To the editor:

“All that glitters is not gold.”

This quotation from Mark Twain seems applicable to the current development proposed for the corner of Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive. While the idea of a “big box” might seem like a boon to the city’s tax base it may be more glitter than gold.

The thought of placing a Wal-Mart Super Store at the back door of Free State High School and at an intersection that carries neighborhood children to the Indoor Aquatic Center looks more like “fool’s gold” than the real thing. The store, if successful, will produce a significant increase in car traffic, commercial traffic bringing goods to the store, litter, dumpsters, brightly lit parking lots and serve as an anchor for the inevitable re-creation of the western version of our infamous 23rd Street.

Those responsible for the development will not deal with the impact the store and its progeny will have on the the area. Those of us in the adjacent neighborhoods must act to prevent this shortsighted proposal. Only by presenting a united front against this latest attempt to devalue the area will area residents be able to convince city officials to reject the proposal. Lawrence is more than congested streets leading to “lower prices.” Growth without consideration for the quality of life attached to it is surely a fool’s gold.

David Schauner,

Lawrence