Talk about your expensive art.
City commissioners may soon be asked to spend upward of $185,000 to ensure a downtown mural painted by area youths doesn't become lost to new development.
Tim Holtzclaw, a teacher at Century School, said he was concerned a mural that approximately 70 students from the private school is painting on a building at 825 Vt. will be lost because a vacant lot next to the project may be developed with a building that will cover the painting.
"We have been working for months on this, and it would just be a shame if all their work ended up being covered up," Holtzclaw said.
But Holtzclaw said city commissioners may be able to help. The teacher said he has plans to propose to city officials that the vacant property be bought and turned into a city pocket park. That would allow the mural to remain in plain view and also give downtown visitors a new place to relax, similar to the pocket park next to Watkins Community History Museum. Holtzclaw said the site could be used for a nice fountain, plaza or even as a new home for the Lawrence Farmers Market.
The commercially-zoned lot is up for sale but carries an asking price of $185,000.
City commissioners may soon be asked to spend upward of $185,000 to buy a lot to ensure that a downtown mural painted by Century School students doesn't become lost to new development. The mural is located in the 800 block of Vermont Street.
"It would be expensive," Holtzclaw said. "It is more than our parents (school patrons) could raise."
Garth Terlizzi, who controls the limited liability company that owns the property, said he's not too interested in the property becoming a park. He thinks it has a much brighter future as a condominium or office project.
"I think the city probably has better uses for its money than to build a pocket park there," said Terlizzi, who said he wouldn't offer any discount on the sale price to accommodate a park project. "Parks are nice, but we have a huge park (Watson Park) a block west of there."
City officials also said the park idea wasn't on their radar screen. City Manager Mike Wildgen said he hadn't been approached about the idea. He said staff members weren't in a position to endorse the idea.
"In all the plans we have, it certainly is not a place that we have ever contemplated putting a park," Wildgen said.
Leaders with Century School - which serves about 75 students between 3 and 12 years old - said they also weren't formally endorsing the idea.
"Obviously, we would love it if that were park or greenspace because it would serve us well," Jon Stutler, Century's principal said of the lot, which is across the alley from the school at 816 Ky. "But at the same time, when we decided to have Tim work on this mural, we understood that a building could be built there at any point."
The mural, which was designed by the students, is not yet complete. Students stopped working on the project earlier this month after it was determined they did not have the permission of Terlizzi to set up scaffolding on his property.
Terlizzi said he asked the group to stop work on the project because he feared he would be liable if any students were injured while on his property. He said he has sent a letter to the school saying that the project could resume if they would produce documents releasing him from all liability.
Holtzclaw said he hoped to reach an agreement with Terlizzi but said work on the project remained halted. He said he also still must receive a permit from city code officials, which he believes is forthcoming.
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lawrencechick (anonymous) says…
It amazes me that someone would even have the nerve to ask for $180,000 for this! That's the real shame of this story.
kansaskev61 (anonymous) says…
That's what happens when you paint a mural on a building next to a vacant lot. This is now a perfect example of poor planning. Mr. Holtzclaw should use this as a lesson in his class on how NOT to plan a project. Since the school is a "Private" school. Just repaint the mural on school property, that way there will be no obsticles like vacant lots in the way and the little darlings can paint away and save the city the ridiculous sum of $180,000.00. It's always so easy to come up with "solutions" to your problems Mr. Holtzclaw when it's someone elses money your using. Is this private shool a "Progressive" school promoting a "Socialist" and or "liberal" agenda. It sure sounds like it Mr. Holtzclaw! Do Boog's kids go there?
Carmenilla (anonymous) says…
My 9 yr old child goes there and she is, by far and away, already more intelligent than you, kansaskev61.
They are progressive in that they don't teach children to strive for mediocrity. Public school is actively dumbing down our children. We chose Century because kids can learn at their own pace. If thats "liberal" than so be it. Maybe you could stand to have a little re-education, kk61!
Claire (anonymous) says…
I'm amazed that a story in the LJW gets published with "students" for the subject with "is" for the verb.
I think the reporter needs to go back to elementary school!
kansaskev61 (anonymous) says…
Thanks for your response Carmenilla. You answered my question. It's a liberal school. You go for the name calling. Your darling 9 year old probably is more intelligent than I am. But there's something to be said for "Common Sense" which it sounds like neither you, your child nor Mr. Holtzclaw posess.
Carmenilla (anonymous) says…
You expect me to be civil? Look at your comment that precedes mine. Sounds like someone can't take a taste of their own medicine....
Not that I'm surprised!
kansaskev61 (anonymous) says…
We sound like the 2004 Presidential debates. Kerry lost so I'm done!
andisue (anonymous) says…
Will city commissioners provide money for this? Probably not. And you may say that it is stupid for Mr. Holtzclaw to ask them to do that. But if you have seen how much time and effort the kids have put into this, and how much they are invested in it, and if you know and care about these kids like Mr. Holtzclaw does, you have to try and do something about it, even if it seems stupid or hopeless to others.
andisue (anonymous) says…
Also, a word about planning... How long has this lot been empty? I'm asking because I don't know. But it has been for as long as I've lived here, since 1997.
Carmenilla (anonymous) says…
I agree that asking for the taxpayer's money is not realistic. But this lot has been empty forever (well, the last 20? years) or at least since I was a kid. He's just trying to do exactly that....give the kids some hope!
CenturyKids (anonymous) says…
Hello everyone! We are the kids at Century School, and we want to say that we have worked extremely hard on this project, and that we are proud of "Mr." Holtzclaw (even though we just call him Tim). He has done something that many ordinary teacher's wouldnt've thought about doing: painting a mural. We would like to say a big thank you to Tim (Mr. Holtzclaw) and Carmenilla (her daughter is here with us) :)
And to the people of Lawrence, we would appreciate your support in this process, and so would Tim.
Thanks!
-dpc, tjt, smm, pmc, & klm
We love Century!
smitty (anonymous) says…
Kids, you think the tax payers should buy a piece of property to protect the mistake in judgement your teacher made in selecting that location? A tax payer doesn't want to pay because you and your teachers feelings are hurt.
Ask your teacher if you can do another one but in a location meant to meet with your expectations of the project.
I"ll support your art but not the expensive process. If you do decide to do another one, post it here and I'll donate to the project.