Friday, September 21, 2007
The Historic Resources Commission unanimously denied an application from developers Paul Warner and Thomas Fritzel to build a hotel at 618 12th Street, the current location of the Crossing and Beat the Bookstore.
Members of the commission said the proposed structure, called Oread Inn, did not meet the guidelines consistent with nearby historical environs, the Hancock and Oread Districts and the Snow House.
Oread Inn’s height was the biggest reason it didn’t meet standards. The proposed building had a height of about 94 feet. Although that height was 14 feet shorter than it was when the developers went before the Commission in August, member Jody Meyer still thought the hotel would be too high.
“This building devours any of the other buildings we can use as a reference point,” Meyer said. “And not only is it tall, it’s on one of the highest points in Lawrence.”
Members also said they disagreed with the developers’ need to tear down a house at 1142 Indiana St. that is leased for apartments.
Although the Historic Resources Commission denied the application, multiple members said they liked the idea of the project and said the developers modified their proposal well since their last meeting in August.
Member Sean Williams said the project mainly needed improvements with its size.
“Scanning it down would be excellent,” Williams said. “If you could do that and make it economically feasible that would be better.”
The Lawrence-Douglas County Planning Commission will listen to the developers’ application Monday night at 6:30. It can overturn the Historic Resources Commission’s decision.
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Comments
freestyle (anonymous) says...
Thanks for UDK coverage from a member of class of '75.
the building height as proposed is 45 feet below the top of the stonework on Fraser Hall. that's tall folks !
The size is big also, larger than the recently approved WAL-MART by the new 'wal-mart' commissioners.
And, IF approved by the Zoning Commission monday it will
tear down all of the adjacent homes to the north and cover
more than 300 feet on Indiana street.
not just a replacement for the Yellow Sub.
September 21, 2007 at 3:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
freestyle (anonymous) says...
shouldn't the KU Endowment Association be concerned about how alum will feel about significantly changing the campus
on Oread Avenue, historically a neighborhood of homes ?
September 21, 2007 at 3:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )