From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for June 6, 1972:

About 60 people gathered at today’s groundbreaking ceremonies on Massachusetts Street for the $833,962.60 downtown improvement project. As the first scoop of asphalt was lifted in the air, a few souvenir-hunters chose pieces from the old brick street revealed by the mechanical digger. Peter Whitenight, chairman of the Downtown Lawrence Association, spoke briefly at the groundbreaking, saying, “It’s going to be a great boost and make a tremendous difference.” He admitted that there would be some inconveniences during the project, but that downtown merchants and shoppers would “surely overcome these and have a great deal of fun doing so.” One lane for walking traffic on the sidewalks was to remain usable throughout the project, and Lawrence residents were encouraged to come downtown and watch the progress of the construction. Most people interviewed on Mass Street at the ceremony were enthusiastic about the beautification project, which was to add sawtooth parking, landscaping, and over 200 trees to the street.