April 1, 2006
Mike Wildgen
City Manager
City Hall
PO Box 708
Lawrence, KS 66044
RE: Purchase of Old Fire Station No. 2
Dear Mr. Wildgren and Lawrence City Commissioners,
This letter is to express my interest in the purchase of the fire station located at 1839 Massachusetts Street.
Although I have had a deep desire to purchase the property since moving here two years ago, I was only made aware today that there is a RFP to do so. In discussing this with members of your staff, they were not sure whether any deadlines would prohibit me from
submitting my intent. I am not aware if there was sufficient public awareness of the RFP considering there has only been one other interested party submit.
The intent to purchase is based on the hope that the property could be rezoned to residential in order to qualify for appropriate funding. It is also my understanding that the property is in need of a new roof and may in fact require additional repairs. That would not deter me from bidding on the property. This letter and the accompanying documents do serve as a formal request to purchase the property.
Therefore, please accept the following documents as my intent to purchase and restore the above-mentioned property. In addition I request City Staff inform me of any further developments/hearings/motions regarding this property so I would be able to respond.
Sincerely
Gregory Thomas. Professor
Chair/Department of Design
School of Fine Arts
University of Kansas
Proposal to the
Lawrence City Commission
City Hall
Lawrence, Kansas
66044
Submitted by
Gregory Thomas, Professor
Chair/Department of Design
1467 Jayhawk Blvd.
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
66405
Home:
4010 Mistletoe Ct.
Lawrence, KS
66047
Purchase and restoration of Old Fire Station No.2
Date submitted: April 1, 2006
Proposed Use:
The City RFP states the intent is to offer the building on a long-term use agreement as well as its sale or lease as it sees fit. The only other response to this RFP, indicated a desire to purchase the property. I also would wish to purchase it but would defer to the City if it were in their interest to maintain ownership and let the property out. I would make changes to the venue but not to the extent I would if I was able to purchase it. I would caution the City that this property is unique and one of a kind. Finding adequate occupancy that would not only maintain but also enhance the property could be problematic. If the City wishes to utilize the property for additional economic resources, it may open the use to commercial business that could be detrimental to the historic nature and the surrounding residential property.
My intent for use of the Old Fire Station is for either a mixed use – private residence and studio, or a complete single family residence. Since the station already provides living accommodations to the fire crew, convergence should not be a problem.
I am a designer who has come to Lawrence and the University of Kansas after nearly forty years in Los Angeles. I came because of the quality job I had been asked to administrate as well as the lure the City of Lawrence provided. In my many travels, I have seldom found a city that offers as much towards the character and quality of living.
My wife (a noted jewelry designer) and son (Marketing Director for the KU Union) have been looking for “the right” property to purchase for over two years. It is our desire to purchase a house of character due to our creative backgrounds. The focus has been centered on one of the many State streets west of Massachusetts. The Fire Station came to my attention actually prior to my appointment on the trip to KU for my interview.
The intent of use for the property would to develop the second floor living space but utilize the ground floor as a studio and exhibit. The space would not be a museum in the traditional sense and therefore need not to accommodate large crowds or parking concerns. Parts of the property may become accessible to the public at various times of the year. With my associates in The School of Architecture, professional design colleagues and myself it would become even a more significant Lawrence landmark
than it currently is.
I am a designer and the studio that would be located in the Station would house computers and technology as well as known furniture design and works of art. There would be no dangerous chemicals or solvents on the premises. The Station would become a showpiece of design, architecture and historical data, yet be able to accommodate my family and studio to do research, book writing and design practice. The research compiled could be on Lawrence firefighting efforts since the early days of the City. This would be one grant I would write to help subsidize the property.
I would also intend to utilize the services of Lawrence based architect Dan Sabatini as
an additional consultant to the restoration of the property. Mr. Sabatini was instrumental in the restoration/revitalization of the Eldridge hotel.
Business Plan:
As a widely known figure in Los Angeles urban planning and historical restoration, it would be my intent to restore the Station to as much of its original state as possible. Any architectural modifications would be carried out on the interior with as much respect to its original format as possible. I am a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation as well as the International Interior Design Association and the Society for Environmental Graphics. Prior to coming to KU I was the principal of a small but internationally know branding firm. In addition I was a faculty member at the University of Southern California where I was involved with the School of Architecture in the preservation of the Downtown Broadway Movie District. In additional I wrote and secured numerous grants, which funded many of the architectural/design projects involving restoration of Downtown LA. It is my intent to continue this activity to seek grants to develop historical data on Lawrence and specifically as to the station as it was in 1928. I believe this activity would subsidize a portion of the space for educational/ historical usage. Grant writing, my professional practice as well as my position at KU would fund the daily use of the property.
I am fully aware of the operating cost of the current Station but project that my usage would be more conservative than the present fire company. I would expect upkeep to be more than a conventional home considering the period it was built and its designated use as a commercial structure. I would expect the City to make improvements as deemed necessary as in any other commercial/residential transfer/sale (a new roof?).
I am currently prepared to offer a larger amount than the already submitted offer but also need to finance the property through a personal or commercial loan. Despite the fact that we are living in Lawrence, we still own and maintain our former residence in Los Angeles.
In the mid 1980’s, I converted a small two-bedroom house to a larger home with studio space. The final remodel was featured in Sunset magazine and has won numerous architectural design awards. Most importantly it has won praise from Los Angeles civic and architectural organizations for being design sensitive to the neighborhood in its design and footprint.
This property is a prototypical for Los Angeles real estate. Purchased in the early 1970’s and with extensive remodeling in the late 1908’s it has acquired significant equity. I would consider the Station as our second home and new business address. By new business I wish to define that as myself only unlike Los Angeles where I supported a number of employees.
Related Information:
Most importantly would be the zoning to allow for some residential dwelling. It is currently zoned as Emergency Medial (EM) in a C-2 zone. As mentioned, my request would be for the City to convert to a mixed-use code that would provide living/working format or is able to convert to strictly residential zoning. I must emphasize that unlike the offer currently in hand by the City, I do not intend to run a commercial business that would involves any service vehicles, storage of any substances of concern or any trade
that will impact any property adjacent to it. The intent is specifically for residence/studio
usage. There would be no further need to purchase additional property to meet my needs for parking or commercial applications.
In addition, it would be my intent to secure the property on the National Register of Historic Places. As a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (http://www.nationaltrust.org/) I am keenly aware of what is needed for the property to qualify and receive tax credit, grants as well as additional perks for buildings meeting the criteria. It should be known that in addition to my work at KU I am a internationally recognized authority on “destination branding” and am engaged in restoration and economic development of cities such as Astoria, Oregon, Durham, NC to name a few.
It is my understanding the property would accommodate a number of parking spaces, which would be more than necessary for my use. I would be willing to provide a space(s)
to the City at no charge for police/rescue parking on this part of Massachusetts.
In addition it would be my intent to develop some green space in the front of the property
to soften the cementscape that currently exists. Small indigenous trees and native grass plantings can do this. The Station would also be fitted with lighting to enhance the architectural features during the evening hours.
In closing I would like to advocate the City strongly consider the merits of the potential tenant or owner of this property. To run a commercial business out of this property could be detrimental to the building, the neighborhood as well as its historical status. It is because of this concern that I feel my intent for the building addresses it best – that is to
Occupy the building with the express purpose of the continuing the historical equity in the property as well as enhance it. You can put the most historically accurate doors you can find on the front of the building…but if you park commercial vehicles in front of it
What’s the point? This is a museum type property and my intent would be to treat it as such.
Sincerely
Gregory Thomas, Professor
Chair/Department of Design
University of Kansas