From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for April 21, 1988:

Douglas County commissioners today announced their plans to deal with four vacant houses in the 1100 block of Rhode Island. The county-owned structures at 1108, 1112, 1114 and 1116 R.I. had been originally slated for moving or demolition by the county, which needed the area for an additional parking lot. However, East Lawrence residents had opposed this plan, saying that the parking lot would harm the residential character of the neighborhood, and the county had realized that the lots would not provide the number of parking slots needed. However, county wrecking crews were still scheduled to show up at the sites after 60 days. During that waiting period, each house would be available for sale (for one dollar) to anyone willing to move it safely, fill the empty basements and foundations, and cap all the utilities. “We’re going to have to set a date and that’s going to be it,” Commissioner Warren Rhodes said. “I don’t care what people do with them, as long as they’re gone by a certain date.” The county had become increasingly concerned with the houses in recent years, calling them a safety hazard for the neighborhood.