From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for May 24, 1972:

Plans were going forward for a city plan to beautify the area south of the Kansas River bridge. The project had received approval from the Lawrence City Commission and a citizens’ advisory committee for the Neighborhood Development Program. However, two local land developers, Bob Moore and Rees Jackman, were critical of the plans, insisting that demolition of some structures in the 600 block of downtown was necessary. “Unless we have a lot of demolition in that area, it’s not going to become good-looking just because we put the trees up in front of it,” said Moore. Questions had also arisen regarding the continued presence of the Bowersock Mill in the area. Conversion of the mill silos into apartments had been seriously considered, but mill owner Jackman said that he had no immediate plans for the structures.