Durbin: Project killing campus vibe
‘Eldridge on the Hill’ taking place of University memories
New expansion project has developers, not students, in mind.
Friday, August 17th, 2007
Four large losses will be experienced throughout KU this fall with the demolition of a historic piece of campus ground. Decisions this summer have cleared the way for a local group seeking to develop a seven-story “Eldridge on the Hill” hotel, a reference to the downtown Eldridge Hotel, on the historic rim of campus. The “Eldridge on the Hill” would be located on the corner of 12th and Indiana, the current home of The Crossing (which will remain open), Beat the Bookstore, Big 12 Burritos, and the former home of Yello Sub.
Although the “Eldridge on the Hill” would be a valuable addition to the community, and that it would vastly improve the “skyline” of Lawrence, the truth is that it’s taking away a cornerstone of campus. The most frustrating thing about this idea is the toss-up meaning of the word tradition. The Eldridge is known around the community as a historic site downtown, full of tradition, but the “Eldridge on the Hill” is disregarding the tradition of student-oriented locations on campus. When thinking of the word tradition, a bar and a sub shop are not necessarily the first things that come to mind, but to many here on campus, Yello Sub and the other businesses symbolize a celebration after finals, a place to meet friends between classes, the hangout on a warm summer day, or just a place to end the night. With the removal of these local establishments, we are not only denying incoming freshman the ability to experience such traditions, but we are demolishing memories and experiences played out on that block of KU campus.
Understanding the foundation for such an idea is hard to understand, especially when the incoming business does nothing to cater for the current students of KU or its traditions. Is the loss of four locally owned businesses—a legendary sub shop, an affordable bookstore, and a delicious burritos joint—really worth losing to a hotel that has another location 1.12 miles away? I think not.
Discussion
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Very Sad.
The almighty arm of West Lawrence (Olathe) is flexing it's $$$. You think this isn't a big deal? The next thing you know, Republicans will be running wild all over the east side. Citizens of the east side...Please rise up against this evil.
Dear Hippies, Take fewer showers, and play more frisbee. I no longer live in Lawrence or I would help. We must keep East Lawrence weird, free of the cookie cutter homes, and major corporations.
Sincerely,
KU Grad 2003
We Lawrencians need not only another hotel (even though the other one is less than 1.25 miles away... sad) BUT ALSO ANOTHER WAL-MART. I DEMAND MORE WAL-MART.
Also, can we please widen the one way streets to allow my SUV to go through a little easier?
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