Offering something for free can bring a variety of respondents out of the woodwork, as Greensburg’s Matt Deighton has discovered in recent weeks.
Deighton nailed a sign reading “free lot” on the vacant property he owns at 426 S Spruce the morning of May 22, after telling The Signal he would give the real estate to a young family serious about building a “green” house on the site. After fixing the sign to a straggly elm tree around 11 that Friday morning, he’d had three calls by mid-afternoon.
“All three were from locals who just wanted something free,” Deighton said. “One of them was a preacher from here in the county. The next day I got three more calls from local folks wanting to know how they could get more free lots. Once I told them about my conditions of it (the free lot) being for a young family, preferably with kids, willing to build a sustainable home they all said, ‘Oh…’ And that was pretty much it.”
Deighton then started posting signs announcing free real estate along US 54 in Greensburg as well as putting a notice on the Greensburg GreenTown web site. It was shortly thereafter that the more serious inquiries began.
The top possibility in Deighton’s mind is the interest shown in his offer by a young couple from Chicago looking to start a family in a small town setting such as Greensburg offers.
“He’s an architect and he’s interested in bringing his practice to Greensburg,” Deighton said. “They’re both fresh out of college and looking for an opportunity like this.”
Deighton has already talked to the young couple twice and understands they’re planning to visit Greensburg this weekend to “look the place over” and talk further with Deighton about his free land offer.
Three other interested parties Deighton mentioned include:
*A Hispanic family from Liberal wanting to build in Greensburg as a halfway point since the father works during the week in Wichita.
*The family of John Spainhour, currently living in Wichita. Spainhour’s owned the Twilight Theatre before selling it to the nonprofit that now runs it. John moved to Greensburg with his family in the seventh grade and graduated from Greensburg’s High School. With his four school-aged children Spainhour’s possible move back home is an attractive one for Deighton.
*A single mom with three kids wanting to “build a green home here to avoid the effect of a soon-to-be-completed casino” might have on her children.
While Deighton refers to the Chicago couple as the “most impressive call” he’s had thus far, he acknowledges that could change overnight. “You never know who might call tomorrow and really come across as a great addition to our town,” he said.
Deighton went on to say that promoting the quality of life to be found in Greensburg is “something that really needs to be promoted, whether it’s by the Lions Club, local churches or a task force of the City that goes around to various conventions.
“Selling Greensburg to a family is easy because we’ve got so much upside as a community and everyone knows about us because of what’s been in the press and on television. We just need to invite people to join us in the quality of life we know and enjoy here in Greensburg.”
Having traveled to speaking engagements in Maryland, Indiana, Missouri and Nebraska last fall Deighton has spent his fair share of time boarding flights. Traveling outside the state has impressed him with the nation’s awareness of not only what Greensburg has been through, but what it’s doing to come back as well.
“Wearing a Greensburg T-shirt in a large airport gets a conversation going easily with a total stranger,” Deighton said. “They’re usually in a hurry, but when they see what’s on my shirt they’ll stop a moment and yell, “Hey I’ve seen you guys on TV. You’re doing a great job out there. Keep it up.”
Not having given away free land before, how will Deighton know when he’s found the right family to award the lot?
“I’ve never done this kind of thing but I guess I’ll know it’s time when they bring a builder and have the property surveyed,” he said. “And I’m hoping that’s before too long so I can take down the signs.”
Greensburg, KS —
