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The following statement by Lynn Bretz, director of University Relations, is in response to today's letter to the university from the Lawrence
Preservation Alliance and the Oread Neighborhood Association:
"We welcome the apparent decision by the Lawrence Preservation Alliance and the Oread Neighborhood Association to accept Gov. Graves' approval of the planned demolition of the Ohio Street properties and their call for attention to the larger development issues that affect our community. This is a positive step for all of us.
"As we have said before, we intend to work cooperatively with the Oread neighborhood as we develop plans for new scholarship halls on the site of the existing dilapidated houses. We are confident that the new structures will complement and enhance the neighborhood.
"Further, we intend to continue working with the city of Lawrence on those issues that involve both the university and the surrounding community. We want to be good neighbors in Lawrence and we are committed to enhancing our existing positive relationship.
"We will complete planning for demolition and will develop a timeline for it in the near future. We intend to make the project as brief and unobtrusive as possible. We will seek community input to ensure that the interim setting for the block, after demolition and before construction, is as pleasing as possible."
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