To the editor:

As a long time East Lawrence resident, I would like people to know there are many residents here who are unhappy with the prospect of our neighborhood turning into an entertainment destination for the Arts Center and the City of Lawrence. While I can appreciate the concept of an arts district, this is not about art but more about future development and the gentrification of our neighborhood. There are developers chomping at the bit to buy up everything they can.

At the unbelievable number of meetings that we have attended, we hear over and over that “they” only want to make Ninth St. a great place for neighbors to meet, interact and enjoy art. Let me tell you, our neighborhood is already great, full of art, and there are many events for neighbors and others to meet and greet. Let me name just a few: St. Luke AME Church, a variety of community events at New York School, kickball in Hobbs Park, the Farmer’s Market, our annual neighborhood block party and my front porch. I could go on.

I love my neighborhood. Yes, we would love better streets and sidewalks. Who wouldn’t? However, the onslaught of traffic, large music events, bars and restaurants is very offsetting to many of us who are older, who have small children or who have an occasional backyard chicken that escapes.

What a wonderful downtown and amazing Arts Center we have. So let’s keep all that great entertainment downtown and out of our mostly residential working-class neighborhood.