May 2009

April - Gardner, Kansas

On tax day 2009, the Pillars visited Gardner, Kansas to learn about ex-urban development. We began with lunch at The Dolphin Song, a sole-proprietorship boutique located in the heart of downtown. Linda Meisinger opened her shop to us and along with mayoral candidate Larry Fotovich spoke to us about Take Back Gardner.

After lunch, we walked to Gardner City Hall to meet with Mayor Carol Lehman, Development Director Fred Sherman and president of Allen Development of Kansas Bill Crandall. These folks spoke to us about the BNSF Intermodal and the Logistics Park that would serve it.

These two visits created some of the liveliest discussion that Pillars has had. Development is a polarizing topic.

After our meeting at City Hall, we visited the Gardner Historical Museum. Laura McCarthy was gracious to open the museum on her day off and let us take a tour. Laura spoke about Gardner's beginnings, its booms at the beginning of the 20th century and Naval Air Station that came to town in the 1940's.

We took interest in some of the artifacts: an autographed photo of Bob Barker who was stationed in Gardner and a book from the K-State Extension Office on how to properly iron a shirt.

We rounded out the day at Wally's Bar where we discussed the events of the day and listened to Bel Biv Devoe.

PROJECT RESTART - SCAVENGER HUNT

Pillars met on a breezy April morning to conduct a scavenger hunt with kids from Project ReStart.
We helped kids pick out architectural elements from buildings around downtown.After the hunt, we viewed a slideshow of Kansas City photos from the early 20th Century.

Columbus Park

Walking Columbus Park on a cold December day, one can’t help but notice traces everywhere. Traces of a once vibrant Italian American community. Traces of their continued legacy of prideful fellowship and service. Traces of the influx of Vietnamese American residents. Traces of looming big budget developers knocking on the door. Even traces of the snow that fell a few days prior. Traces that suggest that this was, is, and will likely always be a community defined by transition.

GB

Afternoon in Ivanhoe

My first extended period of time spent in Ivanhoe after 2.5 + years of living in Kansas City [ no excuse offered ] was both rewarding and eye opening. Statistics shared about housing and graduation rates absolutely floored me. Causing even more pause were personal stories shared by Chris Jehle. [ A kid was really murdered in that driveway, right there, because of a argument over a lawn mower? ]

A common theme from our guests seemed to be “ownership” or the ability to get people to “buy in” to what you are doing or trying to accomplish – listening and responding to your stakeholders. Margarget May made it clear that previous and continued success of the INC’s efforts was this feeling of prideful ownership and active involvement.

After, reflecting on the work of people like Chris Jehle, Margaret May, Airick Leonard West, and many others (often volunteers) in that community and communities around the metro, one can’t help but question the importance or relevance of the work we do. “Is this reviewing this submittal really that important?” Maybe. Maybe not. I’ll offer up it can’t touch what people are doing in Ivanhoe or Oak Park, or the Northeast every day.

Perhaps the real challenge is to find ways to make what we do every day half as important or impactful on some level as the work of our January guests.

GB

IVANHOE

First, I have to thank Brad for his post. I was happy to see that my message about posting to the blog came across LOUD AND CLEAR and exactly as I had intended it--and with a very flattering photo to boot. Kudos to Brad.

Visiting the Ivanhoe neighborhood was very eye opening. I am impressed by Chris Jehle, Margaret May, and Airick West for the work they are doing in the neighborhood. Some of the social issues seem insurmountable. There are also a lot of economic issues that drive what types of business can survive in the area. Architectually, there is a lot of opportunity in the area.

Chris Jehle talked about trying to gain community involvement to start to effectuate change. To me, an even more basic and fundamental component of society that is lacking in the area is family structure. I don't think communities can be strong unless there is a foundation of family structure. I thought it was interesting how he explained some of the dynamics that affect neighborhood. Grocery stores in the neighborhood face a lot of challenges.

In my opinion, Airick's "Be One" campaing is heading in the right direction. With the lack of family structure, getting adults involved in each young person's life and providing multiple possitive role models is really key. I think it is great that the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Council is working to clean up the nieghbor and rehab housing. I am very impressed by the efforts of all those people working and fighting to turn this neighborhood around.

January - Hope Center / Ivanhoe

BRAD MARKS - PILLARS 0809