To the editor:

Some downtown comments:

Weaver’s, way to go! Twice recently you have coated your sidewalk to cover up that minefield of discarded gum. Classy. Sidewalk gum downtown is a disgrace.

Good job, Anglers Seafood. By installing that relatively inexpensive netting at the bottom of your awnings, you’ve eliminated the mess caused by bird roosting.

Thank you, M&M Office Supply, for allowing downtown patrons to use your parking lot after hours.

Jeers to Allen Press. By far the most unsightly parcel on Mass. St. is the northeast corner of 11th and Mass. Picture yourself, like most people coming to downtown Lawrence for the first time, cruising up Mass. St., taking in the beauty of South Park, then the historic courthouse, and then you see — that? Come on, Allen Press, please display some civic pride and spend a few dollars and dress up those buildings and parking lots.

And jeers to the Doug Compton group for the continued desecration of the iconic Masonic Temple by leaving that boarding up for so long. Meant to be temporary, it was placed to discourage “inappropriate activity.” In practice, it actually provides screening for said activity, it attracts graffiti to itself and the rest of the building and is just shabby. With the current requests for development incentives, it gives the appearance that the group is deliberately blighting the property to leverage its position. Please, regardless of how the property is ultimately developed, do what it takes to quickly return that classy facade to downtown Lawrence.

Thanks to all who make going downtown an enjoyable experience.