Current Issues in Journalism

Using the wheelchair ramp on the north side of Watson Library has become almost as challenging as climbing its many stairs. Natural corrosion has caused dents to emerge in previously repaved areas on the ramp.

As winter approaches, the necessity of a functioning wheelchair ramp is extremely important for people who use wheelchairs and others who benefit from the gradual incline and railing that the ramp offers. Mary Ann Rasnak is director of the Academic Achievement and Access Center and also a member of the Architectural Barriers Committee. She said that accessibility was an important issue for everyone to be aware of.

“We like to talk about access within the concept of an architectural term called Universal Design,” Rasnak said. “Things that are designed for universal access make things easier for all of us. Everyone can identify with taking the elevator instead of the stairs, using the door opener, maybe even taking a ramp instead of the stairs if your knees are a little sore.”

James Modig, director of Design and Construction Management, is also on the Architectural Barriers Committee with Rasnak. Modig is responsible for reporting these types of complaints to the Facilities Operations department on campus.

“That particular ramp is a series of structural columns and a structural slab between those columns,” Modig said. “If it’s an item of a minor nature Facilities Operations are typically the people who would do those kinds of repairs.”

If Facilities Operations says that the dents on the ramp are more extensive than simple corrosion of the surface cement, Modig will have to explain the situation to the Architectural Barriers Committee. The board will then decide where to put it on its list of deferred maintenance projects.

If you have questions or complaints about accessibility on campus, Mary Ann Rasnak can be reached by phone at the Academic Achievement and Access Center at 785-864-4064 or contact James Modig of Design and Construction Management at 785-864-3431.

The wheelchair ramp on the north side of Watson Library is now more accessible for all patrons. On Thursday morning Larry Rawlings, assistant director of the F.O. Construction and Landscape Shop at 3003 Westbrooke Street, sent out his crew to repair the dents on the ramp.

Facilities Operations filed the work order and fixed the problem within 24 hours of when the original complaint was reported.

James Modig, director of Design and Construction Management, said that he was responsible for contacting Facilities Operations about such problems. “What I do is pass the information on to Doug Riat, who is the director of Facilities Operations,” Modig said. “Then they will send a crew over to take a look at it and see if it is something that can be repaired.”

Often these complaints take longer to repair because Modig receives 30 to 40 emails each day about damaged property around campus.

Facilities Operations was able to repair the damages quickly because they were caused by minor natural corrosion and weren’t structural problems.

If you have noticed areas in need of minor repair around campus contact Facilities Operations at 785-864-4770 or James Modig at 785-864-3431.

KU students are hitting more than just a couple bumps as they drive on Louisiana Street between Seventeenth and Nineteenth Streets.

Besides the existence of four large, deep potholes along the two block strip, the street is extremely bumpy and uneven. Driving down the street is enough to cause CD's to skip and tire alignment to slip.

Because this is a residential street that leads to a popular parking lot in front of the Dole Development Center, it is highly trafficked in the morning. Resident parking is allowed on one side of the street, which makes it nearly impossible to miss the biggest of the potholes. If you do hit that pothole and damage your car, don't expect any reimbursement from the City of Lawrence. It does not cover the majority of damage incurred from potholes.

However, the City of Lawrence's Public Works Department has a 24-hour pothole hotline as well as an online pothole reporting form. Mike Hadel, an employee of the Street Management division, says that Bryce Campbell handles the pothole reports that come in. Campbell is the supervisor who checks the actual site of the reported potholes and assigns workers for the job. He can be reached at (785) 832-3031.

Jennifer Lawhorn, Olathe junior, is frustrated by the potholes. Lawhorn says they really poses a problem for those students who have to drive over them and the people who live along the street.

Sources:
Mike Hadel & Bryce Campbell (785) 832-3031
Jennifer Lawhorn (785) 418-5376

The major potholes from my earlier "Smooth Our Street" post have been filled in. The street (17th to 19th on Lousiana) still has some issues with smoothness. When you first turn onto the street from 19th, there is a very bumpy stretch where caution should be exercised. However, there are no major potholes to cause alignment problems anymore. The street is much easier to navigate.

Revamp Steep Curve

LAWRENCE, Kansas--A loud screeching noise coming from 17th and Louisiana Streets have been scaring the eardrums and waking up residents for years.

"We don't really know why it happens, or what exactly is causing it," said Leslie Kirkpatrick, 1700 Louisiana St. Resident. "But it is very annoying, especially if I am trying to study or trying to go to sleep."

What we do know is that there is a slant in the infrastructure of the curve. When cars are traveling on 17th Street headed towards Louisiana, they must either turn left onto Louisiana or right onto Edgehill, since Louisiana is a one-way street. When the driver turns right onto edgehill, they must curve up a steep hill, and that is where the problem lies.

There are many black tire marks on the turn, which is proof that the problem needs to be fixed. The turn could be harmful to drivers, and presents a danger, especially on taller vehicles, that could cause a rollover. The turn could also harm the tires of vehicles, which cost around $300.00 to repair at any Goodyear Tire store.

Margie Baston, Administrative Support of the Street and Storm Water Matinence of Lawrence, said that the intersection has been that way ever since she can remember.

"Those streets have been that way forever," said Baston. "Now that I think of it, it seems odd that no one has called and complained about them yet." Well, Now they have.

In order for the Lawrence Public Works division to fix a problem area in the city, Baston said that the area must present a danger that could harm others. After calling and complaining, Baston also said they would send a crew out to check the area.

"I know that I, and I'm sure the other residents who live on this street corner, would appreciate the city fixing this intersection," said Kirkpatrick. "It is just so disruptive."

A broken gas pump at the Presto in north Lawrence is causing some frustration.

Customers attempting to use the number five pump at 1030 N. 3rd Street have encountered a plastic bag over the pump’s handle. The pump has been out of order for several weeks and is creating confusion for drivers in the area. Customers have been backing up to reach different stalls, cutting off other drivers waiting in line or trying to leave the station. Accidents at the station have become a potential problem because of the shuffling and hasty decision-making.

Lawrence resident, Aaron Marshall, said the pump was an annoyance for customers in the area.

“I wasted my time,” said Marshall. “At least have the common courtesy to put up a sign that says, ‘Pump out of order.’”

The Presto Convenience Store manager, Tim Stewart, is responsible for getting the pump repaired. Stewart said the pump’s damage was not due to customer negligence, and he is getting parts to fix the issue. Stewart can be contacted about problems concerning the gas station at 785-838-3645.

George Shannon, Lawrence resident, said the pump was an inconvenience and needed to be fixed because the area sustained interstate traffic. Drivers crowd the stalls and parking area of the gas station during morning and afternoon rush hour.

With so much traffic, confusion about the pump could cause unwanted accidents. The Kansas Department of Transportation reported 64.4 percent of traffic accidents last year occurred in urban areas.

The entrance to Meadowbrook Apartments at Chelsea Pl. and Bob Billings Pkwy. has a series of potholes that need to be fixed. The potholes are located at the bottom of the hill on Chelsea Pl. just north of Bob Billings Pkwy. These potholes have been there for at least one year and have been quite a nuisance to residents.

Doug Tiffany, a former resident of Meadowbrook, says there's no way to avoid the potholes if another vehicle is pulling into the complex at the same time you are exiting. "They're (potholes) in a spot where you can't miss them," he says. "The worst part about it is that it's at the bottom of a hill. By the time you hit it, you're going pretty fast."

"Hitting potholes can cause a lot of damage to your car. Shocks, Axles, rims and tires can all be damaged. It can also knock your alignment out of whack," says Valvoline employee Trent Karlin.

The receptionist at Meadowbrook Apartments says that GM Burt Wickersham has already planned to repair the streets and parking lots in the complex.

"Some of these (potholes) we have scheduled to be fixed pretty soon, and some of them are scheduled after the first of the year," the receptionist said.

Hopefully they'll stick to their word and make a smoother ride for us all.