LAHARPE — A house is much like a person, Harry Lee Jr. noted Monday.
“They both start out young and vibrant, but as they get older, they both eventually are in need of repair,” he said.
And with too many old houses in LaHarpe falling into various stages of disrepair, the need for new homes is growing more urgent by the day.
In the last six months, Lee counted at least five homes that have been demolished — four by design; a fifth due to fire — with nothing to replace them.
The housing needs became a focal point of Monday’s Community Conversation, hosted by Thrive Allen County.
Thrive representatives Dr. Brian Wolfe and Damaris Kunkler and Barbara Chalker Anderson, representing the Kansas Department of Commerce, spoke on a variety of issues regarding LaHarpe.
Housing is at the top of the list.
While LaHarpe has taken steps to improve its infrastructure — electric, sewer and water systems are in good shape, but roads remain an issue — housing needs threaten to stymie potential growth.
The story is not unique to LaHarpe, Anderson said.
“I’ve heard this countless times in other communities,” she said.
Anderson spoke about potential funding venues for new housing construction available from Community Development Block Grants.
MONDAY’S conversation also touched on the LaHarpe PRIDE Committee’s ongoing efforts to improve LaHarpe City Park.
Lee spoke about the city’s need for a master plan regarding its park amenities, which also are dwindling. Aging playground equipment has long since been removed, leaving nothing in its place.
While new playground equipment likely is pricier than anything PRIDE or the city can afford, Thrive members suggested contacting area school districts that have built new complexes, leaving old playground equipment unused.
Perhaps it can be purchased at a discount and relocated to LaHarpe, Wolfe suggested.
