Current Issues in Journalism

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The intersection of 23rd St. and Louisiana St. is one of the busiest intersections there is. However, potholes in the road entrances next to and behind the Louisiana St. BP Amoco Food Shop are making it hard for drivers to pass through. I spoke with Dena Mezger at the public works department, who told me that if the potholes were not on a street or a sidewalk, they were on private property, and therefore not the city’s responsibility. Don Murphy, manager of the Louisiana St. BP, claims that neither of the potholes were BP’s responsibility nor do they own the area with the potholes. He suggested asking the neighboring Wendy’s. Sandy Summers, General Manager of the 23rd St. Wendy’s, explained that he did not know exactly whose property the potholes were on. However, he explained, he was told that they own the property up to the end of the grass between BP and Wendy’s and nothing beyond that. More research about the property lines will have to be done. The city claims no responsibility. However, in the description of the public works department on the City of Lawrence website, “building and facility management” were included. The public works department can be reached at 785-832-2123. Murphy can be reached at 785-843-6396 and Summers can be reached at 785-842-9711.