Introduction

I am going to explore Elizabeth St. and the surrounding area right off University of Kentucky’s campus. Many social events are held at houses along this street, from tailgates to parties. I, personally, have been to multiple tailgates and parties this year that were all held in this same area. I know that this place has the stereotype of “party street” or “party central.” I want to find out what is being done to change that stereotype? What good and bad results from parties being held in a centralized area? What town gown conflicts surround this area? There are multiple perspectives to be explored. I can research the point of view from residents who live there and throw the social events, residents who live there and don’t, the home owners who rent to the college students there, a neutral outsider, a Lexington resident, and a University of Kentucky policeman. These perspectives can be researched through interviews, newspaper articles (such as the Kentucky Colonel and Lexington Herald Leader), crime reports, and my own personal experiences. My concern for research through newspapers is that the articles will not be specific as to what street. My worry about interviewing residents who throw the parties is that they might be nervous about responding truthfully and self-incriminating themselves. My goal for this project is to see how town gown conflicts create tension in a college town. I also hope to see the transition of how older generations, campus officials, and police view college students partying because it seems they no longer deem it to be ok.