To the editor:

The rezoning of western Old West Lawrence from duplex to single-family involves a reassessment of the worth of a historic neighborhood. Of the resident owners, 91 percent wish to drop the duplex designation to preserve historic properties in the future. The duplex zoning was adopted in 1972 and is historically and currently incorrect.

Old West Lawrence’s yearlong rezoning project is about saving historic homes and grounds, approximately Arkansas through Alabama, Sixth to Ninth streets. It is not about many other issues, certainly not about the students who live in this neighborly place and will continue; nor about rentals or existing duplexes, which will continue. It is not about landlords or idealized American families or even the number of unrelated people who can live in a home: the number four can continue as long as any landlord wishes. All existing legal uses will be grandfathered, at the owner’s request, with no time limit. Proposed reflective zoning will bring the zoning into conformity with the predominant current usage 72 percent single-family.

We are reading, at the request of our community, Langston Hughes’ “Not Without Laughter.” Hughes spent many childhood years at 732 Ala., pictured recently in the Journal-World, but long ago razed to make room for a duplex. Hughes’ “big house on the corner” is probably Martha’s, or maybe Alex and Gerry’s. The home down the street might be Hobart and Minnie’s. Our diversity and history are precious and of economic importance to the city of Lawrence. We should stop dismantling a great neighborhood.

Historic preservation saves the mansion and the cottage, which share the blocks here. Households of modest means will find affordable homes here, as well as those seeking a grand historic beauty, close to the heart of Lawrence. This is a sought-after, densely built-up historic single-family neighborhood with no lots for sale. Continued demolition and infill chip away at the desirability of Old West to long-term residents and destroy the luxury of irreplaceable materials and craftsmanship. RS2 zoning provides economic incentive to preserve rather than to destroy.

Ann Goans,

Lawrence