Vol. 99, No. 65 (USPS 650-640)
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PUBLISHED SINCE 1889 BY THE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
Wednesday November 30,1988
6 killed in KC blast; arson suspected
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Investigators suspect someone deliberately set fires that caused construction trailers loaded with 45,000 pounds of a fireball in dynamite in downtown; exploded yesterday, killing six firefighters, police said.
The explosions ripped large craters in the ground and shattered windows up to 10 miles away.
Detectives investigating the deaths as possible homicides questioned four people last night to "evaluate their alibis," said Sgt. Gregory Mills, a police spokesman. There were no arrests, he said.
The first trailer was filled with an estimated 30,000 pounds of ammonium nitrate, which is used to make dynamite explode more evenly, authorities said. The second trailer was storing about 15,000 pounds of the material. A third explosion occurred moments later in what was believed to be a portion of the first trailer that had been blown apart.
The blasts left two very large craters, 30 to 40 feet wide and 6 or 7 feet deep and a smaller one about 15 feet across and 4 feet deep.
“It’s the worst thing I've ever seen,” said Battalion Chief Marion Germann.
Debris is scattered over several acres around the construction site in south Kansas City and onto nearby police spokesman Sgt. Greg Mills.
"The remains of one fire truck is sitting very close to one crater," said Fire Department spokesman Harold Knabe. "There is another vehicle of some sort, a large red truck. The other fire truck — there is absolutely no evidence that it was ever there."
Windows, some of them large plate-glass panels, were broken in scores of businesses and homes. One merchant, Stan Katz, said looters took items from the office market, where several large windows were shattered.
A woman at a motel about three-quarters of a mile away said the force knocked her from her bed to the floor.
Please see BLAST. p. 9, col. 4.
Flags were lowered to half-mast yesterday
Police cordoned off a 10-by-20 block area surrounding the site. Emergency workers evacuated an area between 75th Street and Bannister Road, and between Prospect Avenue and I-435. I-435 and Bannister Road both were closed for two hours after the first explosion but were reopened by rush hour. U.S. 71 between 75th Street and Bannister Road remained closed to traffic at midmorning. Power was out for an hour for about 800 customers in an area from 81st to 101st streets and Fremont to Grandview roads.
Residents reported windows broken doors knocked out of jams, plaster falling from cellings, loose household items and objects knocked down and broken. Some people were knocked out of their beds.
JOHNSON COUNTY
2-5 MILES
Windows were broken in many businesses along Troost Avenue south of Meyer Boulevard, and some windows were out in businesses as far north as Brush Creek Boulevard and Troost and in the area of 47th and Main streets.
Houses shook, burglar alarms were set off and windows in homes were broken. The blasts were heard and felt in the northeast area.
Planners predict downtown growth
Kansan staff writer
By Deb Gruver
Although subtle changes will occur throughout the entire city, the most noticeable changes are in the downtown area, say city planners.
When this year's freshman class has graduated, the city in which it has spent four years won't look much different than it does today.
Price Banks, city planning director, said that by 1929, downtown Lawrence would have gone through some redevelopment. But Banks do not expect a boom growth in the next four years.
He said that he expects the population in Lawrence to grow from its current estimate of 61,000 to about 65,000 in 1992.
Ron Schneider, a Lawrence resident who has been involved with historic preservation, said he will visit Lawrence by 1992.
my 1992, the riverfront development will be nice and shiny and new. Banks said "There'll be a lot of people on day and day night activity."
Lawrence is going to become a
popular weekend place and rendezvous place," Schneider said. "I imagine that about a half dozen beet and breakfasts will go
He said the riverfront project will encourage this activity. The project, which should be commissioned by local retailers and retail outlet stores. Because of it
development, planners believe the biggest changes in Lawrence will occur in the city's main shopping area.
Most development will occur in the northern section of downtown, Banks said. The city planners are encouraging optimum property use around the 600 block of Massachusetts Street.
"There will be changes in land use - revitalized and healthier," he said.
Banks predicted more theaters would appear in the 600 block of Massachusetts Street and more in other cities for shopping and social activities.
I think the Mayflower building will be redone. It will be an entertainment place or a restaurant place, a people place." Banks said.
Gary Toebben, president of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, agreed with Banks.
Jeff Dodge/KANSAS CITY TIMES
The Mayflower building is the closest building to the Kansas River.
"I think the riverfront will be the catalyst for new development in the northern area of town," Toeben said. "Four years isn't a very
long time in the life of a community, but the downtown will change."
Banks said the publication of the federal census two years from now will offer solidity to his plans. Planners need to know how many people would frequent new developments.
He said he was looking forward to working with federal numbers, rather than with state census figurers. Many county officials consider unreliable.
"By then we'll know a lot of things we don't know now." Banks said. "That'll be neat information to play with."
Although they aren't prophets, both Banks and Toebben believe that no matter what the census says, downtown and North Lawrence will have gone through some face-lifts.
Once a separate city, North Lawrence will change its junkyard look to a row of fast food places, Banks said.
"Along the highway, there will be service types of places." Banks said. "Everything will be pushed back from the highway and will
have nicer entrances."
Although the northern end of downtown will be growing, its planners hope that the 1000 block will grow as well.
"We'll be seeing changes down there and a lot of development." Banks said. "A lot of the downtown isn't used to its potential."
Downtown and North Lawrence will also be easier to get by 1992.
The Lawrence City Commission has been working to gain better traffic access to the downtown area and to the riverfront project.
Sixth Street, currently under construction, will be the major transportation route in Lawrence.
Banks anticipates that more firms would settle into the city's research park in East Lawrence and have more residential development.
"Sixth Street will have four lanes all the way out to Wakarusa Road." Banks said. "And traffic will pick up around Wakarusa."
"This will be a focal point from the West," Banks said. "People will drive in and see homes now, and the city will have a nicer edge."
Suburban mall worries business owners
Riverfront project development stalls 'cornfield' plaza plans, official says
By Deb Gruver
Kansan staff writer
Whether Lawrence's future will include a suburban mall is probably the greatest concern of Lawrence's businessmen.
The underlying message of downtown owners is to keep a suburban mail out of Lawrence.
"If we can keep a suburban mall out of here, downtown can go nowhere but up," said Jeff Arensberg, an employee at Arenseh Shoes, 825 Massachusetts St.
berg Snobs, 825 blissdale street,
Price Banks, city planning director, said plans for a suburban mall in Lawrence aren't expected by 1992.
"I don't see that we would be in the position to agree to one before 2010." Banks said. "It would take substantially more growth."
Arensberg said the key to the success of Lawrence's downtown was voting down a "cornfield" mall. Most of the downtown market has unique goods to Lawrence's customers.
Although Banks cannot foresee a suburban mall in the next four years, downtown owners still worry.
"In malls, you have the same stores with the same stuff." Arensberg said. "The service is not good."
"It's a very unique atmosphere that the downtown has created." he said.
Maintaining the essence of downtown is the goal of many Massachusetts Street store owners.
Arensburg is a member of the Downtown Lawrence Association retail steering committee. Businesses can elect to be a member
of the DLA, which encourages downtown promotion.
Brensberg, representing both concerns of a downtown owner and of the DLA, is confident that the downtown area will remain strong for the next four years.
But Mike Everett, owner of Kid's Stuff, 814 Massachusetts St., won't be a downtown business owner in 1992. He expects to close his 1-year-old store sometime in February.
"My rent is already out of the world, my little guy like me. I can't afford to show her."
Everett's decision to leave downtown was spurred by a property tax increase. He said reaproaisal triggered the tax increase.
Also a member of the DLA, he said he had been pressured to stay open on Sundays and later in the evenings.
"There's a lot of pressure to keep mal- type hours." Everett said.
type holds. LEVERBACK
One of Everett's main worries is that the downtown will grow too fast to accommodate the smaller businesses.
"Some people are willing to play that game. I'm not," he said.
Many downtown business owners don't worry about the area's rate of growth.
worry about the area?
The owner of The Etc. Shop, 732 Massachusetts St., is looking forward to the increased activity that the riverfront project is expected to bring about.
Lester, whose store opened in the 700 block of Massachusetts Street seven years ago, said the stores closest to the project will benefit the most.
Please see OWNERS, p. 10, col. 6
Mitchell elected majority leader
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — George Mitchell of Maine was elected Senate major leader yesterday by Democrats seeking a forceful new spokesman during yet another Republican reign at the White House, and he quickly
promised George Bush his initiatives would be met with "interest and enthusiasm."
Mitchell, the 55-year-old former federal judge, easily feated the
Johnston of Louisiana and Daniel Inouye of Hawaii. He succeeds Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia, who was the Republican leader as the Senate's Democratic leader.
Asked if he would cooperate with Bush, Mitchell said he planned to meet soon with the president-elect and "We hope to move forward on a broad range of issues," including the health care, day care, and the environment.
Mitchell also planned to meet today with Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas, who was re-elected by Republicans to form an as their earlier earlier yesterday.
Mitchell received congratulatory calls from Bush and Vice President-elect Dan Quayle, as well as President Reagan.
"The Democrats await with interest and enthusiasm the proposals of the next administration," Mitchell said.
Mitchell, who was just elected to his second term in the Senate, has a liberal record but promised that his lawmakers in developing a broad agenda."
Mitchell, a janitor's son who worked his way through college, was looked to by many colleagues as a solid, articulate leader and speaker who can serve as a spokesman for all Democrats.