A man reported to have jumped off the Kansas River bridge was found safe Wednesday morning, but officials and river enthusiasts warn that swimming or boating near the Bowersock Dam can be dangerous or even fatal.
The Kansas River rushes over the dam near downtown Lawrence, Thursday afternoon, May 9, 2019.
City leaders have decided not to move forward with a contract to make repairs on the Bowersock Dam after the proposal came in around $400,000 more than anticipated.
As part of its meeting Tuesday, the Lawrence City Commission voted 4-1, with Mayor Brad Finkeldei opposed, to authorize city staff to advertise a request for proposals for engineering services for the design of the dam rehabilitation. The city previously negotiated a contract with J.F. Brennan Company Inc. and Barr Engineering Co. for the project, but the companies were projecting that it would cost the city $1.9 million instead of the $1.5 million that the city anticipated.