March 28, 2022
In anticipation of large crowds of Jayhawk faithful (hopefully) celebrating in Downtown Lawrence this weekend, the City of Lawrence will be closing Massachusetts St. to vehicles from 6th St. to South Park St. on Saturday, April 2, and, if necessary, for the game on Monday, April 4.
After the Jayhawks won the 2008 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship, an estimated crowd of more than 80,000 people came to Downtown Lawrence to celebrate. Closing Massachusetts St. to vehicles will help the City ensure everyone who joins this year’s celebrations are able to do so safely.
Street closures will begin at 6 a.m. on game days. From 6 a.m. until two hours before tip-off (approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday), Massachusetts St. will be closed from 6th St. to 11th St. At two hours before tip-off, the Massachusetts St. closure will extend from 6th St. through South Park St. Alley access will be open all day. Some cross streets will remain open at Massachusetts St. to through traffic.
- 6th St. will remain open to through traffic all day.
- 9th St. will be open to through traffic until two hours before tip-off.
- 11th St. will be open to through traffic until two hours before tip-off.
Vehicles that are still on Massachusetts St. after 6 a.m. on either game day will be courtesy towed to the Community Building parking lot located at the intersection of 11th & Vermont streets. Vehicles can be retrieved from this location at any time.
All public parking in Downtown Lawrence will be free on Saturday, April 2, and, if the Jayhawks are still playing, again on Monday, April 4. Please note that all parking laws will be enforced, including use of accessible/handicap stalls, posted no parking signs, fire lanes, etc. For more information and to view a public parking map, please visit lawrenceks.org/parking.
Use of glass bottles and other glassware while downtown is strongly discouraged on both game days. The City also strongly discourages any rooftop activities.
The City has advised all businesses operating parklets to remove furniture, heaters, planters and other moveable items before the end of the game.
For future updates, stay tuned to our City social media and website, which is available here: lawrenceks.org/march-madness.
Rock Chalk!
Contact: Porter Arneill, Director of Communications & Creative Resources, parneill@lawrenceks.org