From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for June 13, 1986:

• Officials of the Lawrence National Bank had signed a letter of commitment to buy $2 million in industrial revenue bonds to finance a $3 million renovation of the Eldridge Hotel. Renovation work was to start July 1 and be completed by the end of the year, according to developer Rob Phillips. About 35 private investors were supplying the remaining funds for the project. Long-range plans called for a 9,000-foot retail building on the south side of the hotel and a “pocket park” with benches and two waterfalls in front of the retail building. Phillips had purchased the old Mayflower building at the southwest corner of Sixth and Massachusetts for use as a two-level parking garage. Nancy Longhurst, wife of City Commissioner and project investor David Longhurst, had been hired as general manager for the Eldridge.
• The Malls Shopping Center at 23rd and Louisiana was to be the location for a preview of the 10th Annual Sunflower Benefit Horse Show. Area horse owners planned to demonstrate and answer questions about the characteristics and abilities of various horse breeds while also selling tickets to the upcoming horse show. The show, to be held in the 4-H Fairgrounds, was a benefit for the O’Connell Youth Ranch.