Deteriorating sidewalks and heavy truck traffic along Lightburne Street were among the top concerns voiced by residents of the Jewell Historic District at a charrette Oct. 24.

Nearly 40 people attended the three-hour session at Second Baptist Church to brainstorm about what they considered the district’s top priorities, identified problems and mulled possible solutions.

The district is bounded by William Jewell College on the east, Doniphan Street on the north, Lightburne Street on the west and Mill Street on the south.

In compiling the demographics of the neighborhood, consultant Lisa Briscoe said they used 2000 census data but did not include students attending the college.

“That would have skewed it,” she said.

According to Briscoe, the households in the district reflected an older population, predominately singles and married couples without children. Reflective of the city as a whole, the Jewell district is mostly white. Just over half, or 58 percent of the housing is owner occupied, 35 percent is rental and 7 percent is vacant, compared with 74 percent, 27 percent and 5 percent for the city, respectively.

Jonna Wensel, community development manager, said she was pleased with the turnout and response from the neighborhood.

“It went very smoothly. There wasn’t any bickering,” Wensel said. “They all seemed to be on the same page.”

The neighborhood assessment project was made possible by a $10,000 matching grant from the State Historic Preservation Office. The city provided $3,000 in funding plus in-kind staff support to make up the 40 percent match required. With the funds, the city hired Patti Banks Associates to facilitate the program.

Other concerns expressed by the group, included lack of neighborhood organization, drainage problems, aging infrastructure, code enforcement, maintenance of trees and alleys and a need for traffic calming.

The group also identified ways that the neighborhood could partner with other organizations and with the city to address problems. Resident Carolyn Hatcher said volunteers could help trim trees, pick up trash and control weeds along the rights-of-way to make the neighborhood look nicer.

“Volunteers could be trained to take some of the burden off overstressed city staff,” she said.

Threats seen to the neighborhood included the sluggish economy, lack of funds, busy lives, complacency and commercial encroachment into residential areas. Strengths included concerned, motivated neighbors who are educated and skilled and the close proximity of the college.

After turning over their written comments to consultants, the group will return in January to discuss a draft report, Wensel said. A final report should be completed by spring.

“One of the tools that will come out of this is a neighborhood handbook,” she said.

Eventually, Wensel said, the city would like to replicate the program in other older neighborhoods. The city has five historic districts.

Liberty Editor Angie Anaya Borgedalen can be reached at 781-4941 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .