For years, many have been quick to commend the strong and productive relationship between Lawrence and Kansas University and acknowledge how the “town-gown” tie is something to be greatly admired and appreciated. Many former KU chancellors have said this relationship in Lawrence is the finest they have seen on any campus.

There have been periodic glitches, of course, such as the recent concern about houses in the 1300 block of Ohio Street and fear that the city or county might be imposing troublesome regulations on KU activity. But despite those blips on the screen, the overall picture is good.

It is interesting to note how schools and towns can get caught up in turf wars and prestige issues. One such drama is currently playing out in Evanston, Ill., the home of Northwestern University. As money gets tighter, we may see more and more conflicts between cities and the tax-exempt schools located in these cities.

Northwestern has filed a civil suit against Evanston, accusing the Chicago suburb of extortion “and acting with vindictiveness.” After years of trying to get Northwestern to pay more for city services, the lawsuit alleges, Evanston retaliated by passing an ordinance in May 2000 that created a new historic district that includes dozens of university buildings. The district designation now will make it necessary for the university to seek approval from the city for even the most minute changes to the exterior of the properties.

Among structures termed historic are a dormitory built in 1973, a concrete gymnasium built in 1974, a university transportation center built in 1999, along with sports courts.

“If we want to replace a light fixture, we need to get the city’s permission,” says Alan Cubbage, vice president of university relations. “It’s ridiculous. These are not historic buildings.” The city denies targeting Northwestern, saying the district was created to protect some historic homes and that the school property happened to be within the boundaries. Northwestern is seeking to dissolve the “historic district.”

As we know in Lawrence, universities provide jobs and generate business revenue in their communities. They offer cultural and recreational activities that might otherwise not be available. But as nonprofit entities, they also remove significant chunks of land from the tax rolls. In better times, communities accepted that. But times have change.

Evanston officials say Northwestern annually uses tens of millions of dollars worth of public services but pays no property taxes and refuses to voluntarily pay for the upkeep of parks, roads, sewers and such. They wonder why a university that has raised $1.55 billion over the past seven years and now has a total endowment of $3.5 billion won’t pay more of the bills. (The latest Kansas University Endowment Association figure is around three-quarters of a billion dollars, less than a fourth of the Northwestern endowment.)

Northwestern counters that the $4.3 million a year the university pays to Evanston for utilities, taxes for parking and sporting events along with other fees is enough.

Not likely to endear the school to the city is a quote by Eugene S. Sunshine, senior vice president of business and finance at Northwestern: “Yes, the university has the capability to do more. But it’s not going to. … The university has needs as well.”

We can only hope this is not a reflection of a trend of growing town-gown animosity in a nation where cities, schools and states are so strapped for funding. The long-term KU-Lawrence relationship is something too precious to be allowed to fall prey to such squabbling.