Leavenworth holds an important place in Kansas history. It played a key role in the early settlement of the West, a major part in the Bloody Kansas era prior to the Civil War and prisons there have housed many of our nation’s most notorious criminals.

But, this gem overlooking the Missouri River in the far northeast corner of our state has something else. It has a vibrant downtown shopping district.

This area is at the core of the old Leavenworth. It is filled with ornate historic buildings, neat shops and unique eateries.

But, this hasn’t always been the case.

Live many communities, it’s downtown suffered as businesses migrated to the peripheral commercial developments that rise along major highways. Longtime stores moved to strip malls leaving vacant store fronts.

In this vacuum, the heart of the city deteriorated. Shops were replaced with bars.

However, that has changed. There is a renaissance underway as this once grand downtown reinvents itself.

One shop keeper said there had been campaigns to turn things around, but none seemed to work. The current resurgence happened organically.

Why is this relevant?

It can make us look inward. It can make us look at what we are doing locally.

There have been multiple efforts to plant new businesses in downtown Great Bend. Some of these efforts stuck and some didn’t, and some of the businesses survived and others struggled.

And, here at home, there have been successful businesses started downtown by independent entrepreneurs.

The bottom line is that we have to ask ourselves is what we want in a business district? We also have to ask ourselves if our building codes, city ordinances and tax burdens are conducive to small, retail growth.   

Have we created an atmosphere that throws up too many obstacles to such development? 

Granted, Leavenworth benefits from its size, location and the income from those stationed at Fort Leavenworth. But, there are downsides to being near Kansas City and a home to a military installation as well.

Maybe its time we reexamine our approach to our downtown and look at ways we can make it easier for folks to make a business work. After all, this will only give us more local shopping options and, in turn, make us more of a shopping destination.

Dale Hogg