25 years ago: Taxes delinquent on Eldridge Hotel

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 21, 1987:

  • A delinquent tax notice published this week listed $15,700 of 1986 property taxes owed for the Eldridge Hotel’s two lots at the southwest corner of Seventh and Massachusetts streets. Eldridge developer Rob Phillips said that he had been under the impression that an agreement with the city had eliminated property taxes for 10 years and that he was required to pay about $26,000 a year over the next decade in lieu of property taxes. He said that he thought his first payment would be due in December. However, County Appraiser Don Gorden said that the state Board of Tax Appeals had ruled that Phillips was responsible for one-third of the hotel’s estimated $3 million market value.
  • The “semi-retirement” of Bill Mayer, executive editor of the Journal-World since 1969, was causing a reshuffling of editors at the newspaper. Ann Gardner, who had been serving as Sunday editor, was to become the editorial page editor, while reporter Caroline Trowbridge was to become Sunday editor. Mayer was to continue as a member of the staff on a part-time basis, writing occasional sports columns, feature stories, and editorials. The Journal-World’s news staff of 30 reporters, editors, and photographers was at that time directed by managing editor Robert Nordyke and news editor Allen Torrey.