6
Thursday, April 28, 1977
University Daily Kansan
ASPECTS: Clinton
SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE KANSAN
Long waited for, Clinton is on its way to reality
By CHUCK ALEXANDER
Everyone is waiting for the water
Planning for the reservoir was sanctioned by Congress in 1962 at the urging of persons still dripping wet from the $1 billion flood of 1961. The purpose of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project is flood control.
THE 7.000-ACRE Clinton Reservoir is expected to be the nucleus for recreational development and activity not only for Lawrence, but also throughout the region.
According to a three-color Corps brochure on the reservoir, "All forms of outdoor recreation will be available, the most popular of which are fishing, boating, water skiing, swimming, picnicking, canning, hiking, hiking and sight-seeing."
But with the flood all but forgotten, Clinton has become more a safety valve for the Wakarusan River Valley.
Such opportunities will attract more than an estimated 1,000,000 visitors to Clinton each year—a potential bonanza for any businessman who happens to be in the right place at the right time. SOME BUSINESSMEN—such as land developers—appear to already be at the right place and are waiting only for the right time
Such prospects have given the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce reason to keep a keen eye on proposed strip development—specifically the stricking of businesses along main roads. Such development, chamber of officials say, could turn the downtown area into a merchants' graveyard because they think shoppers would frequent the roadside businesses more than businesses downtown.
The reservoir's physical statistics are impressive. Clinton will have a 72-mile shoreline, and the dam will contain more than 69,500 pounds of steel for each of the University of Kansas' 24,000 students.
BUT FOR ALL of its success, Clinton also has had its problems—being on schedule is unequivocal the biggest of these.
'or example.
- In 1972, the completion date for the project was aimed for 1976.
The completion date currently is 1978.
In 1973, Corps planners spent weeks surveying public opinion and drafting master plans for public use areas on the reservoir. That project reportedly set back planning for the public use areas one year. The areas are scheduled to undergo construction in 1978
In 1974, the water impoundment date was moved ahead to 1977
Impoundment was earlier scheduled to begin in early 1978. Latest Corps estimates say impoundment of water will begin in March of next year. Partial blame for this delay, officials say, can be attributed to the necessity of finishing roads around the reservoir before impounding water and flooding roads currently in use by area residents.
ANOTHER PROBLEM is cost overruns.
According to Vic Counts, Clinton project manager, the projected cost of the reservoir is $8 million. The estimated cost in 1971, for the same size and location, was $6 million.
Although land developers, businessmen and tourists are awaiting completion of Clinton with anticipation, others—such as persons living near the reservoir—say they want the reservoir as much as another flood like that of 1951.
Another sort of flood is what they'll probably experience as rivers of campers, hunters, college students, boat-laden trailers and tourists taking an excursion flow through their towns and past their farms.
SOME RESIDENTS have expressed concern, saying increased traffic would bring litter and lawlessness—two things they have
Even if litter and lawlessness remain in check, many rural dwellers may face yet another problem—7,000 acres of water and land.
Drawing by John Boyd
Three of five rural water districts in Douglas County currently aren't sure how they will benefit from reservoir water to supplement a falling water table. And, if the water districts succeed in the water harvest, the dollar cost may be high.
Indeed, the reservoir has affected members of Douglas County for many years. Perhaps the persons most adversely affected by the Corps project were those who were forced to sell their property to the Corps so the reservoir could be built.
SOME LANDOWNERS have vivid memories of their encounters with Corps representatives during the time the Corps was
"The Corps tries to have a good relationship with you, but when it comes down to their dealing, they're no good," one landowner,
Regardless of the impact Clinton will have on the lives of persons in Douglas County and adjacent counties, in two or three years the
Commission to get Corps land
By DENNIS VOBORIL
Reporter
the natural woodland and farmland around the Church. We will provide idle space for Kangas with
Local merchants monitor growth
Renorter
By MICHAEL KING
"The history of similar projects indicates that Clinton certainly has to have an even more complicated path."
Most people in Lawrence don't fully understand the probable impact of the Clinton Reservoir project, according to a report by the board of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce.
"I haven't seen any figures on it," he said,
but "I'm sure it will have a significant impact."
Ned Cushing, chairman of University State Bank. agreed.
Thomas Groene, president of Calvin Eddy and Kappelman, inc. and president of the Chamber of Commerce, said that he thought the reservoir would have a tremendous impact but that he wasn't sure it would all be good.
"This mob of people that will converge on Lawrence hobbes not," he said.
THE LAWRENCE-DOUGLAS County Planning Commission has estimated that a new $125 million building would be built.
any research on these visitors' probable economic impact on the community. But be aware of other factors that may affect
West said the chamber represented more than 1,100 men and women in the Lawrence County Judicial Council.
The conference would include the U.S. Corps of Engineers, the Kansas Fish and Game Commission and anyone else who has an interest in the development of Clinton.
"We want to call a conference on Clinton to create a great awareness of what's happening."
"ALL OF US WANT to be sure the reservoir is developed and planned in a fashion so that the city of Lawrence can reap maximum benefits—both social and economic," he said.
The planning commission has outlined a plan for ancillary development that would prevent strip and spot commercial development. The plan calls for limiting commercial development to small areas at intersections of principal roads.
Richard McClanathan, Lawrence city planter, stressed that the planning proposal
shouldn't be construed as encouraging commercial development in certain areas or as precluding such development in other areas.
"COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS will be considered on a case by case basis," McClanathan said. "No case sets precedents for any other cases."
Strip developments, which are the stringing of businesses along main roads, creat problems with traffic control, he said. The small areas being proposed would be from four to 10 acres and would create fewer traffic problems.
West said the chamber hadn't conducted
West said the Clinton conference would attempt to assure that current plans are
"We just want to be certain that what's happening is what we wanted to have happened."
"TM OPPOSED TO seeing big 20-acre shopping centers and such go up out there,"
Groene echoed West's sentiments.
McClanathan explained that the restriction of commercial developments to the south of Edinburgh.
the development of any major shopping areas.
"We don't want a mall," McClanathan said. "Mercants have a lot invested in downtown. And if we're going to maintain it we need to do something to provide protection for it."
ONE SHOPPING area that will capitalize on Clinton traffic has already been planned. The particulars of the shopping area aren't disclosed, but a file filled with the city planning department.
However, McClanahan has confirmed that developers for the project have spoken with him and that he is expecting a site plan for the northeast corner of 23rd and Iowa streets. West of Iowa, 23rd will become a driveway, the main access to the reservoir.
To handle the wildlife and the hunters that will inevitably follow, the Army Corps of Engineers have made plans to license 9,300 acres of Forestry, Fish and Game Commission.
McClanathan didn't give the name of the developers, but he said that the area was to be developed by a major grocery store chain that already has a store in Lawrence.
Bob McWhorter, Northeast Regional Supervisor for the fish and game commission, said recently, "This isn't a lease in the city." But if you want to own the land. All it's costing us is our blood.
personnel," he said. "But we voted to agree to this license with the understanding that we would be able to get the personnel to manage this."
McWHORTER SAID that by signing the license, the fish and game commission would be in charge of area management and game survey.
The land upon which the development is to be built is owned by Dale Willey and Thaine High, neither of whom could be reached for comment.
"We've officially started the process to sign a license," McWherter said. "We've sent our statement to the Army Corps of Engineers' office in Kansas City, and from there we have been sent to the Office in Washington, D.C. This is a process that normally takes about two years."
There had been some recent speculation that the fish and game commission would take a stance.
"What we have, in a nutshell, is that if we can't get the people to operate the area, I don't think the Corps is going to license the land to us," Bronoski said. "They don't want to have that area out there unmanaged by motorcycles running around all over."
MIKE BRONOSKI, district fishery biologist for the commission, said last week he didn't know whether the commission should hire personnel to manage the Clinton area.
A SCARCITY OF funds has plagued the fish and game commission for several years. The commission receives 15 per cent from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and the remaining 15 per cent from the federal government. The commission receives no state government money.
However, McWhorter said he didn't
forese trouble as usual in his new
neighbour.
"Any state office has trouble getting new
But, MwChorner said, all expenditures must be approved through the state budget.
"Therein lies the problem," he said. "We don't have an abundance of money by any means. But it's all note-taking and memorization is the problem of getting this approved through the state budget."
"But we manage over 200,000 acres of land in Kansas. I don't see an problem."
ONE PROBLEM the commission will face if it does manage the land and one that they face in other management areas, is the need of an area during peak hunting seasons.
Data taken for the Kansas Forestry, Fish and Game Commission at the 11,000-acre game management area at Perry Reservoir show that peak times occur during the opening weekend of deer season when about 680 hunters stalk hunting areas.
Jordan said he expected a similar problem at Clinton.
"When you're in the center of a major metropolitan area, like Clinton, is, you're going to have a problem of too many hunters out there." he said.
Chances are slim lake town will remain 'as it is'
Photo by CORKY TREWIN
Waiting for water
Although his business suffered as families were forced away from Clinton, Clarence Anderson, owner of the only business in Clinton, is waiting for the water and the tourists to get his store back on its feet.
By MICHELE SIMMONS
Renorter
In the center of Clinton is a redowd sign that says "Welcome to Clinton. We like it as it is." Don't make it look like hell."
But there is little chance that this town, which will be surrounded on three sides by a new lake, will remain as it is.
how Clinton would change after the reservoir was completed. Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Anderson are owners of the Clinton Grocery, the only business in town, which they have operated for 20 years. The association that his business had suffered from Clinton's project.
sawround residents of the town recently expressed concern about how chairs would change after the reservoir was completed.
"ABOUT 50 FAMILIES have moved away," he said. "They were all when the government took their land away for development."
Anderson said that he needed more customers to stay in business.
"We need to get back on our feet again," he said. "The water is going to bring in a lot of people so we are hoping for more."
ONE OF ANDERSON'S customers, Carlaen Haney, Route 5,
Clinton, said she was worried about strangers coming into town.
"I think we probably have all of lotus筋 speeding through the town and little bit more than that. We have this bag lining them, which are being stunned all over."
Rex Johnson, Douglas County sheriff, said that the main problem in Clinton would be an increase in traffic and he said his team was working on a plan.
Johnson said that the town was patrolled by three county cars. Recently six men were added to the force.
"WE APPLIED FOR and received a state grant through the Douglas County Commission to create a special traffic force," he said. "Right now, they are only handling traffic. After the grants run out in September, the commissioners will pick it up, enabling the men to aid and assist in any crimes, boating accidents or drownings."
A new Clinton resident, Lionel "Smokey" Edmunds, said that
I'm coowner of the Rock Chalk Ranch, which is west of Lawrence on Highway 40," he said. "As I understand it, we're included in a circle of commercial development around the park. We are anticipating more business after the lake fills."
although he would miss the quiet after the lake is filled, his business would probably increase as a result of the project.
Beverly Bradley, Douglas County Commissioner, said that a subcommittee of the planning board is studying the possibilities for the county.
"The committee's recommendations regarding this issue will be presented to the board after it is studied," Bradley said. "The committee will evaluate its recommendations."
It is no as soon a and its developer one of D neighbor County say that'
M. and Mrs. W. B. Shuster have lived in Clinton for more than 30 years. She said that she and her husband were worried about the possibility of being arrested.
“It’s going to be harder to get around,” she said. “The way I understand it, there will only be two roads out the town, that is, one road from here.”
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HOUT SAID MANY of her friends had moved away and that her church, the Clinton Presbyterian Church, had lost half its
"I'm very thankful that we get to keep our cemetery," she said. "I'll dates back to 1864. They were thinking about flooding."
Another Clinton resident said that she was worried about an increase in robberies and vandalism.
"You never know what's going to happen when all of those tourists come to town," she said. "My husband works night and I'm left alone. Frankly, I'd like to move away from here, but we can't right now."
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