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The Leavenworth City Commission has an interesting and controversial decision to make tonight.
No matter which way the commission goes, there’s going to be some disappointed folks.
The controversy is over a piece of property at Chestnut and 4th streets.
There’s a building there next to the United Methodist Church that has been around since 1933. It was originally Leavenworth High School and later was converted into East Middle School before the district closed and sold it.
The church, one of the largest in the community, bought the property with the intention of turning it into a parking lot so its patrons would have a place to park rather than the streets. The church has also toyed with the idea of putting up a new building along with the extra parking for some church and and community projects and charitable efforts.
The city’s Preservation Commission, however, is against the idea of demolishing the old school, saying far too many historical buildings have been lost in Leavenworth already. They have a good point.
The church, however, bought the building and would like to do what they want with it. It’s their property, afterall, and it’s not doing anybody any good as a decaying, vacant building. Also a good point.
The commission must decide whether to back their own preservation commission, or the many church-going, city taxpayers.
Both are important stakeholders in the community but we’re putting our money on the church.
It helps to have friends in high places.
The Leavenworth City Commission has an interesting and controversial decision to make tonight.
No matter which way the commission goes, there’s going to be some disappointed folks.
The controversy is over a piece of property at Chestnut and 4th streets.
There’s a building there next to the United Methodist Church that has been around since 1933. It was originally Leavenworth High School and later was converted into East Middle School before the district closed and sold it.
The church, one of the largest in the community, bought the property with the intention of turning it into a parking lot so its patrons would have a place to park rather than the streets. The church has also toyed with the idea of putting up a new building along with the extra parking for some church and and community projects and charitable efforts.
The city’s Preservation Commission, however, is against the idea of demolishing the old school, saying far too many historical buildings have been lost in Leavenworth already. They have a good point.
The church, however, bought the building and would like to do what they want with it. It’s their property, afterall, and it’s not doing anybody any good as a decaying, vacant building. Also a good point.
The commission must decide whether to back their own preservation commission, or the many church-going, city taxpayers.
Both are important stakeholders in the community but we’re putting our money on the church.
It helps to have friends in high places.
