To the editor:

The financial debacle of 2008 slowed architecture, building and historic preservation in Lawrence. TIF’s and tax incentives became more common in the years following the wounded economy. Kansas historic preservation was also wounded by the removal of the historic environs as a component of preservation requirements in our state.

Now a proposed project next to the historic 1872 Lucy Hobbs Taylor home at 809 Vermont arises.

Kansas University architecture professor Dan Rockhill designed a very wonderful project along the west side of the 1500 block of Kentucky, adding two very nice jewel-like buildings in brick next to the historic residence there. Something with this kind of approach, placing a group of jewel-like buildings right next to one of the treasures of downtown Lawrence is in order for the vacant lot and former community garden on Vermont Street, not, as proposed, a five-story behemoth.

Smaller projects that pay their own way certainly make more sense today. A project based upon a property-line-to-property-line full floor of office space seems far too speculative to place next to a noteworthy landmark.