To the editor:

The front-page photo in the Oct. 15 Journal-World is a sad reminder of a two-year struggle which pitted the University of Kansas against city and neighbors. The loss of three historic homes cannot be justified, regardless of which side of the fence you choose to sit.

As a resident of the Oread Neighborhood, and past board member of ONA, I’ve witnessed first hand the controversy, the frustration, the disregard, and the emotional toll this entire unfortunate scenario created in its wake. I find the most disturbing part of it all was the university’s blatant disregard for their self-created (albeit elusive) “boundary” to prevent the undesirable sprawl into area neighborhoods. Unfortunately, what’s done is done, let’s move on.

I want to commend the city of Lawrence, with special regard to Dennis Enslinger, the members of the Historic Resources Commission, and City Manager Mike Wildgen for doing everything in their power to prevent this historic loss. Kudos to all supporters, who participated in the endless meetings and presentations to HRC and the Campus Historic Preservation Board. It should go without saying (but I have to say it!) how appreciative I am of the well-versed members of the Oread Neighborhood Assn., who spent countless hours researching the history of our neighborhood, enabling them to make professional and convincing statements at each meeting.

This experience should be a lesson well-learned. I truly hope that KU will honor their commitment to neighborhood involvement when it comes to future expansion decisions and that the city will create and enforce ordinances and guidelines to prevent such a disaster in the future.

Lenette Hamm,

Lawrence