Lawrence Business Magazine 2020 Q2 by Lawrence Business Magazine

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2020 Q2

Publisher:

Lawrence Business Magazine, LLC Ann Frame Hertzog & Steven Hertzog Editor-in-Chief:

Ann Frame Hertzog

LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHERS

Chief Photographer:

Steven Hertzog

When we chose East Lawrence as the focal point for our Q2 (June) issue, we certainly were not expecting Covid-19 to close down our city. For a moment, we discussed postponing. But even though it was going to be a challenge for our writers to get their interviews and to make sure we would be able to get the impactful visuals to go with those articles, we felt it was important to keep as much normalcy as possible for our team at LBM. And as each issue is as much about its theme as it is about connecting people, the community, and our readers – we knew it would be important to continue to get out stories for each of you, our advertisers and supporters - so here is our issue.

Featured Writers:

Anne Brockhoff Joshua Falleaf Bob Luder Patricia A. Michaelis, Ph.D. Emily Mulligan Tara Trenary

We want to thank our staff of writers, and all of those interviewed for their time, for hanging in there through various trials including proper social distancing to create this Portrait of Eastern Lawrence. Our nation is a melting pot, and nowhere in Lawrence is that best represented than in Eastern Lawrence (ELAW). The rich history of ELAW dates back before the first occupancy of the white settlers. This issue can only touch on some of what we know, and what we learned doing this issue on ELAW. But we hope it will inspire you to explore ELAW, visit its businesses, and for those wanting to know more of its rich history to visit the Watkins Museum of History at 1047 Massachusetts Street. We did approach this issue a bit differently. We are probably going to be doing that for a while as we take on the new normal. For instance, as you will see, most photographs in this issue were taken from a distance and always with social distancing and safety in mind. Doing stories on the businesses and owners was complicated as many were closed – but our writers tracked them down. Although it was making our jobs more challenging, we were proud to know that, for the most part, our community was taking their responsibilities seriously and were earnest in their desires to protect their families, staff, and community. And lastly, we also realize that many of you are facing significant challenges. We are so proud of how the community has reached out and pitched in to help each other. We were able to cover a few of those instances in our special Local Scene (Taking Care of Local). Please remember that all of our advertisers have a stake in the local economy; we would like to ask you to first consider them before looking to source your needs outside of the community. Try and shop locally as much as possible, and avoid the urge to order online. If you find something online – see if one of our local stores has it. We know that they would appreciate the business, and when you hear someone say, “We are all in this together,” remember that our local businesses are at the center of our community. Please stay safe, social distance, wear a mask as much as possible to protect those who may be at risk, and Shop Local. Sincerely,

Ann Frame Hertzog Editor-in-Chief/Publisher

Steven Hertzog Chief Photographer/Publisher

www.LawrenceBusinessMagazine.com

Copy Editor:

Tara Trenary L-R Tony Krsnich, Rev. Verdell Taylor, Kate Dinneen, and Mona Cliff Photo by: Steven Hertzog

Contributing Writers:

Alissa Bauer Jessica Brewer Contributing Photographers:

Jeff Burkhead Jim Clark Jason Dailey Monica Dittmer Guerilla Fanfare Amy Hill Adam Johnson Ginger Lobb Photography Special thank you to Monica Davis, Research Services Coordinator and Watkins Museum of History for researching and providing archived photographs. INQUIRIES & ADVERTISING INFORMATION CONTACT: info@LawrenceBusinessMagazine.com

LawrenceBusinessMagazine.com Lawrence Business Magazine, LLC 3514 Clinton Parkway, Suite A-113 Lawrence, KS 66047 Lawrence Business Magazine, is published quarterly by Lawrence Business Magazine, LLC and is distributed by direct mail to businesses in the Lawrence & Douglas County Community. It is also distributed at key retail locations throughout the area and mailed to individual subscribers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication can be reprinted or reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Lawrence Business Magazine, LLC assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Statements and opinions printed in the Lawrence Business Magazine are the those of the author or advertiser and are not necessarily the opinion of Lawrence Business Magazine.

2020 Q2

Contents Features: 8

Lawrence in Perspective:

Feel The Difference

by Joshua Falleaf

The Art of Outdoors by Tara Trenary

Seeing the Future Through the Past

by Anne Brockhoff

It Started with Lofts

Leading By Example

Off the Beaten Path

The Turnhalle by Patricia Michaelis, Ph.D.

by Bob Luder by Emily Mulligan by Bob Luder

Departments: 5

Letter From the Publishers

LMH Health

A Whole New World

14 Non-Profit: Boys & Girls Club 18

Professional Spotlight

Robyn Coventon, Heartland Health

Local Scene: Taking Care of Local

80 Newsmakers 82

Whose Desk?

Our Mission:

We are dedicated to telling the stories of people and businesses making a positive impact on Lawrence & Douglas County. /lawrencebusinessmagazine

@LawrenceBizMag

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION: LawrenceBusinessMagazine.com/SUBSCRIPTIONS

LAWRENCE & DOUGLAS CO [IN PERSPECTIVE] by Patricia A. Michaelis, Ph.D., Historical Research & Archival Consulting photos by Steven Hertzog & Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History

In the late-19th century, immigrants were critical to the United States’ westward expansion. Between 1870 and 1900, nearly 12 million immigrants arrived here hoping to improve the lives of their families. Many of these immigrants were from Germany, and they were the largest European ethnic group to settle in Kansas. Just over 5,000 German Americans lived in Kansas in the 1860s, but that number had increased to 38,566 by 1889. Many of the Germans who settled in Lawrence built homes east of Massachusetts Street, between Sixth and 18th streets. Two German-speaking churches, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church and the German Methodist Episcopal Church, were established. St. Paul’s Church did not have its own building until 1889 and held services in Turner Hall, at the corner of Rhode Island and Ninth streets, from 1870 until that time. The German Methodist Episcopal Church’s building was located on the southeast corner of 10th and New York streets. In addition, Lawrence Germania, a German language newspaper, was published from 1877 to 1918.

A Christmas celebration in Turnverein Hall.

An Early Hub of Culture The Turnhalle in East Lawrence was the center of German-American residents’ lives. As with all ethnic immigrants, German Americans brought with them their language, foods, traditions and other aspects of their culture. One such example is the turnverein, which translates to gymnastics club. In addition to offering gymnastics, the organization served as social club for Germans in Lawrence. The Lawrence turnverein was organized in 1857 to promote good health, fellowship and entertainment. The turnvereins organized in Germany in 1811 had a strong political component, but this was not true in Lawrence. Showing the importance of becoming part of their new country, the Lawrence turnverein required members to apply for U.S. citizenship. The development of the Lawrence club was impacted by the Civil War. Again, showing loyalty to the U.S., all but four members enlisted in the Union Army. Thus, the club disbanded activities until the end of the war but resumed them then. It acquired a state charter on Jan. 7, 1869, and embarked on a variety of activities. A Kansas Daily Tribune article published on June 3, 1870, announced the newly elected officers for the turnverein and contained the following endorsement of the organization: “The Society is increasing rapidly in numbers, and, as some of our best Germans are members, it is an assurance that the Turnverein is solid and sound.”

‘

When the world seems large and complex, we need to remember that great world ideals all begin in some home neighborhood. – Konrad Adenauer

’

The Lawrence Turnhalle, at 900 Rhode Island St., was built in 1869 and restored by the Lawrence Preservation Alliance in 2012. The stone 9

portion of the building was built during the summer of 1869. The first floor of the building housed the gymnastics equipment. Classes were held there, as were gymnastics competitions with turnvereins from neighboring towns. There was a balcony at the west end of the first floor, which was used by spectators watching the competitions. The east end had a stage used for theatrical performances, usually in German. The basement had a long bar and a beer cooler. The turnverein also purchased eight lots on Delaware Street, across from the Hall, for a beer garden.

An article in the Lawrence Daily Tribune on Sept. 17, 1872, reported on a Turner picnic held at Haskell’s Grove. The turnverein’s members formed a procession and marched to the picnic grounds as a group, led by the Lawrence German Band. The main activities were dancing, target shooting and gymnastic exercise, which continued throughout the day. The article noted the primary refreshment was Kuntz’s best Leavenworth beer. It also stated: “In the afternoon, quite a number of Americans visited the grove and joined in the dance and other amusements.”

The basement of the Hall provided a lively social atmosphere for members and their families, as the article “The Story of Turner Hall,” from the KU Max Kade Center for German American Studies Turnverein Collections, illustrates:

Joint activities were held with turnvereins from nearby communities. In April 1873, about 50 members of the Topeka turnverein and about 25 women traveled to Lawrence by train. They spent the day socializing, and in the evening, the crowded hall enjoyed a theatrical performance by the Topeka Turners.

“A long bar extending on the north wall dispensed beer on tap for adults and soda pop for children. You could also buy sandwiches. No hard liquor was served. Walnut card tables had slots under the tops for beersteins, while you sat in captains chairs and played pinochle or skat or other card games. Two bowling alleys were in use most of the time and children were allowed to use them too. The children set up their own pins. A door near the east end of the bar led out to the beer garden in back. In warm weather this was a popular spot. It was lighted at night and there was a fence that enclosed it from the public. Sometimes a group of youngsters would go to the ‘Nickel’ picture show in the 700 block of Massachusetts and after the show would walk down to the Hall to join their parents.” Membership reached its peak in the 1880s. Dues were $4, and an entrance fee was charged at most events. If a member became ill, these funds were used to provide $3 per week until the patient recovered. The Turnhalle occasionally held benefits to help people in need. In March 1867, a theatrical performance was held to raise money for Mrs. C. Schleifer, whose husband had drowned near Eudora. The money was to be used to help pay her mortgage. The Hall also served as an employment center. On Saturdays, newly arrived German immigrants would gather on the steps to meet employers who were looking for workers. Most of the potential employers were German Americans who owned businesses in Lawrence. The turnverein’s large variety of social activities had the greatest impact on the community. Announcements noted if the event was going to be in German. When it was not, the advertisement frequently noted that “all are welcome.”

In January 1876, the Lawrence turnverein celebrated it 10th anniversary. Attendees were entertained with vocal and instrumental music, followed by a farce titled “The Saxon School Master.” Dancing followed the theatrical performance. Admission was 25 cents. On Nov. 11, 1877, Fritz Schuetz, of Carver, Minnesota, presented the lecture “Dis Bestimmung des Menschen oder: Kein Himmel dort, vieleicht auch keener hier, was bluehtuns puerein Glueck?” While a translation was unavailable, Schuetz was somewhat controversial and described as a free thinker. Obviously aimed at those who spoke German, the doors opened at 7 p.m. with the lecture starting at 8. Admission was 25 cents. A “Grand Masquerade Ball” was held on Feb. 4, 1879, and the Kansas Daily Tribune advertisement contained the following information: “The Lawrence Turnverein will give a Grand Masquerade and Fancy Dress Ball, at their Hall on next Tuesday Evening, February 4. Costumes will be here on Monday, February 3rd, and for inspection at C. Urich’s Boarding House, up stairs, on Mass. street, between Pinckney and Winthrop.” Tickets—Each Person with Mask $1. Each person unmasked 50c. John Buch’s full Orchestra will furnish the Music, and a general good time will be had. These few examples of Lawrence turnverein activities show the diversity of the entertainment offered. From theatrical musical performances, gymnastics, shooting competitions and lectures to frequent dancing parties, the Lawrence turnverein brought the community’s German Americans together. p

A Whole New World LMH doctor advises residents to consider not only themselves and family members, but all community members when choosing daily practices to help prevent the coronavirus.

by Jessica Brewer

As states begin to reopen, and life begins to shift toward a new normal, this does not mean we should toss our masks and stop taking extra measures to ensure safety. Dr. Christopher Brychel, infectious diseases physician at LMH Health, says masks are necessary throughout the foreseeable future and maybe beyond.

“Masking helps prevent the spread of COVID-19 from person to person,” he says. “One of the major problems with COVID-19 is that people seem to be most infectious the day before they have symptoms. Many people feel they do not require masks because they do not feel sick, but unfortunately, the absence of symptoms does not equate to an absence of contagiousness. Presymptomatic and asymptomatic spread is part of what has made COVID-19 a pandemic.”

One of the first things Brychel mentions is the importance of personal responsibility to not only protect yourself and your family, but to protect the community members around you. The harrowing truth is that it only takes one person for a disease to spiral out of control. “Now more than ever, it is public accountability that we are relying on,” he continues. “The public has done an amazing job so far. We started by taking extreme safety measures to flatten the curve, and really, the community crushed the curve. It is important to remain vigilant and continue to practice great hand hygiene, social distancing, cough etiquette, staying home if you feel sick and wearing a mask while in public.” Brychel explains that following these safety parameters is how we can continue to move forward in a positive way. He notes that not only is wearing a cloth mask in public effective at reducing disease transmission, it helps keep medical-grade masks where they are most useful. 11

“We truly appreciate it when the community wears their cloth masks,” Brychel says. “Not only does this help protect the community, but it allows frontline workers to have reliable access to medical-grade masks and personal protective equipment.” As we move forward as a society, the doctor says we need to prioritize the safety of everyone. For this reason, though we may continue to relax aspects of our day-to-day lives, many precautions will likely remain in place for a while. “Unfortunately, COVID-19 is here,” he says. “Until we have a vaccine, the disease trajectory will be in the hands of the community and will depend on each and every one of our efforts. The medical staff at LMH will always be there to care for our community, but it is imperative that the public do everything in their power to ensure the hospital can continue to run in a safe and effective capacity as we move through this pandemic.” Brychel says to be mindful that with personal accountability comes the acceptance that we may need to put the brakes on. “The phases recommended by federal, state and local governments, and down to individual institutions could change if we do not see the numbers we would like,” he explains. “Though plans are in place now, they could change if the community does not band together to continue suppressing this virus.” Things may look different for now, but Brychel notes that kindness is something that does not have to look different. Being kind to your neighbor is more important now than ever. “Being kind doesn’t have to be a grand gesture,” he says. “A small deed can make such a big difference in someone’s life and help a community successfully navigate through this challenging time.” p

NON [ PROFIT ]

A COMMUNITY TREASURE Lawrence’s Center for Great Futures continues vital work of previous teen center. by Alissa Bauer

On a sticky, humid September afternoon in 2018, Boys & Girls Clubs of America president and CEO Jim Clark stood on a small stage at 2910 Haskell Ave. The words he delivered still serve as a source of pride. “This is, in my mind, the most important event taking place in the United States of America today,” Clark said in his speech. “The reason it is so significant is because it’s about the future of this country. It’s about creating great futures for these teens and youth that will come through the doors of this beautiful facility every single day.” The Don & Beverly Gardner Center for Great Futures (CGF) became an instant hit upon opening its doors on Aug. 16, 2018. The previous teen center was in the building at 1520 Haskell Ave. While it was well-loved, the deteriorating building was overflowing with teens. Only 60 kids could attend per day. Within the first year at CGF, the average daily attendance had doubled. In its second year, the Center for Great Futures brought in more than 150 kids each day. 14

“We were hopeful this place would take off, but there are always worries,” explains Monica Dittmer, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club (BGC) of Lawrence. “But to watch this place fill up as soon as the busses drop off teens from the middle schools and high schools—I couldn’t be prouder of this entire team. This is what we hoped for.” Amy Hill has served as the director of teen services since 2016 and has built a robust staff that specializes in understanding and meeting the variety of challenges that middle- and high-school students face on a daily basis. Each of them understands that the reasons for a teen attending Boys & Girls Club are very different than an elementary child. “Our teens share with us that the staff is the main reason that they come here,” Hill says. “That is one of the best things you can hear as a youth-development professional. We want this to be a safe and empowering place for the youth that we serve. Teens today are facing more mental-health stress and emotional challenges than I have seen in nearly 20 years of working with youth. Of

‘

We cannot hope only to leave our children a bigger car, a bigger bank account. We must hope to give them a sense of what it means to be a loyal friend, a loving parent, a citizen who leaves his home, his neighborhood and town better than he found it.

’

– George H.W. Bush

Photo by Jason Dailey

course, we want to support them academically and physically, but I’m very proud of how we can support kids emotionally, as well.” The staff at the Center for Great Futures makes fun a focal point. Hill, along with her middle-school specialist (Ne’Kye Sheppard) and high-school specialist (Charon Dillon), are well aware of the other ways teens could be spending their time. Rather than trying to compete with those factors, the teen team embraces them. The staff checks in on club members who aren’t able to come to BGC because of play, choir or sports practices. Hill is known for sitting in the bleachers at basketball games or in the stands at football games and track meets. The staff even planned a group field trip to the Lawrence High vs. Free State High basketball game this winter. “The fastest way we could lose their interest is by saying, ‘Well kid, you have to choose between us or them,’ ” Hill says. “We want our teen members to know we will literally cheer for them as they try new 15

sports or excel at something they love. We encourage them to have the confidence to try out for a play or sing in the choir. That’s what growing up is all about, living and learning.” Building up confidence happens in a multitude of ways at the Center for Great Futures. The culinary kitchen, shared with the Lawrence College and Career Center, is not only where nightly dinners are prepared, it’s also where the teens get to try their hand at cooking for the first—or 100th —time. The performing arts studio held BGC’s very first play, giving stage time to young actors who weren’t quite ready to audition for their school play. The gym houses kid favorites ranging from the Ball 4 All teen-only basketball league to the club’s first Stepping Team. As the Center for Great Futures grows, the current staff and members take great pride in recruiting new members. Each spring, Hill, her staff and several teen members act as ambassadors. They invite the fifth-graders from all 14 elementary schools to take a tour of CGF. They answer questions about how the teen center is different from the elementary program and why sticking with the club past fifth grade is a great decision. “Honestly, that is the best we can hope for,” BGC of Lawrence’s Dittmer says. “The longer we can keep a kid in the club, the more we can impact their lives in a positive way. My dream would be to welcome every kid into the club as a kindergartner and see them through high-school graduation. The Center for Great Futures makes that dream more of a reality every day.” To get more information or to enroll at the Center for Great Futures, please contact Amy Hill at ahill@bgclk.org. p 16

photos by Amy Hill, Jim Clark, Monica Dittmer

PROFESSIONAL [ SPOTLIGHT ]

Photos by Steven Hertzog

Robyn Coventon, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CCEP, CHPC

CEO HEARTLAND COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER What is Heartland’s most important commodity or service?

Our mission of welcoming all who need care speaks volumes about who we are and what we do as an organization. We are focused on providing solutions for all living in our community to ensure everyone is able to access and afford comprehensive medical care. Heartland provides access to primary care (pediatrics, family medicine, geriatrics), behavioral health, psychiatry, oral health/dental, transgender care, reduced pharmaceuticals, medical case management, nutrition services through our food pantry, insurance eligibility assistance and many health education programs. We believe communities thrive and become more resilient when everyone has access to the medical services they need. When we take care of each other, we build healthier communities, and the results are palpable: improved health outcomes, greater health literacy, reductions in financial and social poverty, and improved quality of life. 18

What is Heartland’s most important priority?

As the safety net medical provider for Douglas County, our priority is completely aligned with our mission –— welcoming all who need care. Ensuring that anyone who seeks our services can receive the highest quality medical care is the core tenant of who we are and what we do. Serving all patients, regardless of whether they have insurance, is not without challenges though. Heartland continues to see more people every year, which speaks to the wonderful staff and high quality of care we provide; but given that approximately 50% of the patients we see have no insurance and qualify for our lowest sliding fee scale, it means we are essentially seeing half of our patients with no reimbursement for those services. While it is core to our mission, the sheer volume of patients we see makes this an unsustainable model. Our priority is to find ways to continue to see all of the patients who walk through our door. Our challenge is to find ways to engage community philanthropy and to increase the number of insured patients who use our services, which would allow us to continue to see the high volume of uninsured patients (like the Toms shoes model, this is an easy way for people to help contribute, health care that gives back).

What have been some of the most important aspects of your success?

When I think about taking measure of success and specifically any success I have had, what I find emerging as a constant theme is the power of collaboration. Collaboration is the fuel for change and innovation. Collaboration drives us to push ourselves further than we believed possible. Collaboration is how we leave a legacy for future generations. The opportunity that exists within Lawrence and Douglas County to completely transform how this community defines and engages the system of care to become one powerful engine addressing multiple needs is the very reason I was so excited when the opportunity at Heartland presented itself. When you consider what a truly integrated system of care (one that can address medical, housing, nutrition, spirituality, behavioral health, substance-abuse treatment, criminal justice and many more) can accomplish, it’s remarkable. Being able to participate in building a system of care that will undoubtedly result in a stronger, healthier, more vibrant community is both humbling and rewarding, and I believe this is the legacy we will leave for the next generation, one that will serve as a model other communities will emulate.

How many people do you work with, serve, interact with on a daily basis and are responsible to?

seen one community health center, you’ve seen one community health center, which is one of the things I love best about working at Heartland. We get to become what the community needs, and what greater impact is there than that?

What do you see as your personal responsibility and the industry’s responsibility to the community?

My personal responsibility to the community is to ready Heartland for whatever storm comes our way. Life has a way of presenting unexpected challenges, and my role as a leader in the community and a leader at Heartland is to make sure that we are resilient and can not only overcome challenges but come through those experiences as an even stronger organization. Our mission is too critical, our purpose is clear: We are the safety net provider for Douglas County, and we must rise to meet that responsibility. If not us, then who? We are a key component of the critical infrastructure of this community, and our role of ensuring care for all is our responsibility to this community. In easy times and in times of crisis, our community needs to know that we will be here for them. Health care is a right, not a privilege, and we exist to make sure that happens.

What would you change about doing business (or working with businesses) in Lawrence?

Heartland has been growing both in the number of employees serving our community as well as in the number of patients utilizing our services. We have approximately 80 employees, and we take care of approximately 8,000 unique patients living in and around Douglas County. Through the vision of our board of directors, comprised of 13 individuals living and/or working in Douglas County, Heartland will continue to lead, innovate and collaborate to improve how health care is delivered in our community.

Having been a Lawrencian for a little over a year now, I have grown to love my new home. I have felt welcomed and encouraged, supported and challenged. The collaborative nature of the work that I do has lent itself well to this community. We are eager to learn from one another and open to working together. There has been a true commitment from the leaders in our community to work synergistically, without ego and without competition. I have found very little, if anything, I would change about my experience in Lawrence.

How do you and your industry make a positive impact on the Lawrence community?

What inspires you? Is there a specific thing, person or incident?

Heartland is a nationally recognized quality leader by HRSA (Health Resources and Services Administration). Heartland is recognized as being in the top 25% of all health centers in the United States for quality, efficiency and effectiveness.

Having access to innovative federal programs has also allowed Heartland the ability to become a regional leader in providing medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for patients going through opioid withdrawals. The most positive impact we have on our community is through our flexibility to provide the services the community needs, when they are needed, at a rate that anyone can afford. Each community health center is unique to the community it serves. There is a saying that if you have

Inspiration for me has always been the reward of knowing that the work I’m doing is making a positive difference for others. As I make decisions, one of the questions I always ask myself is how will this decision impact my staff, my patients, my community? What are the downstream consequences of the decisions I make on a daily basis? I need to know that my decisions are serving a greater good. For me, true inspiration comes when we muster the courage to tackle the complex, complicated issues facing our community. A quote from Eleanor Roosevelt has long been a comfort and an inspiration to me, and is the best illustration of what motivates and inspires me: “You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

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You have to be involved in terms of what’s happening in your local neighborhood and what issues are there.

’

– Barack Obama

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What is the biggest challenge you feel your industry is facing now?

I read an article the other day that I felt best summarized where health care is right now. Dr. Stephen Klasko said, “This is health care’s Amazon moment … I think we were always wondering what the big disruption would be that got us to join the consumer revolution, and I think this is it,” and I believe he is absolutely correct. Our industry has been grappling with many uncertainties for years now, but the challenge of how to provide health care in the most cost-effective manner without sacrificing quality of care for our patients or adding even more administrative burdens on our providers has never been more real. The need for a solution for those living in poverty, for the working poor, for our neighbors is real. Medicaid expansion is only part of the solution, but it’s a huge piece of the puzzle. Reimbursement rates from commercial insurance carriers are changing and will continue to change as we move to a more value-based care reimbursement model. The challenge for health-care providers and systems is figuring out how to get ahead of the new models and begin training our workforce today so we aren’t left behind tomorrow.

What do you foresee as being the biggest challenge for the future for your industry? And how are you addressing or preparing for it?

What we have seen over the last few months with the COVID-19 crisis has laid bare the inadequacies in our health-care system, but it has also placed a light on opportunities, such as telehealth, that, if done correctly, will benefit our patients and our health systems, and will radically revolutionize how we deliver health care in the future. As health-care providers stepped up to meet the needs of the communities they served, we looked for ways to keep our patients, staff and communities safe. Telehealth was absolutely instrumental in allowing our patients to continue to access services from the safety and comfort of their own homes. It remains to be seen what challenges lie ahead with telehealth access. The current telehealth reimbursement models expire in July 2020, and challenges may exist should telehealth access go back to the extremely limited reimbursement models that existed pre-COVID-19. p

Feel the Difference East Lawrence is not just one side of a larger town but an area with a distinctive culture uniquely its own.

by Joshua Falleaf, photos by Steven Hertzog

East Lawrence is known for its vibrant neighborhood activity, the strong character of its buildings and homes, and the passionate people who live there. Yet many of these fundamental qualities, when pushed to better describe, seem to challenge one another. First, we must define what East Lawrence is and what it is not.

“East Lawrence” is distinct from “east” or “eastern Lawrence.” East Lawrence is a neighborhood, not the side of town opposite of West Lawrence, as many may already know. The East Lawrence Neighborhood Association (ELNA) describes the neighborhood boundaries in its bylaws, codified by the City. It is “bounded on the North by the Kaw River, on the South by 15th Street and on the East by the Railroad Tracks. The West boundaries are as follows: Rhode Island Street between the river and 9th Street; the alley behind New Hampshire Street between 9th 22

and 11th Streets; Rhode Island Street between 11th and South Park Streets; and Massachusetts between South Park Street and 15th Street.” These are the physical and technical boundaries of “East Lawrence.” But East Lawrence is more than just its boundaries. Like every vibrant neighborhood, East Lawrence is a mood, a feeling and an idea. “East Lawrence is two things I think,” explains Dave Loewenstein, ELNA board member. “One is it’s a neighborhood, and that has actual boundaries … but there’s another East Lawrence, which is an idea.” This is where the identity, the culture formed by and about East Lawrence, blurs the physical boundaries. Predominantly created by how the neighborhood chooses to officially (and unofficially) represent itself in the public domain and how outsiders’ perceive and interpret that representation, East Lawrence identity and culture have found allies in residents of adjacent neighborhoods, so much so that they consider themselves a part of East Lawrence.

The idea “changes depending on who you talk to,” Loewenstein continues. But essentially, East Lawrence is “where people look out for each other, and they support each other. And I think that even more fundamentally, they need each other. We need each other to help on each other’s houses. We need each other to advocate at City Hall. We need each other because we want to be social and meet people. We need each other for work. We need each other for food sometimes. It’s always been a place that produced food, whether it was the canning factories or the community gardens and Just Food of today.” Former resident of the 1300 block of Rhode Island Street and local principle blacksmith Kate Dinneen explains, “It is an honestly strong neighborhood, and that attracts a lot of people … you can be whoever you want to be there. You can be yourself. Or you can be something that you’ve created.”

Appealing but Complex Dinneen performs her rugged craft, as do others, at “Cussed Wild,” a forge and studio space at 721 E. 9th St. “[‘Cussed’ is] where the dirty artists are—the blacksmiths and the stone carvers—those of us who make noise and dust,” she says. A significant portion of the Lawrence Cultural District, established by the City of Lawrence Cultural District Task Force in 2013, covers much of East Lawrence. With churches, galleries, historic buildings and architecture, one might not be surprised that it is a place full of activities, beautiful sights and public places to gather together—when there’s not a global COVID-19 pandemic. With such qualities, East Lawrence certainly is attractive to many. However, these alluring qualities have brought with them a number of influences East Lawrence neighbors are wary of embracing, as they could potentially change its fundamental character.

These two notions of support, neighbors supporting neighbors and free self-expression, are qualities that many neighborhoods certainly embrace, perhaps a little differently. The East Lawrence “idea” creates a kind of kinship with the people and businesses of adjacent Brook Creek, Barker and even Downtown neighborhoods. For example, there is recognition of Cottin’s Hardware and Rental, which is distinctly and officially in the Barker neighborhood, as part of East Lawrence in spirit if not geographically. But “we feel Cottin’s,” says Loewenstein, meaning there is an alignment of values between Cottin’s and East Lawrence. The way in which East Lawrence “feels” another institution, another business, seems contingent upon that entity’s alignment with the values of East Lawrence, what it is it represents. It’s easy to recognize that hard work, locally owned and supported organizations, and care for the city and the people in it are predominant.

A Citizen Action flyer for an East Lawrence Improvement Association meeting. Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History

East Lawrence Improvement Association in the 1970s supported the Haskell Loop proposal. The proposal intended to build a high-traffic roadway through East Lawrence, from Haskell Avenue to downtown, threatening the destruction of 40 homes and a stadium. The neighborhood organized, formalized, spoke up and ultimately defeated the proposition. From there, ELNA came into being, even challenging a later proposal for yet another trafficway. “East Lawrence was, figuratively and literally, looked down upon by the city for decades if not a century,” Loewenstein says. The Haskell Loop and later Eastern 23

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You can take the guy out of the neighborhood but you can’t take the neighborhood out of the guy.. guy.. – Frankie Valli

’

Dave Loewenstein stands in front of one of his murals at 834 New Hampshire which is known today as the Lawrence Farmers Market. On that same property from 1908-1912 was an outdoor summer theater called The Airdome Fair Theater. Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History.

has long-served as an arts educator and community activist, explains: “They have been trod upon.”

Parkway proposals insinuated “many people just wanted to get around East Lawrence on their way to downtown.” Even more recently, “a community art and streetscape” project called the 9th St. Corridor Project was a potential change to the neighborhood that worried many East Lawrence residents. The impulse to resist such impositions is what Loewenstein calls “historical memory.”

Defending Its Character Resilience and longevity are values of East Lawrence, as well. The future of East Lawrence and what its future might hold has been a discussion among nonresidents for some time, and residents often feel they aren’t heard and are often not even included in the conversations about what can and should happen in their backyards. Dinneen, who 24

East Lawrence residents’ “ability to continue to shape organically the place that they live could be taken out of their hands pretty quickly,” Loewenstein says. “And this is not all bad, but I’m really aware of how those impacts could have larger consequences than they originally set out to have.” It is with this care and concern that the passion of ELNA and the neighborhood at large may be perceived negatively by those who aren’t as invested in the character and people of East Lawrence. Development and business in particular could shape East Lawrence in many significant ways. As with all the potential changes—residents, businesses—it’s a complicated bag of potential. For instance, relative newcomers Bon Bon and Lawrence Beer Co. ping Loewenstein’s radar and likely many others’. “I think Bon Bon’s great,” he says. “I love how they rehabbed that building. I think it’s a really nice business.” Then he weighs the possible unforeseen effects. “I think there’s a lot of East Lawrence folks who can’t afford it or really can’t afford it very often. And a large number of folks who, it’s not their jam. And I think that’s OK, too. It’s just that, if you start to have one, two, three, four, five—you know, how many of those do you have before the culture of the place really changes?”

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Blacksmith Artist Kate Dinneen works in her studio in east Lawrence A small locomotive on track near Theo. Poehler Mercantile Wholesale building. Attached banner reads, ”Eight wheel type simple engine …1881”. Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History.

It’s this unknown impact, this potential change of character that creates an environment that can be both positive and negative. “Folks who come in to East Lawrence,” Dinneen says, “want to enjoy the fun thing that drew them there but also to change it to fit them because of what makes them comfortable. So there’s this constant tension. And I think a lot of times, tension is very attractive.” As with any type of tension, people experience it differently, hence the varied responses to initiatives from the residents of East Lawrence and ELNA. “People think of [ELNA] as a monolith,” Loewenstein says, “but it is not.” The board of ELNA is populated by people whose ideas and opinions differ, often greatly. All come to the table with a passion for East Lawrence, yet the tension creates fear and concern for some, opportunity and excitement about possibilities for others.

This kind of tension is terrific for the artists who work there. Even they recognize the influences and neighborhood responses that create this tension are real for their neighbors. “We can be noisy there, we can be dirty there,” Dinneen says. “We’re right next to the railroad tracks, but if too many people move in and start complaining about what we’re doing, we’re not going to have a place to exist. Art like that is not going to be able to happen.”

Thanks for 50 Growing Years!

The bigger concern, of course, is the impact on the pocketbooks of residents, current and potential. “How does that impact the folks that have been living there to stay in their homes?” Loewenstein says. “And whether or not younger families or individuals can afford to live there? It’s something we’re facing more now than we ever did.” An influx of development, business and even would-be residents could have an effect on people’s ability to live in East Lawrence because of an increase in property values and therefore taxes. This adds yet another source of existential tension: the thriving, exciting East Lawrence that draws businesses and people to it is also what could potentially and unintentionally change what the neighborhood is and its values. Whether person or business or development, you can be who you want to be unless it raises property taxes. “That’s the tension of East Lawrence,” Dinneen says. “Even though East Lawrence has a reputation of being cranky or belligerent or arguing just for the sake of arguing, there’s also a lot of caring,” she adds.

The Silver Lining Neighborhoods in cities such as Lawrence embrace and promote their character and one-of-a-kind qualities so as to distinguish and make a place for themselves. As new opportunities develop, the question becomes how does a neighborhood keep its identity and be “shaped organically” with so much interest and so much influence pervading from without? East Lawrence is clearly distinct from other neighborhoods and continues to draw attention and interest from people and businesses similarly passionate about all that it has to offer. Because of, or in spite of, the “tension,” it continues to be a focal point for any and all who are excited about its essential character and what it could be. This is what makes East Lawrence integral to Lawrence as a whole, vital to our culture and arts scene, and a wonderful place to live. p 27

The Art of Outdoors Nature, recreation and history intertwine in the eclectic world that is East Lawrence. by Tara Trenary, photos by Steven Hertzog

Spending time outdoors is an essential part of life, especially during times of increased daily stress and anxiety. According to WebMD, the health benefits of spending time outside include getting exercise and Vitamin D (vital for your bones, blood cells and immune system), decreasing anxiety, connecting with others, improved sleep, increased selfesteem, sharper focus, better immunity, a boost in creativity and maintaining a healthy weight. “Access to recreation is essential for people of all ages and all walks of life,” explains Stephen Mason, recreation center programmer for the City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation department. “From children learning social skills and coordination through sports, to adults maintaining a healthy lifestyle and managing stress, to seniors learning new skills and maintaining social cohesion, recreation improves everyone’s life.”

The Kaw Pavilion at Burroughs Creek Trail top right: Kristi St. Onge and her family spend time on the trail.

So how do you improve your life through recreation during a worldwide pandemic when you’ve been relegated to your house and told to leave only for essential goods such as groceries? “We are a community of people who like to have house concerts, potlucks, socialize with each other, and we cannot do that,” explains Barry Shalinsky, board member and former president of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association (ELNA). Right now, “People walk and bicycle and garden, perhaps a bit more than normal. People are pretty observant of social distancing. Though people use parks and trails, they do not congregate, and people speak from a safe distance.” But once our world finally settles down and gets back to normal (or possibly a new normal post-pandemic), it’ll once again be time to explore the world around you. So why not start with East Lawrence?

Uniquely ELaw Since its early beginnings, East Lawrence has been a diverse working-class neighborhood built on a walkable scale, Shalinsky says. He explains the ELNA gives an organized voice to East Lawrence residents and works to preserve the character of the neighborhood, supporting infrastructure enhancement, preservation of brick sidewalks and streets, rightof-way tree planting, rezonings to preserve residential character of the neighborhood, cleanups, services for residents and social gatherings among community members. It works with the city offering input on municipal decisions that potentially impact the neighborhood. “Lawrencians should definitely visit East Lawrence facilities for unique attributes such as kickball games in Hobbs Park, cultural events … bicycling or jogging on the Burroughs Trail,” Shalinsky says. “Reading the kiosks on the trail can be an educational experience. On the way there, Lawrencians should notice the neighborhood’s special charm.” That “special charm” is abundant in the east side’s outdoor and recreational offerings.

Burroughs Creek Trail & Linear Park

A popular spot for walking, running, biking or just enjoying some time in nature, Burroughs Creek Trail and Linear Park runs from 11th to 23rd streets along an abandoned rail corridor west of Haskell Avenue. Funded through a sales tax passed by voters in November 2008 along with a KDOT transportation grant, the initial purpose of the trail was “to provide a safe walking and biking path for the neighborhood, as well as continued development of the Lawrence Loop, which had this trail connect to the

Haskell Rail Trail,” the first operational rail-trail in Kansas, explains Roger Steinbrock, marketing coordinator with the Parks and Recreation department. “That’s what public or community parks and facilities are meant to do—bring people together as a community,” he continues. “Physical activity is important to one’s wellbeing. Parks and trails allow people to relieve stress, get back to nature as well as be physically active.” Kristi St. Onge, engineer and resident of East Lawrence, agrees. “We are always on the move, so a connecting park is our favorite kind,” she says. “It is a nice, wide trail with workout stations that the kids enjoy and informational signs that tell the history of the area.” She explains her family often uses the Burroughs Trail to get to downtown or to the Baker Wetlands, both favorite spots of theirs. “You can even get to Fields and Ivy Brewery,” she quips. “It’s unique and useful at the same time.” A notable addition to the park in 2019, The Kaw Pavilion won the global 2019 Architecture Master Prize compe-

tition, one of just eight awards presented in the “Green Architecture” student category. The project also won the American Institute of Architects Merit Award in the professional category for Small Architectural Project. Built in collaboration with the University of Kansas School of Architecture and Design third-year students and the City’s Parks and Recreation department, the project was praised for its unique design, use of recycled and sustainable materials, and expansive community and professional partnerships. It’s named for the Kansas River, the watershed in which it resides, and draws inspiration from the Kansa tribe, the first inhabitants of the region. Located at 900 E. 15th St., the structure is used as an outdoor classroom, meeting space for local groups, as well as a resting area for trail users.

Brook Creek Park Possibly one of the most historical outdoor spaces in East Lawrence, in the early 1900s, Brook Creek Park was one of the very first amusement parks in the country. Known then as Woodland Park, the 43 acres of woods between the northernmost residences of Brook Creek Neighborhood, the Public Works Yard and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad tracks was the site initially purchased by the Lawrence Amusement Co., which built the amusement park. In his very first novel “Not Without Laughter,” Langston Hughes writes: “The first of its kind in the city, with a merry-go-round, a shoot-the-shoots, a Ferris wheel, a dance-hall, and a bandstand for weekend concerts.” Just 25 years after Coney Island opened the very first roller-coaster in the country, the “Daisy Dozer” was constructed in Woodland Park. According to the 2010 Lawrence Journal-World article “The Daisy Dozer’s Day,” in June of 1910, the Lawrence Amusement Co. constructed the Daisy Dozer roller-coaster in the park, which was close to heavy rail lines. This drew traveling carnivals, circuses with exotic animals and celebrities like Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show to Woodland Park. Added later were a half-mile horse-racing track, a baseball diamond, a football field and a large dance pavilion with a stage. 30

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Many of the green places and open spaces that need protecting most today are in our own neighborhoods. In too many places, the beauty of local vistas has been degraded by decades of ill-planned and ill-coordinated development.. development.. – Al Gore

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top to bottom Amy Ousdahl on the bridge in Brook Creek Park KT Walsh fishes in east Lawrence The Daisy Dozer rollercoaster at Woodlawn Park in east Lawrence. Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History.

According to the Lawrence Daily-World Journal on Dec. 23, 1913: “The city enjoys a modern pleasure grounds, where old and young have been enabled to spend a day or evening under favorable weather conditions, without interference from an undesirable element. The attendance proved the popularity of Woodland Park.” Amy Ousdahl, Brook Creek Neighborhood Association (BCNA) coordinator, says that in the late 1920s or early 1930s, the amusement park fell into disrepair, and the land was offered to the city for free if it were to remain a park. Because the city wanted to use it for industrial purposes, the offer was turned down. A stalemate ensued that lasted for years, and finally the city purchased the land and agreed with the BCNA that the “Nature Woods Area” would remain an undeveloped wooded nature preserve. In 2017, BCNA, along with Grassland Heritage Foundation and Kaw Valley Native Plant Coalition, installed a new perennial native plant garden in Brook Creek Park. Located on the west side of the park gazebo, Ousdahl explains, prairie plants such as butterfly milkweed, upright coneflower, Bush’s poppy mallow, New England aster, Missouri evening primrose and prairie dropseed grass develop very deep roots to help native plants survive dry conditions and prevent soil erosion. This also provides habitat for indigenous wildlife. “Brook Creek is traditionally a gardening neighborhood, and many of our residents use their yards as food garden space,” she says. “So there is an emphasis on preserving green spaces throughout our community.” Tucked back in nature away from busy main roads, the park offers visitors a place to enjoy traditional playground offerings (play equipment, basketball courts, gazebo, restrooms), along with access to the nature woods area trails and nature preserve. “Brook Creek Park is a hidden gem in the neighborhood parks system and is a great spot to stop if you’re in the area visiting Oak Hill Cemetery or Memorial Park Cemetery,” Ousdahl says, “or just looking for a quiet, family-friendly park.”

The Dave Loewenstein mural adorns the stands at Hobbs Park. right: Stephen Mason in front of East Lawrence Recreation Center

Hobbs Park Myra Hobbs, a late resident of Lawrence, left in her will approximately $70,000 to the City of Lawrence to be used to purchase land to create a city park. She directed the City to purchase land existing east of Massachusetts Street between Sixth and 15th streets, and asked the park be named for her late husband, Earl Hobbs. KT Walsh, East Lawrence Neighborhood Association vice president, recites the story she heard: Hobbs donated the money so the children of East Lawrence could have a park, but the city took the money hoping to use it for the Haskell Loop, claiming there were no children in East Lawrence to build a park for. Local Reverend Wesley Sims and his wife, pivotal figures in East Lawrence history, told East Lawrence residents to dress their children in their Easter best, and he led them, along with local ministers, to City Hall. At the podium, the reverend asked everyone to join hands and pray. One commissioner pointed out they did not pray at commission meetings, but the reverend closed his eyes and led a prayer anyway. As the children were gathered around the reverend, he said, “These are the children of East Lawrence, and they deserve their park.” “We got our park,” Walsh quips. Located at 10th and Delaware streets, Hobbs Park has three distinct elements, ELNA board member Shalinsky points out. The historic Municipal Stadium structure and ball field were previously used for baseball and softball, and now hosts the Kaw Valley Kickball League, a nonprofit community organization that raises money for local nonprofits. Sunday nights at the ball field have been happening for well over 40 years. The playground and picnic area are the “neighborhood” part of the park, used primarily by East Lawrence residents. And the Murphy-Bromelsick House, an 1860s house relocated to the

park in 2001, serves as a reminder of the city’s abolitionist history. “This is one place where communities define, experience and celebrate themselves,” Shalinsky says. “There is no finer example of this than the Stadium mural art.” There have been improvements to the park over the years, Walsh says, and the ball stadium is now on the local and state historic registers because of the Negro League and semipro games that were played regularly there, as well as for its architecture. “Since East Lawrence is part of the original townsite and densely inhabited, with 50-foot-wide lots, Hobbs Park is small,” Walsh continues. “We would love to see it expanded east where the old sale barn was. Most parks in the newer parts of town are larger because the open land was there. Once again, our kids deserve a bigger park.” Along with Municipal Stadium and the playground area, Hobbs also offers a picnic shelter (with electricity, barbecue grill, picnic tables, a drinking fountain), basketball court and a baseball/softball field. “When the fireflies return in summer, the park becomes a magical, sparkling place,” Walsh says.

East Lawrence Rec Center If you prefer a facility that offers both indoor and outdoor options, the East Lawrence Recreation Center, built in 1979 in the heart of the historic east side, is popular among people young and old, and provides a comfortable atmosphere to work out, play games, take classes, hold meetings, play on the playground or just enjoy locally created mosaics and sculptures. Located at 1245 E. 15th St., the center is a hub of activity on most days and a popular place for local east-siders. The facility went through a $2-million renovation in 1997, funded by a one-cent sales tax passed in 1994, part of which was used for the original art both inside and outside the facility. “We are one of the truly neighborhood recreation centers,” Rec Center programmer Mason says. “We work to cultivate relationships with the people who come through the building. In my time here, I’ve gotten to be a part of one young man’s incredible weight-loss journey, seen troubled kids blossom and graduate, and coordinated with generous patrons who have donated a piano, soccer goals and some of our game equipment.”

The Rec Center strives to serve all groups and create a safe and welcoming space for everyone to recreate in their own way, he continues. Some groups come to walk laps in the morning and have coffee afterward; there’s a special populations camp in summer and wheelchair basketball in the winter; and kids can be found running around as early as 7:30 a.m. some mornings. The East Lawrence community is “passionate, supportive and kind. They help each other with skills in the gym and share the communal space well. They look out for children in the neighborhood and help each other whenever they can,” Mason says. The Rec Center is free and open to the public, and it rents space for private events. It has a gym, locker and shower facilities, small gym for gymnastics (which includes a tumble track, bars, rings, rope, balance beam, minitrampoline, cheese wedge, octagons and preschool mats), wellness and weight room, and a meeting room with a full-sized kitchen.

New Beginnings Whether you live on the north, south, east or west side of Lawrence, the history, beauty and uniqueness of East Lawrence are always great to explore. And during times of change and uncertainty, getting outdoors can provide a sense of peace and stability. It is “a community of creative, talented, free-thinking individuals. We love and are proud of our neighborhood, our built environment, our history, our neighbors,” ELNA’s Shalinsky says. “Because of our neighborhood’s age and location, and attendant redevelopment pressures, we live in a fragile balance. We are passionate about protecting our neighborhood and our neighbors. We love to celebrate ourselves together in our outdoor spaces.”p

Seeing the Future Through the Past

Monica Cliff painting her mural at the corner of 11th and Pennsylvania Streets

The split between east and west started early in Lawrence, and East Lawrence has transformed into an artistic, eclectic part of town. by Anne Brockhoff, photos by Steven Hertzog

Gardens across East Lawrence were bursting with flowers in May, but none were more intriguing than those painted by Mona Cliff, a multidisciplinary visual artist creating a mural near the corner of 11th and Pennsylvania streets. A chokecherry’s white plume, the purplish-red swirl of a pawpaw blossom and the amethyst petals of timpsila, also called wild prairie turnip, are among the indigenous species featured in Natives NOW, Cliff’s contribution to the Rebuilding East Ninth Street Together arts initiative. Each plant is painted on a panel; more panels spell “people” in the Osage Nation’s orthography to complete the mural. Cliff also planted those once-staple foods along the Burroughs Creek Trail & Linear Park, near 12th and Oregon streets, but her project isn’t about food. It’s about honoring the Native Americans who once populated the Kansas plains and those who now call Lawrence home. 34

“The core theme of my project is bringing visibility to our native community and representing our community,” Cliff explains. It’s fitting that Cliff’s project is in East Lawrence, which has been a distinct neighborhood since Lawrence’s founding in 1854. Racially diverse and working class, residents welcomed newcomers, including African Americans and Mexican railroad workers, even as they suffered from discrimination and poverty. Recognition of that past is essential to understanding Lawrence’s potential, historians agree. “Without East Lawrence and its people, the story of settlement, town building and stability in Lawrence would be incomplete and misleading,” Dale E. Nimz wrote in an essay published in Embattled Lawrence: Conflict and Community, a collection edited by Dennis Domer and Barbara Watkins.

Phil Collison works his plot in the community garden A large number of delivery wagons with drivers and teams of horses in an open space near the Santa Fe railroad in east Lawrence Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History.

Split From the Beginning Lawrence was immediately bedeviled by an east-west split when settlers arrived at the previously surveyed site to find squatters had already claimed land east of what was to become Massachusetts Street. The dispute was eventually resolved, but the divide remained. Sometimes “East Lawrence feels under attack, but that began in 1854,” Domer said in an interview. The architectural historian is now working on a new three-volume edition of Embattled Lawrence, which was originally published in 2001. East Lawrence grew rapidly, in part because it was within easy walking distance of railroad and manufacturing jobs, churches, shops and social centers. Still, it was disparaged as “The Bottoms” because of its low-lying position next to the Kansas River, and land there was worth less than elsewhere. Residents—mostly German Americans, African Americans and arrivals from states in the Middle West and Upper South—didn’t fit the New England image promulgated

by Lawrence’s founders. Newspapers and politicians fretted over pockets of blight that, by the 1900s, were rife with illegal liquor, gambling and prostitution. “East Lawrence was the side of town people didn’t go to— except they did go there for drinking and carousing,” says Phil Collison, president of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association (ELNA). Over time, East Lawrence fell into what Embattled Lawrence called “a cycle of decay and abandonment.” Aging houses and high rental occupancy made it a target for redevelopment plans in the 1970s and 1980s, including one for a trafficway along its northern boundary that resi35

dents rebuffed. A slow renewal has since been underway, to the point where gentrification has become the worry. That’s spurred community activism, and residents work to help shape East Lawrence’s future. “We’ve had a strong sense of self and of who we are,” Collison says. “We focus on making our neighborhood a better place.”

Native American Representation East Lawrence has in recent decades taken on an artistic, eclectic vibe. That got a boost in 2013, when the city created a cultural arts district that overlays most of the neighborhood. A string of former industrial properties on Pennsylvania Street have been redeveloped as the Warehouse Arts District, and studios, galleries, a brewery and restaurants have all opened. Public art has also increased thanks in part to Rebuilding East Ninth Street Together, which began in 2014, when the Lawrence Arts Center received a $500,000 grant from ArtPlace America. The ELNA is also a partner. Artists selected for grants, including Cliff, celebrate the food, stories, families, art and music of East Lawrence. Cliff’s mural focuses on the Osage Nation because of its history in Kansas and because her husband and children are among its members. She herself is A’ananin/Assinaboine. But elements of Cliff’s images are familiar to many tribes, such as the ribbons that evoke ribbon skirts worn by indigenous women and floral patterns similar to those of scarves worn with traditional regalia.

Cody Marshall stands in front of the archway leading into the Haskell Indian Nations University Stadium

in 1884 as a boarding school and served as a high school, postsecondary vocational education school and junior college before becoming a four-year university. Haskell is now a leader in indigenous education and a source of pride for the hundreds of Native American and Alaska Native tribes whose members have studied or worked there. “That makes Lawrence the most tribally diverse place in North America at any one time,” explains Cody Marshall, a professor in Haskell’s Indigenous and American Indian Studies Department, who belongs to the Akimel O’odham, Piipaash and Hunkpapa Lakota tribes.

Current social distancing because of the COVID-19 pandemic means some elements of Cliff’s project are on hold, including public benches and Final Friday events projecting Native American images. Yet it still presents a powerful message.

While Haskell is too far south to be considered part of East Lawrence, there is a connection. Completion of the Burroughs Creek Trail broke what Marshall calls the “invisible barrier” of 23rd Street by linking Haskell to other neighborhoods. That’s a boon for the students, faculty and staff such as Marshall who live in East Lawrence and cherish its character.

“It’s important to have somebody represent us so we can see ourselves in the community,” Cliff says. “We don’t always see that.”

“There’s a certain community spirit that exists in East Lawrence that’s very close to being aligned with the indigenous way of connecting with people,” he says.

One familiar Native American landmark is Haskell Indian Nations University. It opened 36

Feeling History in Your Bones Connection is also what makes East Lawrence unique to Verdell Taylor, pastor of the St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, at 9th and New York streets. “The feeling of this community is so special,” Taylor says. “There are still people looking out for one another.” St. Luke AME Church was founded in Lawrence in 1862, just two years after Kansas passed an antislavery constitution and African Americans—both escaped slaves and freed people—made their way to the state. The Exoduster movement of 1879 brought even more to Douglas County, and many settled in East Lawrence. By the turn of the century, African Americans owned grocery stores, hotels, blacksmith shops, bakeries and other businesses in Lawrence, and had established mutual aid societies, masonic lodges, women’s clubs and churches, Embattled Lawrence explains. In 1910, St. Luke AME Church replaced its first wooden building with a brick version built in the Gothic Revival ecclesiastical style. It’s the church Langston Hughes attended as a child, where activists met during the civil rights movement and where about 100 members still belong today. “It’s a different kind of history here,” Taylor says of the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. “It’s something you can feel in your blood, in your bones.”

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While the spirit of neighborliness was important on the frontier because neighbors were so few, it is even more important now because our neighbors are so many.. many..

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– Lady Bird Johnson

Sadly, some of that history is heart-wrenching. Three men were lynched in Lawrence in 1882, and the 1920s brought Ku Klux Klan rallies to South Park. Jim Crow laws enforced segregation, and racism ran deep, says Bill Tuttle, a professor emeritus at the University of Kansas (KU) who has long studied and written about race. “Most people don’t see Lawrence’s history this way at all,” he explains. “They take comfort from Bleeding Kansas and John Brown. That was a glorious history, but it didn’t last long.” Racial tension escalated through the 1960s as African Americans and their supporters pressed for change in Lawrence’s schools, recreational facilities and businesses. At KU, students embraced Black Power and started the Black Student Union. Afro-House opened on Rhode Island Street in East Lawrence and served as a focal point for activism. By 1970, Lawrence was reeling from protests, a curfew and fire bombings, including a fire that destroyed KU’s Memorial Union. Then, on July 16, police killed a young black man named Rick “Tiger” Dowdell. Four days later, a police officer shot Nick Rice, who was white. The city grappled with their deaths while at the same time struggling to come to terms 38

Reverend Verdell Taylor stands outside the St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church at 9th and New York streets

with the Vietnam War, women’s liberation, counterculture and other issues. “For better or worse, this sixties experience has shaped Lawrence,” historian Rusty Monhollon wrote in Embattled Lawrence. Through it all, St. Luke AME Church was there for the community. “By no means did people go through these things without the heartache and the pain,” Taylor says. “St. Luke was at the center of many things back in the beginning, but it still feels the pain and hardship that people today continue to go through.” The church at the time of publication is closed because of a statewide stay-at-home order, and Taylor looks forward to when services can resume, as well as the Boy Scout, Lawrence Preservation Alliance and other meetings typically held there. For now, he remains engaged in the community as much as possible. “The feeling that you get in East Lawrence, which, for me, is different than the other segments of the community, is that it’s calling you to be involved,” he says.

Remembering La Yarda Certainly, Brenna Buchanan Young felt that pull back in 2009, when she was an architecture student at KU. Young was helping Dennis Domer complete an architectural survey of East Lawrence when they met artist and activist K.T. Walsh. “K.T. Walsh said, ‘I really need to show you something,’” recalls Young, who is now an architectural historian in Lawrence. Walsh took them east to an overgrown spot between the railroad tracks and the river. There, she pointed out the remains of La Yarda, a housing complex built by the Atchison, Topeka and Sante Fe Railway in 1924 for Mexican railroad workers and their families.

Farmers Union Grocery Store located at 9th and New Hampshire Where Great American Bank stands today. J.A. Brooks Co. wholesale Beverage Company warehouse at 715 New Jersey acroos from the railroad tracks where Van-Go stands today Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History

It wasn’t entirely unique. Immigration from Mexico swelled in the early 20th century, and by 1930, Mexicans were the second biggest ethnic group in Kansas, according to the Mexican American Studies and Research Center at the University of Arizona. Many worked for the railroad, and <las yardas< sprang up in Topeka, Kansas City and elsewhere. They’ve since disappeared, but the impact of Lawrence’s lingers in the memories of those who grew up there. “It was just the closeness of the people,” remembers Pedro “Pete” Romero, whose family lived at La Yarda. “People were so willing to help each other. It was great.” The complex had two long rows of housing units facing each other, with a stretch of grass in between and a single pump that supplied city water, Romero says. Men worked for the railroad and tended a large garden while women cooked, cleaned and cared for the children. The kids liked walking into town to play with cousins or visit the row of warehouses near 8th and Pennsylvania streets, especially on Wednesdays. That’s when TNT Popcorn, a division of the Barteldes Seed Co., popped test batches of kernels and gave the popcorn to the kids, Romero explains. “People were friendly,” he says. “It didn’t matter if you were Hispanic or black or white.”

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River flooding was a constant threat to La Yarda, and Romero’s family moved to a house on New Jersey Street after the Great Flood of 1951 finally destroyed the complex. Decades later, he and a friend returned to La Yarda to measure the foundations and document its layout. He also collected family photos from friends, and many were used in an exhibit created by the Watkins Community Museum of History. Young assisted with research. That part of Lawrence’s history was almost lost, but Romero hopes the city will dedicate a landmark to La Yarda so that never happens again. “It’s a rich, rich history of the people who lived at La Yarda and struggled to make a better life for themselves,” Romero says. “We need our young kids to remember their grandmas and grandpas, and where they used to live.” The same could be said for all of East Lawrence. For, as Dennis Domer puts it, the past is prologue. Understanding the neighborhood’s complex history is the key to helping Lawrence better appreciate its modern character and celebrate its potential. p

Brenna A. Buchanan Young and Dennis Domer out for a walk along the railroad tracks in east Lawrence. Pedro â&#x20AC;&#x153;Peteâ&#x20AC;? Romero stands on the train platform at the Amtrak train station. Photos of what remains of the foundation at La Yards and an artistes rendition of the La Yarda buildings courtesy of Brenna A. Buchanan Young Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History

IT STARTED WITH LOFTS

East Lawrence’s Warehouse Arts District started with a singular focus on converting one building and blossomed into something so much more. by Bob Luder, photos by Steven Hertzog

When Tony Krsnich was sewing the first seeds of development for a little-regarded area of East Lawrence eight years ago, his visions were more molehill than mountain.

warehouse Krsnich was developing into a restaurant he called Bistro and created Bon Bon, an eatery serving food sourced locally.

He looked at the century-old Poehler Mercantile building down on Pennsylvania Street, between Eighth and Ninth streets, a building that was targeted to be torn down, and thought it might be a good structure to convert into loft apartments. But the idea went no further than that.

Lawrence Beer Company completed the strip of renovated old buildings on Pennsylvania Street years later, and businesses like Repetition Coffee, Decade, Jungle House, Culinaria and Hoke Ley Architects & Design have further enhanced a neighborhood that was known more for industrial- and service-related businesses.

“There was no plan or financial capacity to look at creating an arts district,” says Krsnich, president and chief executive officer of Flint Hills Holdings Group. “This was just one building.”

Put together, it’s become known in Lawrence as the Warehouse Arts District. And it’s quickly becoming one of the coolest places in town to hang out, grab a bite or drink and get social.

Flash forward to today, and an arts and entertainment district is precisely what Krsnich’s original plan has blossomed into. Soon after the Poehler Lofts went in, Krsnich’s second project, the Cider Gallery, a combination art gallery/events space, was created next door. Next door to that, Codi and Simon Bates, owners of the Burger Stand on Massachusetts Street, took an old ammunitions

“It’s really exciting to see the energy that’s been built around here,” says Dalton Paley, a Lawrence artist who owns Art Emergency, which rents working spaces to artists and displays work, in the area. “It’s given people a great place to live, a place to work.

“To me, it’s one of the more exciting places in Lawrence.”

‘

If we wish to rebuild our cities, we must first rebuild our neighborhoods.. neighborhoods.. – Harvey Milk

’

Codi and Simon Bates in front of their restaurant Bon Bon!

A Surprise Hit Krsnich says he knew something special was happening when he leased all 49 units of the Poehler Lofts within 11 hours of opening. “Some movers and shakers, along with some old guard, took interest,” he says. That included George Paley (Dalton’s father), a wellknown local artist and businessman who worked with Krsnich on the idea of developing one of the old buildings on Pennsylvania into an art gallery that also could serve as an events space. “The Cider Gallery came from that,” Krsnich says. “We believed if we got artists involved, people would want to hold high-end events on the first floor.” The Lawrence Arts Center, then under the leadership of Susan Tate, who was its chief executive officer from 2009 to 2016, also got involved in the district’s development. A big part of the center’s mission was to find places where artists could live and work affordably. Tate formed a partnership of ideas with Krsnich and solicited funding from both private foundations and government sources, including ArtPlace America, a foundation that matches funding to help support public art projects. “When you find a place like the Warehouse Arts District, where city and private parties are investing, it’s the per-

fect opportunity to form a partnership,” Tate explains. “It targeted money for public art and work spaces, which I think is really important. It’s a fabulous neighborhood with fabulous working-class architecture.” The Cider Gallery opened in April 2013. In 2014, the space won the National Historical Development of the Year award from the National Trust. Krsnich developed the second floor of the Cider Gallery into a flexible workspace for entrepreneurs. While some of the space has been broken into separate offices, much is left open for people to work in communal comfort and collaboration. “There are three revenue sources,” Krsnich says. “There’s membership, cubicle rental and standard office rental. We designed it so that, if the cowork space did well, it could carry the rent of the building. If the downstairs did well, it could carry the rent of the building.” With the Cider Gallery and Poehler Lofts up and running, Krsnich didn’t stop there. He built 9 Del Lofts just south and east of the area—43 units, 80 percent of which are affordable housing. At 716 East Ninth St., he took a 2,000-square-foot building and broke it up into a live/work space called the Annex Building. And in the works are the Penn Street Lofts, going in at Eighth and Pennsylvania 43

Tony Krsnich stands in the same location as this stone cutting yard located at 9th and Delaware (with the same stone building behind). Eight workers can be seen near pieces of stone which they are shaping with chisels and mauls. Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History

streets, across the street west of Bon Bon. The plan there is for 47 units, seven live/work units and an additional 4,600 square feet of commercial/retail space on the first floor. Krsnich predicts more than 100 jobs will be created with that project. Before all the development, buildings in the district were about 90 percent vacant, he says. Today, it’s close to 100 percent occupancy with hundreds of people on waiting lists to rent a loft or workspace. “We did all this organically,” Krsnich continues. “Not having a master plan, it’s far exceeded my expectations. All projects have artists in mind, affordable housing in mind. Affordable housing is outstanding, but I’m most proud of the job creation and retention. There were maybe 10 to 15 people working in the area before. Today, there are more than 200.”

Simon Bates for that. In fact, the Bateses later bought the Cider Gallery building from Krsnich. “If I didn’t find Simon and Codi, I’m not sure what I would’ve done with that space,” he says. For the Bateses, the development and opening of Bon Bon was a natural, albeit risky, venture. In 2009, the couple purchased a rundown house in East Lawrence near the restaurant. They had lived in the neighborhood nearly 12 years, were raising a 3-year-old daughter and had watched the area slowly develop. “We worked well with Tony,” says Codi Bates, Bon Bon’s general manager in addition to owner. “We like a challenge. Bon Bon was risky. But, we just fell in love with the space. It was a space comfortable for the community.”

Bon Bon Appetit!

It wasn’t always a comfortable space for a restaurant, however. For the first few years of the business, the kitchen was in a food truck parked adjacent to the property. Dining space was small.

Of all the Warehouse Arts District projects he’s been involved in, Krsnich says there’s no project he’s more proud of than Bon Bon and credits his relationship with Codi and

But over the years, those early constraints were remedied. A full kitchen was included with a new addition that also included enclosing an awning previously used for outdoor

‘

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seating and limited to good-weather evenings. Bon Bon lost its garden across the street, where it sourced much of its produce, to development of Penn Street Lofts, but developed a culinary garden within the restaurant. “We found our stride this winter,” Bates says. Another boutique eatery in the area is Culinaria, which has been in the neighborhood for 10 years but only as a dine-in restaurant the last two. Like Bon Bon, it also is a family endeavor. It began as a catering and events business, but as owners Regan Lehman Pillar and Aaron Pillar traveled, they discovered different recipes and foods they wanted to bring to their community. “It’s difficult catering year-round,” Lehman Pillar says. “The business was moving in different directions from a culinary standpoint, and we found it difficult to take the catering business on that journey. We were looking to shore up business, and the restaurant has become its own entity. It’s taken over the catering side as our main business.” “As we get busier, we find ourselves drawn to more nor46

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mal restaurant dining,” Lehman Pillar says. Like all other service and food industries, the Bateses and Bon Bon, and the Pillars with Culinaria were hit hard this spring by the coronavirus pandemic. The restaurants closed for a time but, like other eateries throughout the country, found survival through online take-out orders, curbside service and patio dining before gradually opening with new public spacing restrictions as imposed by the state.

Going -ToIt BeWasThisAlways BuildingWhen Matt Williams made the decision to push forward with his dream of creating and owning his own brewery, there was only one building he considered as a possible location. He drove past the old Barteldes Seed Co. building in East Lawrence almost daily as part of his route on a former job. And each day, he gazed at the majestic,

Dalton Paley out font of the Art Emergency building surrounded by sculptures created by his father George. The wishing bench of east Lawrence

120-year-old brick building and imagined the possibilities. “I was a regional manager of the top-100 breweries in the Midwest region and performed market visits,” Williams says. “I visited a lot of breweries to see what works. My favorite breweries were always those in the middle of neighborhoods. You could just sit back and watch the neighborhood roll in. When you think about it, all the big breweries started as neighborhood breweries. “It was always going to be this building, even without all the Warehouse Arts development,” he explains. The development of the Warehouse Arts District only further enhanced the building and location for Williams. Today, the Lawrence Beer Company, which will celebrate its three-year anniversary this summer, stands as a focal point of the district. The sheer size of the place makes it the most visible among local gathering spots. 47

Top Left: Jennifer Burkhead by Jeff Burkhead, Cider Gallery outdoors by Melissa and Beth Photography, Cider Galler at night by Adam Johnson

for community events. Williams and his partners made sure the brewery also offered a food menu to increase accessibility to families. A spacious patio on the south side and garage doors that can open during nice weather further add to the welcoming community atmosphere.

“We love it here; it’s perfect for the kind of business we want to have,” Williams says. “There’s kind of an honest, sincere vibe about East Lawrence.” As Williams was going about the process of designing Lawrence Beer Company, he says he always kept the native characteristics of the neighborhood—the vibe of the place—in mind. Nowhere is that more evident than in the huge anniversary party the brewery hosts every August. Pennsylvania Street is closed between Eighth and Ninth streets, local food vendors and food trucks are invited in, and at least one big-name band—The Mighty Mighty Bosstones headlined a couple years—is brought in, making for a street festival atmosphere. “The idea is to make it a tradition,” Williams says, “something people in the neighborhood can be proud of. The whole part of this business was to be a neighborhood gathering spot. I want to make people in the neighborhood feel that this is theirs.” The vast space inside the main dining room and bar area of Lawrence Beer Company makes it a favorable location 48

Business has been so good, Lawrence Beer Company added a second location last October in West Lawrence, off Bob Billings Parkway and Wakarusa Drive. Williams says one of the most pleasurable experiences with the original brewery in East Lawrence has been the relationships he’s forged with the other restaurant and entertainment establishments in the neighborhood. Foremost among those relationships is the Cider Gallery, without a doubt the most versatile of entertainment/events businesses in the Warehouse Arts District. The cavernous main floor can serve as a space for weddings and receptions. It hosts fund-raisers. There’s a steady flow of arts exhibits and performances by local artists, highlighted by large events and shows on the city’s Final Fridays (it was the original Final Fridays spot in East Lawrence). It also hosts occasional music events, such as a recent “Sinatra Party” to celebrate the birthday of the late entertainer Frank Sinatra. Jennifer Burkhead, director of the Cider Gallery, also recruits food trucks for the annual Kansas Food Truck Festival, held each May. This year, due to COVID-19 concerns, the festival has been rescheduled to September 13, 2020 (additional information about the event and scheduling

can be found at www.ksfoodtruckfest.com). Last year, the festival quickly sold out the 4,300 available tickets and drew more than 5,000 (children younger than 12 get in free), raising $60,000 to $70,000 for Lawrence food pantries. “That was Tony’s vision,” she says. “It’s a great group of neighbors. It’s a great neighborhood for people working together. Everyone gets along great.” Like Lawrence Beer Company, which houses 13 apartments above its commercial space, the Cider Gallery has coworking office space on its second floor. Other businesses have also thrived in the row of old structures that line Pennsylvania Street. Businesses such as Hoke Ley Architecture & Design, which moved into a coworking space that was an old poultry processing warehouse on Pennsylvania three years ago, has ridden the Warehouse Arts District wave ever since. “When Lawrence Beer Company and Bon Bon opened, you saw the area explode having more people there,” principal/owner Katie Hoke says. “What you can’t put a price tag on are the chance connections you make. I’ve met a number of new clients, professional acquaintances, mentors whom I’ve learned a lot from.” Hoke Ley employs six and, in addition to commercial and residential architecture and design services, also is a contractor and developer of porchlight homes. “It’s just a very cool neighborhood,” Hoke says. “It’s a more diverse neighborhood and great mix of high-end and more modest homes.”

Java Central The development of the Warehouse Arts District also has spurred development of small business in surrounding areas, including two popular spots known for brewing and dispensing coffee. Decade took root six years ago in a nondescript white building at the southeast corner of Ninth and Delaware streets. At the time, the Cider Gallery was about the only other business in the area. It started as a small coffee shop but over time has “built on things that were right at the time, not everything at once,” explains manager Cody Haynes. In addition to coffee, Decade serves herbal and traditional teas, wine by the glass, beer and, in fact, has a full bar with featured cocktails. It also serves what the menu refers to as “sustenance”—sandwiches, salads, burritos, rice bowls, etc. 49

above: Truck Festival by Ginger Lobb Photography bottom by Guerilla fanfare

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There is space for larger business meetings, and a spacious patio doubles capacity. “A characteristic of East Lawrence is that it’s always been where the unusual and artsy-type people are,” Haynes says. “But we have a lot of students come in. It’s a mix. It’s an interesting dynamic between morning people and evening people.”

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Sharing Decade’s patio is Jungle House, a tropical houseplant store that was opened in November 2018 by Rachel and Jhami Guffey to fill a personal need. “I became addicted to tropical houseplants three years ago, and Lawrence did not have a place,” says Rachel Guffey, who uses the plants to help her with “winter depression.” “I was having to drive to Kansas City all the time to feed that addiction. My husband has a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and I’ve worked a long time in small business, so it wasn’t that stressful.” The Guffeys utilize Jungle House as a community gathering spot, hosting a variety of workshops and other events for the public. They even keep two chairs

Matt Williams stands in front of the Lawrence Beer Company at 826 Pennsylvania St. which once was the Kansas Seed House - Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History

in the back of the shop for patrons to come in and relax with a book. “When we started, I thought we’d just be open a couple days a week, and I’d work here part-time,” Rachel says. “Today, we’re open seven days, and I have a staff of eight.” Repetition Coffee launched a couple blocks west of Pennsylvania Street, at Ninth and New Jersey streets, in November 2015 and injected an instant dose of hipness to the district with its creation and sales of roasted coffee designed from concoctions owner Amy Pope tasted on her worldwide travels. The business employs four in the modest, two-room building that includes a roasting room and lab. While Repetition Coffee is strictly a wholesale provider, Pope says she’s been opening up her work space to the public more and more. Right now, she invites the public to come sample her latest creations 51

Rachel Guffey sits outside her Jungle House store

every third Friday of the month, calling it the “Little Coffee Shop.” “It’s been a big hit,” she says. “We’re going to make it once a week.” As Pope puts it, the growth of the Warehouse Arts District has also fueled the desire for a more open atmosphere for the company. “I think it’s increased visibility,” she says. “As people walk down to Lawrence Beer Company or Bon Bon, they smell the roasting and pop in.”

Amy Pope and Siena Vance preparing to roast beans at Repetition Coffee

Pope also has enjoyed the communal aspect of the area. When Repetition Coffee moved in, it gave 5 to 10 pounds of coffee to Decade coffee shop to use for a “throwdown,” when baristas come in and compete for the best latte art. It has also hosted local schoolchildren for coffee classes, and elementary students in the area painted a mural on a side of Repetition’s building. “There’s a real sense of neighborliness,” Pope says. “We hold each other up.”

Good for the Old Guard Of course, there were successful companies in the Warehouse Arts District area long before Krsnich first envisioned turning an old building into lofts. It seems as though they, too, have enjoyed the resurgent growth of business in what had long been regarded as an industrial zone. 52

Katie Hoke inside the offices of Hoke-Ley Architecture & Design

Marty Kennedy of Kennedy Glass stands with his dog where the 1951 flood washed out the road across from where Kennedy Glass is today.. High water around the Santa Fe station in 1951. Person in row boat at left. Douglas County Historical Society, Watkins Museum of History

Kennedy Glass has been in business nearly 70 years and has been at 730 New Jersey St. for 42. And the growth has been especially good to former owner Marty Kennedy. His company was called upon to provide the glass on the remodel of both the Poehler Lofts and Cider Gallery. Then, a little more than a year ago, Krsnich purchased the Kennedy Glass property.

TRANSFORMING IDEAS INTO COMMERCE

“All the development has been great for the neighborhood,” says Kennedy, who continues to work and keep the business going until he retires. And the business that employs the most people—190—in the area is Allen Press, which moved there in 1985 and provides author-to-reader services for scholarly publishers and associates to print, both physical and online. It also offers some marketing, graphic design and associate management services. “We’ve enjoyed hosting events at the Cider Gallery,” says Maria Preston-Cargill, senior vice president, marketing and client services, with Allen Press. “It’s been a very nice addition. And I think it’s fair to say Allen Press has enjoyed having a coffee shop (Decade) just steps away from our door.

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“The character of the entire area just makes our environment nicer,” she adds. Kennedy, in fact, has lived across the street from Kennedy Glass for longer than the business has been there. So there perhaps is no better arbiter of the progress of the Warehouse Arts District, from both the perspective of business owner and resident. “It’s great to take nice, peaceful walks in the neighborhood,” he says. “It’s busy during the day, quiet during the evenings. And it’s pretty safe, too. “It’s been a very busy time for the community, but a lot of good businesses have gone in there,” he continues. “I think visitors have enjoyed our eclectic neighborhood.” More to the point, the success of the Warehouse Arts District further proves the point that folks like Tate, Paley and Burkhead have held all along: Art can be a strong economic driver for a community. Tate says she’s heard from 54

For more information about what the businesses are doing to safely reopen as well as changing schedules check out their websites: Allen Press www.allenpress.com Bon Bon! www.lawrencebeerco.com Cider Gallery www.cidergallery.com Culinaria Mediterranean Kitchen www.culinariafoodandwine.com Decade www.decadelawrence.com Hoke Le www.hoke-ley.com Jungle House www.junglehousegoods.com Kennedy Glass www.kennedyglass.com KS Food Truck Festival www.ksfoodtruckfest.com Lawrence Beer Co. www.lawrencebeerco.com Repetition Coffee www.repetitioncoffee.com

Maria Preston-Cargill Senior VP Allen press

many business owners downtown who say their businesses have been helped because of the proximity to the Lawrence Arts Center, which is at 940 New Hampshire St. “There is a lot of intangible value to art,” she says. “The Lawrence Arts Center raises $200,000 a year for art classes for young people. That changes lives. You can go back to the 14th century when artists attracted well-to-do patrons in a community. Art attracts people to move to Kansas from major urban centers around the world, people like doctors who are looking for culture in a community. “We need to keep the mixture alive where artists can continue to live there affordably, and the area would remain as vibrant as it is today,” Tate says.p

Cory Johnston in front of Fields & Ivy Brewery

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Infill development surges on the east side despite strict city codes and a lack of incentives for smaller projects. by Emily Mulligan, photos by Steven Hertzog

In the past decade, infill development has taken off like wildfire in eastern Lawrence. Vacant lots and formerly empty, crumbling buildings have been replaced by bright new structures and creative remodels, both in commercial areas like the Warehouse Arts District and in residential areas such as the Brook Creek Neighborhood. The East 23rd Street corridor has redeveloped with a variety of businesses revamping older structures and filling in empty spots. Almost 100 new residences have been built on vacant lots or knockdown properties north of 23rd Street in eastern Lawrence since 2010, with more slated or already under construction. Countless businesses—established and new—have relocated to, remodeled and expanded east of Massachusetts Street in the same time frame. All of this infill development has taken place in spite of what many developers say is a lack of incentives for smaller-scale projects and rigid city codes that are both dated and antidensity. Indeed, according to the City of 56

Lawrence 2019 Annual Economic Development Report, all of the Neighborhood Revitalization Areas in eastern Lawrence that received tax rebates in 2019 were large housing multiplexes or commercial offices. Also in the 2019 report, the city’s Property Tax Abatements for both its “Catalyst” and “non-Catalyst” programs were given to companies and organizations that have annual revenue in the multiple millions of dollars. The Brook Creek Neighborhood was publicly divided in 2019 as residents and the City Neighborhood Association debated whether to diverge from the neighborhood’s previously zoned lot size to allow for additional housing to be built on vacant land and portions of oversized lots that were smaller than the city’s RS-7-zoned, 7,000-squarefoot lots. Those spaces could provide what Tenants to Homeowners (TTH) executive director Rebecca Buford calls “bonus density” in the area and allow for more new affordable homes to be constructed. The rezoning was defeated after the brouhaha, but affordable housing and

WINE CLUB Memberships for you & as GiftS infill development proponents say the conversations likely will continue in order to find more opportunities for housing in desirable existing neighborhood locations. Two Lawrence small businesses and one unique partnership are leading by example for smaller-scale developments with three different high-profile infill development projects in eastern Lawrence. One has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic but has plans to bounce back, and the other two may find they are more necessary than ever because of the pandemic’s emergency and the hit to the local and national economy.

Sprucing Up Anderson Rentals had been located at 1312 W. Sixth St. for about 40 years until the company relocated to the former Knights of Columbus hall, at 2206 E. 23rd St., in late spring. Anderson Anderson says the company sold its Sixth Street building and land in 2016, and had been leasing it back until she and her brother, Bill, could find a suitable location with room to grow. “We needed highway access and to be near residential areas. Sixth Street is full of student traffic, but on East 23rd Street, virtually everyone is going to or coming from work,” she explains.

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Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rental business already was expanding. Now, Anderson says, the business is even more poised to serve in its role as emergency response. They are looking at acquiring more decontamination equipment and trucks, and the new location has plenty of parking space and storage for that and more. The Knights of Columbus building sat empty for about five years before Anderson Rentals moved there. The site also came with a large parking lot and clear, flat surrounding land, which is ideal for storing oversized equipment and outdoor implements, as well as providing loading and parking space for customers. The building itself needed some adapting, but for the most part, its footprint has remained the same. “The bones of the building were very good. We are doing a lot of accessibility stuff and converting it to a

Connect with Matty D & get a Custom Quote 785-917-1999 WWW.MATTYDMEDIA.COM 57

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We can build new housing while preserving the quality and character of adjacent residential districts and ensuring infill development strengthens the surrounding neighborhood... neighborhood.

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– Gavin Newsom

retail space, also putting in overhead doors,” Anderson says. The timing of the move and the pandemic coincided in some challenging ways in terms of acquiring permits from the city and clearing the SBA (Small Business Administration) loan, and Anderson made several different contingency plans, which thankfully they didn’t have to use. Arriving to the location when demand for its services is at a high point helps make up for that. In fact, Anderson plans to hire at least three new people in 2020. Anderson says she doesn’t see demand decreasing for the nonemergency side of the business, and the new location may even lure new customers who need tools for yard work and home improvements. The event business was down for the spring but will hopefully pick back up in summer and beyond. “I have the best job. Everybody in the community comes in when they are building something, celebrating something or fixing something. It’s all about doing something,” she says. Although there won’t be as much dancing in the building as there used to be, the former Knights of Columbus hall looks to be bustling in a new way.

Rebecca Buford, Landon Harness and Jeremi Lewis, TTH, Inc.’s General Contractor, look over plans for the Beatnick Court project at 19th and Bullene St.

Reinventing Fields & Ivy Brewery, 706 E. 23rd St., turned a dilapidated lumberyard in eastern Lawrence into a restaurant with an on-site full brewery and outdoor beer garden. It opened for business in May 2019. Owner Cory Johnston says the search for the best location spanned multiple counties over several years, and even then, equipment delays and other challenges forced changes to the eventual business model. As he and his partners scouted locales, he was open to rehabbing or redeveloping an existing site in order to infill and be in an established location. “We always knew we wanted to be a packaging brewery, so we needed a good amount of square footage at a reasonable price. That was why we looked in Douglas County but not on Mass. Street,” Johnston says. “East 23rd Street met those criteria, with 25,000 cars per day. Plus, it’s a sweet retail location, so we decided to do a full kitchen and restaurant instead of just food trucks, as we’d originally planned.” When the price dropped on the former lumberyard, Johnston knew he had the location he wanted, he explains. And having remodeled homes in the past, he had the vision to see past the land’s and building’s 59

The Beatnik Court Concept Rendering. Courtesy of Hoke Ley, Architecture and Design

rundown conditions to visualize what it could become. “It was a dump, no question about it. It had been vacant about eight years or so, and there was a homeless gentleman living in what is now the beer garden. Sabatini Architects helped with the vision, but it was a year of planning and me mowing the lot with my own mower before we started construction,” Johnston says. Construction called for clearing some interior walls to create the taproom and for building drains and framing for the brewing production facility. Fortunately, he says, the former lumberyard awnings made for an ideal beer garden, with protection from rain and wind; so those original structures remain. As if there hadn’t been enough challenges just to build and open Fields & Ivy, the business has lost about 80 percent of revenue this spring, despite having had curbside pickup service for both food and packaged beer during the COVID-19 epidemic. Johnston says he looks forward to the day the beer garden is packed with people again. Although he is happy with Fields & Ivy’s ultimate location and facilities, he says he hopes the city will consider doing more to encourage businesses of his scale to infill develop. “We had no tax relief or incentives, and we would have appreciated that. If the city wants 23rd Street to develop, they’re going to have to incentivize it. Small-business infill needs that, especially because infill doesn’t have to be industrial,” Johnston says. 60

Growing From the Ground Up This spring, the Beatnik Court residential development in eastern Lawrence has broken ground—both literally and metaphorically. The development, near 19th and Bullene streets, comprises a cul-de-sac with 13 homes in a unique partnership between nonprofit Tenants to Homeowners and local home-remodeling and construction company Form & Function. Seven of the homes will be affordable housing through TTH, selling in the $125,000 to $150,000 range for two- to three-bedroom houses. The other six will list for around $275,000, built by Form & Function. All homes are being designed by the same architect for a cohesive feel, says Buford, of Tenants to Homeowners. The name of the development, Beatnik Court, is a nod to late Lawrence resident and poet William S. Burroughs.

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The land previously had a few houses that were in a state of disrepair. Landon Harness, owner of Form & Function, and his business partners purchased the land and worked with the city to make sure the zoning remained residential (it had been slated to change to commercial zoning in the city’s future planning). Those homes were knocked down to clear the land. The most notable thing about the development is that TTH and Form & Function took the rezoning a rather drastic step further by establishing the lots as smaller than the city zones residential lots: 3,000 square feet instead of 5,000 square feet. By having the lots—and hence the homes—smaller, they can be priced more affordably. Infill development has become a specialty of TTH, as it has built more than 40 affordable homes in eastern Lawrence in the past decade, many of which are in the

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Brook Creek neighborhood. Buford says TTH’s clients who purchase the homes are working people who have rented for years, and their salaries as baristas or social workers don’t allow them to accrue enough money for a down payment to purchase a home. Living in eastern Lawrence, because of infill construction, allows them either to be near downtown or to commute easily to Johnson County for work. “The Beatnik Court location is great because of the access to the Burroughs Creek Trail for transportation or recreation,” she says. “I always ask, ‘What amenities are there for the neighborhood?’ They’re built in here: They can bike to work on the trail.” Buford explains that in order for there to be more affordable housing and successful infill developments, nonprofits and for-profit businesses will need to continue to find ways to work together. She hopes that she and Harness are leading by example with Beatnik Court. “I like infill development, because if we make cities more dense, we’ll see more vibrant districts and neighborhoods. Mixed-income development is good for everybody—it’s good for the people working their way up and good for the market value people,” Harness says. From the for-profit side, he says many city processes and codes work against developers doing smaller infill residential projects. The zoning change for Beatnik Court’s smaller residential lots took six months and cost $30,000 to get approved, he adds. “I hope the city gets caught up on all of this, because it took a lot of effort. [City of Lawrence] Planning and Zoning need more flexibility on their end to interpret the rules— they are hamstrung by how the code is written. There are no variances from that for density,” he says. The cul-de-sac and city services on the site have been underway since March and are led by Tim Keller, of RC Investment North. The lots are slated to close at the end of June, which was pushed back from the original close date in April because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Home construction will begin and likely proceed slower than planned because of possibly running into wintry weather with the timing change. Buford hopes to have all the TTH homes built by the end of 2021. Form & Function looks to be on a similar time line. Both Buford and Harness emphasize that infill development and residential areas such as Beatnik Court benefit all of Lawrence, not just their immediate vicinities. “If Lawrence wants to remain affordable, we have to get the most bang for our buck on land that’s inside the city limits,” Harness says. p 63

Beaten Path

Off the

Blink and you might miss the diversified industrial district thriving off of Bullene Street. by Bob Luder, photos by Steven Hertzog

On the surface, it’s a nondescript, even confusing, area of East Lawrence.

Traveling east on 19th Street just before hitting Haskell Avenue, it’s a good idea to maintain a northward gaze if the goal is to find Bullene Avenue. If the address in question is Moodie Road, best keep your glance to the south or right. It’s just one of those cartographic quirks of the area—one road, two separate identities split by a typically busy 19th Street. It would be a stretch to say the row of mostly white, industrial-looking buildings that line Bullene/Moodie add a whole lot to the district’s character. But that’s where it might be worth a closer look. If it’s heating and air-conditioning equipment you’re looking for, you’re in the right

The Free State Brewery

place; there are no fewer than three notable companies that have made their bones here for years. If there’s a need for civil engineering, one of Lawrence’s top firms calls Moodie Road home. A cooperative from Ottawa operates the old south grain elevators, which sit along what once was a prominent city railway but today has been converted to a public jogging/walking/cycling trail. Small engine repair? Bullene has you covered there, as well. And let’s not forget that some of the city’s tastiest suds are manufactured at the Free State Brewing Co.’s bottling facility, just next door to the north of the grain elevator. Put it all together, and it makes for one of the most vibrant and diversified industrial districts in the city. “When we started looking (for space for the bottling facility), the building wasn’t available,” says Chuck Magerl, owner of Free State Brewing, of the facility’s location at 1927 Moodie Rd. “But we were lucky it became available.

The area has good truck access, good loading dock facilities. “There’s really a lot of traffic on 19th Street. A lot of people use it as access to skirt around Lawrence, to head to Kansas City on K-10 or wherever. I enjoy telling people we’re right next to the south grain elevator. It’s an industrial area that’s really suited us well. It’s turned out to be a very good spot for us.”

Growing From the Inside As an East Lawrence resident for 45 years, Magerl has been an up-close witness to a lot of transitions in businesses and streetscapes. He loves recalling stories and businesses from the old neighborhood: an old used-furniture store, a couple of Laundromats, a sale barn, cannery, popcorn company, even an old fur and trapping business. He’s proud to point out that some recycled wood used in building the original Free State Brewery, at 636 Massachusetts St., and in rebuilding his garage at home were remnants of the cypress vats that were part of the vinegar works in the East Lawrence location that now houses the Cider Gallery. He says a majority of the 12 employees at the Free State bottling facility live in East Lawrence and bike or walk to work. “The building has some unusual configurations mostly due to the railroad being adjacent to the back,” Magerl says. “We have good-size production there. Thirty barrels can be brewed at a time, double what we do at the downtown location. And the tanks have greater capacity.” In fact, there are 21 stainless steel tanks of various sizes and functions inside the building, including fermentation vessels, lagering or storage tanks,

water storage and attemperation tanks. Conveyor lines run three to four days a week, transporting a variety of beers to one of the company’s two wholesalers (Standard Beverage, in Kansas, Major Brands, in Missouri). A vast array of aromas, from malt to hops to the unique aromatics of fermentation, permeate the space at all times. There are sounds of conveyors, the hum of pumps, the honking of forklifts, air compressors kicking on—an array of the sonics of production. “It’s not a palace,” he says. “It’s a beer workshop.” Despite finding the right building, the road to bottling Free State beer was a bumpy one. In the fall of 2008, just days before the planned start of operations, a fire gutted the building, delaying production five months, until March 2009 (the downtown brew pub opened in February 1989). Since that rough start, the company has rebounded nicely. Last year, more than 3.1 million bottles of beer were produced in a combination of kegs, bottles and cans. “It’s worked out well for us over the years,” Magerl says. “We have the scale here to be successful.” 66

‘

The whole world is one neighborhood... neighborhood.

’

– Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Free State Brewery

Heating, Cooling and More It says a lot about the Bullene/Moodie business strip that several businesses compete directly with each other yet get along very well. It helps that each of the businesses are well established and have deep roots in the area. Scott Temperature Equipment is a thirdgeneration heating and air-conditioning service and repair business that’s been at its 1815 Bullene location about 50 years. Dunco Heating & Cooling primarily is a residential HVAC replacement business that’s been at 1729 Bullene since 1987. Ferguson Plumbing, at 1801 Bullene, is a branch of a national company, Ferguson Enterprises, and mostly services plumbing needs in new and remodeled homes, apartments and hotels, but also works in heating and cooling systems. Wayne Duncan, owner of Dunco Heating & Cooling, explains the companies get along so well, if one has temporarily run out of a supply, they’ll actually borrow from one another. “It’s a good relationship; everyone gets along,” Duncan says. “Lawrence has a large enough population that we don’t have to get nasty. We all keep an eye out for each other.” Roger Scott, owner of Scott Temperature Equipment, calls Dunco a “friendly competitor.” His father started 67

Wayne and Diane Duncan owners of Dunco Heating and Cooling Anthony, a Dunco technician finishes a service call in Lawrence

the business 75 years ago and bought the property on Bullene a half-century ago. Today, Roger’s oldest daughter, Sarah Jane, serves as the company’s president and supervises the 14 employees that service heating and air-conditioning systems, refrigeration, ground-sourcing pumps and duct work. “We’re pretty locked in as far as space here,” Scott says. “But this area is pretty stable. We like it here.” Five employees operate out of Ferguson Plumbing, but it works with service contractors in installing plumbing and heating and cooling systems. It also distributes all materials and goods. “Home centers often refer to us for expertise,” says Kurt Kuenning, branch manager. “We have a lot of information and resources. We can cater to anyone. We’re happy to help anyone we can.” Kuenning adds that being so close to 23rd Street means easy access for trucks shipping in and out of the location. “We have a decent amount of customers close to our branch,” he says. Dunco will actually be moving away from Bullene Avenue next year. Space has become an issue, and Duncan says the company and its 22 employees have outgrown its current facilities. 68

“This location has served us well,” he says. “But we’re in the process of building a new facility at 1920 Delaware. This location has easy access. It’s close to the highway. We can get everything we need here. “We’ve just kind of outgrown the area,” he continues. “The idea is to keep growing, and we should have plenty of area to grow (at the new location).” Duncan says the company’s current 5,000 square feet of workspace will grow to a little more than 14,000 square feet with the new facility.

A Functional Location CFS Engineers arrived in Lawrence, originally at 13th and Oregon streets, but moved to its current location at 2121 Moodie Rd. as 2014 rolled over into 2015. The company is a full-service civil engineering design firm. In addition to design, CFS also contains a geo-tech department that performs soil surveys for new construction sites and projects, and makes design recommendation reports. It also performs testing on steel and welding.

Above: Ferguson Plumbing

Below: The Scotts of Scott Temperature

Good for the Little Guy Design projects for public and private clients include street, storm, waterline, parking lots, grading and bridges. The company started in 1961 in Topeka but now has locations in Kansas City, Missouri, Kansas City, Kansas, Jefferson City, Missouri, and Springfield, Missouri. “I’ve seen where the reestablishment of business has grown (in East Lawrence),” says Aaron Gaspers, associate with CFS Engineers. “You can see that with things like the Venture Park project. “We like the function of our building here. It has the ability to have an office setting, and then we have a lab downstairs,” he explains. “It’s a good fit for what we provide and a good-size building for five of us.”

While the Bullene/Moodie corridor serves as home to large and well-established businesses, it also is a place that welcomes the one-man shop. Andrew Wilson, a 20-plus-year firefighter by trade, started Wilson Small Engine Repair out of a garage off Learnard Avenue several years ago but moved his operation to Bullene five years ago. “It’s a little off the beaten path,” Wilson says. “Price definitely came into play. Rent on the west side (of town) costs an arm and a leg. I’m close to where I started. It was an easy move.” Wilson says he’s been working on small engines as long as he can remember … at Deems Farm Equipment, in the machine shop at the old Alvamar Country Club. In high school, he won proficiency 69

Andrew Wilson owner of Wilson Small Engine Repair

ratings in agricultural mechanics from the Lawrence High School branch of Future Farmers of America and earned a scholarship to an area technical school, but that’s when he decided to become a firefighter. “About nine years ago, I got heavy into rebuilding and refurbishing equipment,” he says. “I built the business from there. I started with handheld equipment, but it’s grown from there.” Wilson performs repair and maintenance on anything from trimmers to chainsaws, some compact utility tractors, pressure washers and log splitters. He’s also a dealer of merchandise for RedMax, EFCO, Makita and Encore. As the business grows, Wilson says he’s been drawing more customers from across the city. “If the business starts to grow as I hope, I’ll probably have to look for more space,” he says. “But I’d like to stay in the same area. I like it here, and thus far, it’s been good for business.” p

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Kate White joins CEK Insurance CEK Insurance, Lawrence’s oldest independent insurance agency, is proud to announce that Kate White has joined the team. Kate grew up in Topeka, KS, and received her bachelor degree from Baker University on a soccer scholarship. After graduating she attended graduate school in Montreux, Switzerland where she lived and worked for two years.

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A former banker of 8 years, she has expertise in a broad range of insurance lines and how they ﬁt in your overall ﬁnancial plan. Kate is very active in the Lawrence community, serving on the Lawrence Schools Foundation Board, Leadership Lawrence Advisory Board, and is the Treasurer for Lawrence Board of Realtors Community Foundation. Kate strongly believes in the Rotary International motto, Service Above Self. For fun Kate can be seen as a guest bartender at The Sandbar or volunteering about town.

& PEOPLE ON THE MOVE Sunflower Bank Announces Retirement of Lawrence Banker Glynn Sheridan Sunflower Bank announces the retirement of longtime Lawrence banker Glynn Sheridan, regional bank director, after18 years with the bank. Sheridan will retire from the company on June 1, 2020 after assisting in the transition of his responsibilities. During his tenure, he held leadership roles in several markets, successfully growing the bank organically and through de novo operations. Sheridan has worked in the finance and the banking community for more than 30 years, beginning his career at The First National Bank of Lawrence (nka US Bank) in 1986. He joined Sunflower Bank in 2002 to establish its presence in Lawrence. “We want to thank Glynn Sheridan for his countless contributions to the bank and our customers as he prepares for his upcoming retirement,” stated Mollie Carter, chairman of Sunflower Bank, N.A. The bank has also announced that Eric Comeau, regional president for Metro Kansas, is now transitioning to lead the bank in Lawrence. “I look forward to working with the great personal and business banking teams we have in Lawrence and building relationships with our customers and the community,” said Comeau. Comeau has nearly 30 years of commercial banking experience and joined the bank in 2015 becoming Metro Kansas regional president in January 2016. In this role, he is responsible for the strategy, management and growth of the bank the region. The Metro Kansas region has thrived under Eric’s leadership and now includes Lawrence, Leawood, Overland Park, KS, as well as Briarcliff (Kansas City) and Leeton, MO.

Just Food Receives Solar Donation to be Installed by Good Energy Solutions Good Energy Solutions is pleased to share the story of an anonymous gift that was donated to Just Food, a Douglas County non-profit. The anonymous donors, two Lawrence citizens who wanted to do something positive for the local community, liked the idea of reducing Just Food’s operating costs while decreasing the carbon footprint of the electrical energy that is supplied to their building. “We received a phone call after the announcement of our Solar Giveaway winner, Sunrise Project, appeared in the Lawrence Journal World. The donors were inspired by the story and wanted to donate a system themselves, to an additional non-profit organization,” said Kevin Good, Owner of Good Energy Solutions. “The donors chose Just Food to receive the array to help reduce their utility costs and lower their fossil fuel demands, effectively reducing their impact to global warming.” The 11.5kW Solar Array will help Just Food reduce their electrical consumption by more than 1,200 kilowatt hours per month on average; enough energy to supply about 20% of their energy needs. “We are so grateful for these anonymous donors who are contributing such an incredibly generous gift to support Just Food’s environmental and financial sustainability through solar energy. Our operations require us to use a lot of energy to run our coolers and freezers and this makes a significant impact on our energy usage” said, Elizabeth Keever, Executive Director of Just Food. “It was a great surprise that our original gift of the Solar Giveaway program would lead to the ripple effect of this generous donation,” said Shana Good. “Just Food is an amazing organization that has really stepped up during the Pandemic, as always. We are honored to be able to support their efforts by reducing their energy costs and in awe of the generosity of the donors. This gift will keep on giving for decades into the future and enable Just Food to reduce their operating costs by many thousands of dollars and reduce the need to burn thousands of pounds of coal every year.” 81

WHOSE DESK ? Be the first to correctly guess which local business figure works behind this desk. Winner receives a $50 gift card to 23rd Street Brewery. facebook.com/lawrencebusinessmagazine

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