing starts nationwide in 1964 were apartments," the survey continues, "as compared with 66 per cent in Lawrence. These figures reflect a trend toward multi-family living, particularly for young childless couples and older persons . . ."
"The private housing market for KU students,coupled with yearly enrollment increases,account for the rapid construction of apartment units.
"THE YEAR 1965 was the peak year with 553 units accounting for 73 per cent of the total residential permits. The first nine months of 1966 have fallen below that pace (to 50 per cent) but this may be due more to financing problems than to a decrease in demand for apartments or a saturation of the market."
However, it must be recognized that local investors do not build apartment complexes solely with students in mind, even though
students are a major factor. The city planner's survey, for example, predicts that in the next 20 years,15 per cent of an expected 7,350 new permanent Lawrence families will live in apartments.
The study further points out that its findings assume all the demand for non-single family housing will be for apartments, but "it should be kept in mind that duplexes have and will continue to absorb a segment of the rental housing market."
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE of the family housing market, at least one investor, Stanley Christopher, is building a group of units for non-students. Christopher, owner of Argo, Avalon, and Sahara apartments, who spent $600,000 to build Lawrence apartments this year, said many families choose apartment living instead of houses because:
"They can enjoy so many more conveniences and amenities . . .
without tying up a lot of capital.
In some apartments the extras are
comparable to those in a $30,000 home."
Christopher said he thinks one reason for the recent rise in apartment renters is "people are interested in upgrading their living conditions.
"Ten to fifteen years ago I think a new car was the status symbol," he said. "But life revolves around where you live, and shelter is now the status symbol."
CHRISTOPHER'S THEORY IS born out in part by a recent survey of 209 KU students. The canvas, done by four undergraduate psychology majors, shows that in a pilot study prior to the actual survey, "when asked to name the most important difference among students, our pilot subjects mentioned place of residence most frequently."
Residence as a factor in social class was expressed in the actual survey by 62.5 per cent of the 209 interviewees, said Steve Olsen, Abilene junior.
Christopher said because shelter is a status symbol, "a person
will rent up, paying more than he can afford at the moment."
Along with the burst of apartments, of course, the University's own student housing also has grown rapidly in recent years. Ellsworth, McCollum and Oliver Hallis all have been built since 1963, as has privately-owned Naismith Hall, which has a capacity of 504 residents.
IN ADDITION, APPROVAL of a $2.7 million loan recently was received for a new residence hall west of Oliver which will house 680 students, although administrators say a date for construction has not yet been determined.
The University now owns facilities to house 5,631 students—approximately 31 per cent of this year's fall enrollment. Of that capacity, 4,581 can be held in men's and women's residence halls, 450 in scholarship halls and 600 in Stouffer Apartments.
J. J. Wilson, director of housing, said, "It is the proper perspective for the University to supply 30-
Continued on page 4
Grade reports create compilation problems
If the KU registrar's office could turn the clock back, it would on June 2 when students' grade reports should be compiled.
Mrs. Agnes R. Barnhill, assistant registrar, said students' grade reports may be sent to the deans on June 3 instead of June 2 because of the increased number of students.
WITH AN ENROLLMENT of 14,520 students and an average of five grades per student. Mrs. Barnhill placed the total number of grades at about 124,145.
Mrs. Barnhill said that graduating seniors' grades are due at 9 a.m. and the remaining grades at 5 p.m., June 2.
Graduating seniors' grade reports will be sent first to the deans. Graduating graduate students sometimes have the same instructions as the seniors, Mrs. Barnhill said.
Daily Kansas }
Tuesday, May 16, 1967
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