Proponents of a “Bleeding Kansas” national heritage area are planning a community summit in late January to kick-start the process.

“I think it would clarify a number of issues about the area, what groups would play a role, what the geographical area would be,” said Lawrence City Commissioner David Dunfield, who has worked for the designation. “It would also, I hope, clarify the economic advantages of a designation.”

City and county commissioners will be asked next week to pay the $15,000 cost of the summit – one week after they were hit with bad budget news from the state.

“It really is a very small sum of money, considering the potential advantages,” Dunfield said.

Judy Billings, director of the Lawrence Convention and Visitors Bureau, will take the proposal to city commissioners Tuesday. She was not available for comment.

But a report created by consultants, representatives of the National Park Service and officials of other heritage areas said the summit should be attended by roughly 40 community leaders, including historians, elected officials and other “influential citizens.”

The summit will engage the community “with many grassroots and grass-tops leaders and organizations to help declare the national significance of Bleeding Kansas,” the consultants wrote.

Officials believe a federal designation of a national heritage area will draw federal dollars to help Lawrence and northeast Kansas preserve the area’s history in helping spark the Civil War – and promote that history to tourists.

Proponents hope a designation can be made by 2004, when Lawrence and the Kansas Territory will celebrate their 150th anniversaries.

¢ Panel recommends seeking help in attaining heritage designation (9-11092)¢ Lawrence’s early history

Twenty-three heritage areas are already in the national park system, although the land and management remains in private hands.

The summit would be broken into five parts over two days to identify the specifics of a heritage area as well as the economic opportunities.

The consultants’ report suggests “Bleeding Kansas” could move from the realm of historical term and become a marketable brand name.

“We’ve been informally testing ‘Bleeding Kansas’ on friends and colleagues,” the authors wrote. “It’s a winner!”

The county commission meets at 6:35 p.m. Monday at the Douglas County Courthouse, 11th and Massachusetts streets. The city commission will consider the request at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, Sixth and Massachusetts streets.