Douglas County has received a Spring 2024 Preservation in Progress Award from the Lawrence Preservation Alliance for its preservation work on the historic County Courthouse in downtown Lawrence. The award recognizes two projects that are underway: waterproofing of the foundation and renovation of the Commission chamber.

When the building was constructed in 1904, the waterproofing of stone foundations was not common practice; therefore, the building had endured significant water infiltration through the exterior foundation walls. The project, which began in fall 2023, will correct the wall permeability issues and prevent further stone foundation deterioration while improving conditions inside the basement level of the courthouse.

The renovation of the County Commission chamber began this spring. It includes fitting the room to accommodate five commissioners beginning Jan. 1, 2025, and repairing water damage that occurred in October 2022 from a fire sprinkler system flood. The goal of the project is to preserve the integrity of the room’s historic features while equipping it with modern technologies.

The Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St., is listed on the national and state Register of Historic Places.