Current Issues in Journalism

Currently off of 25th and Iowa Street in Lawrence KS, there is a large pot hole at the entrance of a cluster of stores and eateries. As you drive into the shopping center there is a large pot hole in the center of the entrance which is almost unavoidable, this causing many people to spill their drink, drop something, scratch their wheels or even loose control of their vehicle. This is actually quite a big problem, despite what some people may think. According to a Toyota representative, some 350 out of 3500 cars tires were replaced last year alone in Lawrence due to road hazards such as pot holes and other unfavorable road problems. It effects more people with the “low profile” tires, which are more susceptible to damage due to pot holes. With the average tire costing around $100, most students are not able to budget such a cost, putting a strain on their pocket books.

When contacting Hopkins Project Management, I was re-directed four times to talk to the person in charge of the pot hole issue. Rob Hopkins was who I finally reached. I asked him if there was any intent at all to fix this problem he replied saying that he was totally un-aware of the issue at all and totally surprised that he was not contacted by one of his tenants before I made the call. He also said that they are planning to resurface the whole lot in the spring with two inches of asphalt. He told me that he had already re-done the Applebee’s Parking lot during the summer and that the same was going to be done with this lot. He also indicated that he was going to call someone tomorrow to get this particular hole patched up as soon as possible stating “ this seems to be a big problem.” You can reach Rob at (760) 641-6300.