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City Manager Mike Wildgen works in his office at City Hall in this fall 1996 file photo. City commissioners asked Wildgen to resign Wednesday, citing concerns about inadequate planning for growth. He has served as city manager for 16 years. His last day will be Friday, and David Corliss, an assistant city manager, will serve as interim city manager.

Journal-World File Photo

The city got the keys to the historic Murphy-Bromelsick home in Hobbs Park on Monday. Many presevationists hope the house will become a focal point for tourists looking to learn more about Lawrence's role in sparking the Civil War. Touring the house Monday, from left, are Mark Kaplan, who saved the house and restored it to its current condition; Fred DeVictor, Lawrence Parks and Recreation director; John Gress, LP&R construction supervisor; Mike Wildgen, city manager; and Mark Hecker, LP&R superintendant.

Photo by Mike Yoder

City Manager Mike Wildgen operates a riding mower at Memorial Park Cemetery. City Hall took possession of the cemetery Wednesday morning, after a Douglas County judge signed an order dissolving the rights of the much-criticized previous owner. City crews got right to work, trimming dead trees and cutting grass in the cemetery, where relatives have complained about shoddy maintenance.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Wayne Andrews, of the city's traffic department, and Mike Wildgen, city manager, this morning survey Seventh Street about a block east of Massachusetts Street, where a water line broke. Businesses in the area were without water for a few hours this morning.

Photo by Richard Gwin/Journal World-Photo

Mike Wildgen, city manager, talks to a member of the media during a regular briefing at City Hall.

Photo by Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo

From left, Elizabeth Torres, Roger Coffey, Mike Wildgen and Victor Torres perform during the city of Lawrence employee picnic. The group made an ad hoc air band. The picnic was Aug. 16 in Buford M. Watson Jr. Park.

Photo by Photo courtesy of R. Scott Wagner

Attorneys representing the city of Lawrence from left, Randy Larkin and Gerald Cooley, along with City Manager Mike Wildgen and Assistant City Manager David Corliss, listen during a court hearing regarding land use at Sixth Street and Wakarusa Drive. The hearing Tuesday in Douglas County District Court was postponed when owners of the property asked for more time to study motions submitted by the city.

Photo by Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo

Westar Energy line clearance manager Michael Horniman, left, talks with Steven Watts, who lives at 1649 Edgehill Road. Watts invited the utility officials, along with City Manager Mike Wildgen, background center, to his home to discuss what he considers an inappropriate job of tree pruning by Westar workers.

Photo by Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo

Officials with the Lawrence school district, city of Lawrence and Douglas County are talking about whether the city and county can pick up some of the services being cut in Lawrence schools. Supt. Randy Weseman, left, laid out the district's financial problems Wednesday to city and county commissioners and school board members. Listening, from Weseman's left, are County Administrator Craig Weinaug, City Commissioners Jim Henry and Marty Kennedy, County Commissioner Bob Johnson and City Manager Mike Wildgen.

Photo by Richard Gwin /Journal-World Photo

Last month Lawrence city commissioners gave City Manager Mike Wildgen, above, six months to make City Hall more user friendly.

Assistant City Manager David Corliss, left, City Manager Mike Wildgen, center, and Marty Moore, a partner in 9-10 LC, review blueprints for a new parking garage in the 900 block of New Hampshire Street. The garage, expected to open within 60 days, is part of the Downtown 2000 redevelopment project, which includes a new Lawrence Arts Center and a variety of residential and commercial spaces. Moore is working to add a hotel to the project.

Photo by Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo

While construction of a parking garage is under way in the 900 block of New Hampshire, a monument marking a site in Lawrence's Quantrill's raid massacre has been safely relocated to City Manager Mike Wildgen's office.

Photo by Melissa Lacey/Journal-World Photo

City Manager Mike Wildgen, left, and Linda Finger, planning director, talk to school board members and other city personnel during a joint meeting of the Douglas County Commission, Lawrence school board and Lawrence City Commission. The meeting took place Wednesday at the district's Service Center, 110 McDonald Drive.

Photo by Richard Gwin/Journal-World Photo

Members of the citys Administrative Review Committee met Wednesday to consider a request from API Foils to continue a tax abatement granted for a foils-stamping plant in the East Hills Business Park. From left are Debi Moore, director of economic development for the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce; Jim Turner, finance director for API Foils North American operations; and City Manager Mike Wildgen.

Photo by Earl Richardson/J-W Photo

From left, Adrian Jones, Mike Wildgen, Karin Rexroad, Lisa Hughes, Michael Hughes and Jen Gray-O'Conner serve the lunch meal for the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen. They helped serve about 130 meals Aug. 30 in the basement of First Christian Church, 210 W. 10th St.

Photo by Photo courtesy of Scott Wagner