photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

The Judicial and Law Enforcement Center south parking lot pictured Tuesday, January 7, 2025.

As the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center grows in downtown Lawrence, the parking lot next to it — one of the bigger lots in downtown — is expected to shrink by more than 65 spots by 2026.

That’s according to estimates from construction company J.E. Dunn, which will be building the $52.5 million expansion and renovation of the building. The project is expected to start this month, weather permitting, and it will directly affect the parking lot on the south side of the building, where the addition is to be built.

As the Journal-World reported, the project will create space for more courtrooms, judges’ chambers, conference rooms and other essential facilities at the JLEC, 111 E. 11th St. It is expected to take approximately two and a half years; the addition will be constructed first, then the renovations to the existing building are expected to begin in summer 2026.

photo by: Contributed

A rendering of the outside of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center with the renovations and addition.

J.E. Dunn shared estimates with the County Commission of how much the parking in the south lot will be reduced during construction, and where court staff, jurors and other members of the public will be able to park instead.

Douglas County and J.E. Dunn differ slightly in their calculation of how many spaces are currently in the south lot. County spokesperson Karrey Britt told the Journal-World that the lot currently accommodates 217 vehicles, while J.E. Dunn’s estimates say it has 221 spaces. Working from that figure, J.E. Dunn expects that the total number of spots in the south lot will fall to 130 once construction begins.

The number of spaces could fluctuate as construction progresses, but by 2026 it’s expected to stabilize at its final level of 155 spots. The project is expected to make up for some of that lost parking by adding spaces in a lot to the west of the JLEC, near the historic Douglas County Courthouse. This lot will expand from its current 17 spaces to 37 spaces, J.E. Dunn estimated.

While the construction is going on, a few dozen spaces of extra parking will be available a short walk away for staff and the public. The parking lot by Trinity Lutheran Church, which will also be used by construction workers, will also have some spaces available for JLEC staff through this spring. And the parking lot at 1242 Massachusetts St. will be available for the duration of the project. Both are about a five-minute walk from the JLEC.

photo by: Screenshot

An estimation of how many parking spaces will be available to employees and the public at the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center during the renovation and addition construction project.

photo by: Screenshot

The locations of available parking during the renovation and addition of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center project.

Britt told the Journal-World in an email that signage and public notifications would make residents aware of parking changes throughout the project. Updates will be published on the Douglas County website and social media and in the county’s newsletter.

As the Journal-World has reported, the JLEC renovations will take place alongside the construction of a new Public Safety Building, which will serve as the central hub for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the 911 dispatch center and the county’s emergency management operations. That building will be located next to the Douglas County Jail, 3601 E. 25th St.

“The addition and renovation of the Judicial and Law Enforcement Center, along with the construction of the new Public Safety building, represent significant advancements for our community,” Britt told the Journal-World via email. “These projects are designed to enhance security for all users and optimize operational efficiency. We deeply appreciate the patience and cooperation of our employees and the public as we progress with this major construction effort.”