Safe and Secure during March Madness
Mass Street will close to vehicles for the game on April 2 and, if necessary, again on April 4.
Free parking downtown on both game days, including public garages, lots and metered spaces.
Use of glass bottles and other glassware are strongly discouraged.
Downtown businesses will be allowed to conduct sidewalk sales on Saturday, April 2, without a permit. All merchandise/displays must be removed from the sidewalk by 3:30 p.m. Alcoholic liquor sales are prohibited on sidewalks and streets.
It will be in the best interest of businesses operating parklets to remove all furniture, heaters, planters, and other moveable items before the end of the game in case a large crowd gathers. If you need help storing parklet items, please call Dillon Jones with our Parks & Recreation Department at 913-633-2068
Hello – and ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!
March Madness is in full gear and our Jayhawks are getting ready for another Final Four! This means it’s time for the City of Lawrence and our Downtown Lawrence partners to get prepared. Based on years past, we’re anticipating a large gathering of Jayhawk faithful will come to Downtown Lawrence to cheer the Jayhawks on to victory and to experience the wonderful atmosphere our downtown has to offer. Our goal is to make sure everyone is safe and secure while celebrating.
To balance the safety of those celebrating with the unique atmosphere of Downtown Lawrence, the City of Lawrence is closing Massachusetts Street to vehicle traffic and parking for the first Final Four game and, if necessary, the championship game. The Final Four game is scheduled for Saturday, April 2, and the Championship is scheduled for Monday, April 4. Closures will start at 6 a.m. on game days.
The impacted parking spaces are on Massachusetts St. from 6th St. to North Park St. (one block south of 11th St.), and the spaces in both 100 blocks of 7th St. through 11th St., east and west of the alleys. 6th St. will remain open to through traffic all day. 9th St. and 11th St. will be open to through traffic until two hours before game time.
We understand the inconvenience this closure may cause so, to assist with this, the City of Lawrence will offer free parking within the downtown corridor during any closure period related to the celebration. Free parking areas will include all public garages, lots, and metered spaces. Please keep in mind that standard parking laws will be enforced, including 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.
As important participants in this celebration, we want to work with you to not only make this a safe event, but to make it a successful and wonderful experience for all who visit Downtown Lawrence. As we move forward with planning, future updates will be communicated through our City social media and website, which can be found here: lawrenceks.org/march-madness.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our team at: NCAA@lkpd.org.
After the Jayhawks won the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship, more than 80,000 people came to Downtown Lawrence to celebrate. In preparation for a return to the Final Four, and to ensure everyone is safe while celebrating, the City of Lawrence has developed an action plan for Downtown Lawrence during the Final Four.
The City of Lawrence will close Massachusetts Street to vehicles for the first Final Four game on Saturday, April 2 and, if necessary, for the championship game on Monday, April 4.
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.
Additional notes for pedestrian safety on gamedays
Cars left on Massachusetts St. after 6 a.m. on game days (when the street is closed) will be courtesy towed to the Community Center parking lot at 11th & Vermont.
Free parking areas for downtown visitors will include all public garages, lots and metered spaces. Please keep in mind that standard parking laws will be enforced, including use of accessible/handicap stalls, posted no parking signs, fire lanes, etc. For more information and a public parking map, please visit lawrenceks.org/parking.
Use of glass bottles and other glassware is strongly discouraged on both game days. The City also strongly discourages any rooftop activities.
Informational Resources
Downtown Lawrence, Inc.: Mass Street Madness Facebook event
eXplore Lawrence: Final Four in Lawrence, KS - events and activities
