Some final thoughts...
The demolition of the former Leavenworth High School is the story of more than the bulldozing of an old building. Although the legal process has been completed by the owner of the building and the demolition permit was duly granted, there are lessons to be learned.
First, the school district was allowed to dispose of a large building as expediently as possible. They were not required to take any responsibility for reuse or disposition of what taxpayers of the 1930s paid for in a time of economic hardships. The building replaced the previous high school which had been destroyed by fire in 1932.
Second, while the Leavenworth Preservation Commission unanimously denied the demolition permit, the owner appealed the decision to the City Commission as they have the right to do. LPC was overturned by a vote of 3 to 2.
I don’t believe the commissioners gave appropriate consideration to the alternatives. The building could have produced taxes. The parking lot that will soon be at 4th and Chestnut will produce no new tax revenues.
After the school district vacated the building in 2000, it was sold for $15,000. The new owner did not present a plan other than a wish to control the property to prevent something like a convenience store being built there. Several attempts were made to educate the new owners as to the potential of the building. On three different occasions over nearly a decade, the owners, city officials and representatives of the Carnegie Arts Center and First Presbyterian Church were invited to meet with different qualified architects and developers to discuss new uses.
These discussions included information about the financial incentives that would be available either to the owner or a new non-profit owner who would accommodate the owner’s needs for classrooms, kitchen area and meeting space. Parking issues were also included in these discussions. The meetings were to no avail. Out of more than 20 responses, the only architectural firm answering their request for proposals calling for demolition was chosen.
What could this city have had if a different path had been chosen? There could have been a theater for performing arts with a 500 seat capacity.
The gymnasium has space for 1,000 people, larger than most other spaces in the city. We could have had a heritage trades training program in the former shop class area. Artisans of this type are in demand with all the historic buildings in Leavenworth.
The classes of the Carnegie Arts Center could have been greatly expanded. There could have been arts exhibition space and artist’s studios. There could have been living space for artists-in-residence.
We could have had a culinary training program to enhance the hospitality industry of Leavenworth which we hope will expand.
The whole square containing two churches, the first Carnegie Library built in Kansas and the former high school could have become a National Register Historic District and one of very few squares of this importance remaining in Kansas.
Hopefully, better education of the school board and the City Commission will prevent the wasteful destruction of another valuable Leavenworth asset.
Sally Dorr Hatcher
Leavenworth, Kansas
August 23, 2011
Good government at work?
The Leavenworth community should be proud of the procedural outcome, if not the results of the recent city commission decision to allow the United Methodist Church (UMC) to proceed with their request for demolition of the old Leavenworth High School. As is known, the church purchased the building several years ago from the school district and is now considering options for the land adjacent to the church.
The original purpose of the purchase is apparently unclear or least not public, but the building remained vacant and unused in the interim. Over the years, the congregation considered options; but without decision. The building continued to “deteriorate through neglect.” Several weeks ago, the congregation petitioned the Leavenworth Preservation Commission (LPC) seeking approval to demolish the building. The building resides within historic district environs, though it is not on a historic register. Consequently, appearance before and approval from the LPC is part of the administrative process. The commission disapproved the request; setting up an appeal to the city commission. The city commission could either over-rule the “lower” body and allow the demolition or uphold the decision and disapprove the request. In a close vote, the city commission agreed with the UMC and will allow a request for demolition to advance. That is the background – and to some degree, the drama.
The issue is important to the community on several levels. The citizens speaking in support of and opposed to the demolition brought forth arguments with merit. Both sides expressed views in good faith and what they believed to be in the best interest of their position. The debate was informative, emotional yet measured and respectful. Both sides represented their position the way a serious issue should be. However, as important as the specific issues are; the procedure and operation of local citizen government was impressive and exceeds the specifics.
Think about this – the Preservation Commission has a strong and specific charter and responsibility to the city and state. In the initial round, the UMC brought their proposal forward; the LPC considered the merits, consulted the guidelines and made their decision – as they are obligated to do.
The UMC took advantage of their right to appeal and on Sept. 28. Mayor Dedeke and the commissioners listed attentively to citizens, considered the merits, expressed their views openly, and proceeded to vote and decide the matter – which they are obligated to do.
This is solid, good government working at its best – fidelity to administrative procedure, an expeditious hearing, exercise of rights and a decision by locally elected officials.
Regardless of the side of the issue you agree with; we all must agree that at least in our little part of the U.S., democratic government worked effectively.
Mike Stephenson
Leavenworth, Kansas
October 7, 2010
Leavenworth, Kansas
October 7, 2010
It's all just a memory now...
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| L>R First Methodist Church - Old Carnegie Library - First Presbyterian Church |
'Yikes'...They're taking away our final 'bastion of belief' that we've all held so dear over the years...
ReplyDeleteAbele's Field was first, and may already be in the 'demolition' mode...I haven't been back since that was announced! It will be quite strange driving out south fourth street, and not finding LHS and Abele's field.
They may as well go ahead and start bull-dozing down "Homer's Drive-In" while they're at it!
Denny Powers ('58)
I thought I should tell you that the picture of the old LHS generated a number of clear pictures for me. There was the exact place of my school locker. I visualized the auditorium and the stage where we did the Junior and Senior plays. I saw Bob Gwartney sink a basketball in the gym and listened to the band play as we danced on other occasions. The room where we had Chemistry class had a real smell. There were just so many memories that will never really disappear, even though the building will be a part of a past we can never revisit . Thanks for letting us know.
ReplyDeleteAs a graduate of LHS year 2002, I know that I did not enjoy the memories of those who attended the original LHS on 4th, but my grandparents shared their memories. I feel this city commission is one that needs replaced with a new vision. This town keeps going backwards instead of forwards. It wants to sit in a certain time period, but without all its original relics. As I have become older, I so wish the city would have kept in tact majority of what the first city of Kansas represents. Hearing of the many great stories of how the "old days" used to be, and what a great town this was, I so wish we could have incorporated older buildings into new establishments, the same way many cities much older than Leavenworth. My great Uncle Carl Shipman died in the Leavenworth High School of an aneurysm when he was just 16 in 1947. This building was not just an old building, but a memorial filled with historic significance. I know we can't turn back time now, but if only....We must keep historic buildings for our future. Is there any pieces of the building left for purchase? Bricks? Chairs?
ReplyDelete