Local legislators said they were not optimistic about funding prospects by the 1985 legislature. “Things look tight-fisted and conservative to me, said Rep. Jessie Branson, D-Lawernce.

The city’s cost for widening Haskell Avenue from 23rd to 31st streets was to run about $100,000 more than originally estimated. The city’s share was to be $446,000 originally.

The city commission was considering establishing an Urban Renewal Authority to act as an “organizer” for downtown development. It was felt a single unit could do better in managing the issues that several agencies now involved.