The first tornado-resistant Earthship — an off-grid, self-sustaining home built with recycled material — is landing in Douglas County.
Julie Walker was eyeing the political climate and wondering how to secure her future when she decided it was time to build a home using aluminum cans, old tires and a whole lot of concrete. It’s under construction about 4 miles west of the edge of Lawrence.
“I’m retired. There’s no guarantee I’m going to have Social Security,” she said. “You know, I have a pension, but … when you’re on fixed income, you don’t have a lot of options.”
Walker spent the last 46 years working as a professional stage manager in Chicago, although she grew up in Newton, Kansas, and attended Wichita State University. When her husband died eight years ago, she started thinking about moving closer to her brother, who lives around Lawrence…