No one said it would be easy to breathe new life into Lawrence’s historic Turnhalle, but it’s good to know local preservationists and at least one potential investor haven’t given up.

When the Lawrence Preservation Alliance stepped in two years ago to save the former home of the Turnverein German-American social organization, they didn’t really know what the future held for the building. What they did know was that allowing the structure built, in 1869 at Ninth and Rhode Island streets, to deteriorate beyond repair could be a huge loss for Lawrence.

Fortunately, Tony Krsnich, the developer behind the Warehouse Arts District in East Lawrence, agreed and committed in July to buy the building if a suitable use for it could be found. The deadline for finding such a use has ended, but Krsnich hasn’t given up.

The developer reported recently that he’s heard lots of ideas for the building, including returning the basement to its original use as a beer garden and old-style bowling alley. Other good ideas, Krsnich said, include a restaurant or event space. It also might be used as a professional office or as home to a nonprofit agency. He even has offered to help a nonprofit obtain tax credits to make a project work financially.

That may be no small task, especially for a nonprofit. Krsnich estimates the Turnhalle will need about $1 million in repairs and renovation to function as a commercial space, but he isn’t giving up. He points to pending development of a new arts corridor along Ninth Street that will bring new traffic and vitality to the area and also is extending his search for a Turnhalle tenant to Kansas City companies that might be interested in the space. Another public forum to solicit ideas for the building is expected to be scheduled soon.

Hopefully, some creative ideas will emerge. The Turnhalle is an important historic structure deserving not only of preservation but also of a second life in a new and vital community role.