From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Feb. 4, 1988:

Douglas County officials were frustrated over their parking problems. At a recent meeting to review their 1988 priorities, county commissioners were told by District Judge James Paddock to do whatever was necessary to relieve congestion in the parking lot south of the judicial center. Calling the situation “woefully inadequate,” Paddock pointed out that cars often parked three abreast in the narrow aisles, completely blocking access for emergency vehicles. He added that drivers were parking their vehicles at curbs and in fire lanes when regular spaces had filled up. Paddock warned the commission that the situation could only worsen if the state ordered an additional court division in the county, a move that seemed likely. Commissioners discussed the situation but could only agree that they weren’t sure what to do about it, as the money was not available to pay for additional parking spaces. There was also opposition to parking-lot growth in the community. The county owned three residential lots east of the judicial building, originally purchased or donated for parking, but the East Lawrence Improvement Association strongly opposed the plan.