A priority list from the City Commission said that the major items on the agenda for the time being should be downtown development, historical preservation, simplification of zoning ordinances, development of a corporate research park and encouragement to attract new industries and expand existing businesses and industries. Observers said these had been on the list for some time and that action would be welcomed to bring some of them to reality.

A North Lawrence developer seeking city approval of a site plan for a small shopping center on North Second Street protested the city forester’s recommendation that he add more trees to his proposal. The developer was Rob Phillips and the forester was George Osborne. At issue was the Riverfront Square.