Anyone that can see or hear can tell that Old Leawood is a neighborhood experincing teardowns.
Things like dumpsters, dump trucks, cement mixers and johhny on the spots temporarily cluttering up our views. The beep, beep, beep of bulldozers at 7:00am (on the dot!) wake us and remind us that this isn't just some bad dream. It is real. And on most days it is real annoying.
According to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Leawood, Mission Hills, Prairie Village and Roeland Park are all on the map for being neighborhoods experiencing teardowns. I would typically love seeing "Leawood" in print and especially being known for something nationally. But being on this list, in my opinion, isn't a good thing.
I often hear people say about teardowns in Old Leawood that "it has happened in Mission Hills, Fairway, Prairie Village blah blah blah....." Oh, by all means then let's jump on the the same trend??! And because other neighborhoods have gone before us, does that some how make it right??!
Those that care about this neighborhood can see where I'm coming from. For those that are in it because their financial well being depends on it see it from a different point of view. Like them or not, ranch houses are a part of American history. The fact that people just tear them down to make way for a south JOCO house is ridiculous. Build with character, don't overbuild, and please don't take away all of the green space and trees that this neighborhood is known for.
There has to be some happy medium out there. A balance of some sort. But what is it? Your comments are welcome.
1 comment:
While on the surface this all seems well-intentioned and good, in reality it is quite silly. Yes, please do not build an Olathe-style cookie cutter in Leawood. But who is doing that?? All the new homes replacing the old ones are, for the most part, really really nice. Also, what is the alternative to some of these old, worn-out ranch homes being torn down and rebuilt? Would a vacant, rotting, overgrown home be preferred to a nice, new home? I can think of several lots around my neighborhood that would be FAR better served if the deteriorating structures were demolished and replaced. After going through a major remodel myself (but hey, be proud I preserved my ranch!), I can tell you that the current rules and regulations with the homeowners association and building codes in Leawood leave little room for anyone to swoop in and implement an unorthodox construction plan.
As far as these trees being torn down in the rebuilding process, this is news to me. Part of the huge appeal for rebuilding in Old Leawood is the opportunity to have nice, big trees. I watch many teardowns around our neighborhood and seldom recall any beautiful trees being compromised in the process. I suppose it must happen if a certain tree placement makes construction too difficult, but this is an exception and not the rule. It is impossible to find a neighborhood where huge trees don't line the steets.
You say you are looking for a balance. The balance is this: those homes where the market dictates they would be better to tear down and rebuild, so be it. The percentage of homes being torn down is tiny compared to the existing homes that that are not being torn down. Old Leawood is in NO danger of its pristine neighborhoods being compromised. So put up with the annoying bulldozers here and there because in the end it's better for everyone.
Post a Comment