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New apartment complex to feature robotic valet
KELLY CORDINGLEY
@kellycordingley
A new student housing project at 1101 Indiana St. plans to park resident vehicles using RoboticValet, a machine created by Boomerang Systems, Inc. Developers say the ecofriendly service will be an improvement in safety as Kansas' first robotic parking system.
The apartment complex, developed by Chicago-based company Here Industries LLC, will be located on Indiana Street near Memorial Stadium and will cater to students. Jim Heffernan, a developer at Here, said while this type of parking system has been around for years, Boomerang was chosen as the vendor because of its track record.
"There are several vendors, but we chose Boomerang because they're reliable." Heffernan said. "They have an extremely reliable system in comparison to some of their competitors, and they're very good to work with."
Boomerang's website describes its RoboticValet system as one that "uses omni-directional, battery-powered robots, and a proprietary software and robotics guidance system, to carry vehicles parked on self-supporting steel trays to and from storage spaces by driving directly on a concrete slab surface, without the use of a rail or track." The vehicle can be called up by the push of a button when the driver is ready to go.
Heffernan said RoboticValet will significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the apartment complex by removing the need to build
"There are multiple benefits; the carbon footprint is dramatically less. It's reduced because there's not all the idling and searching for a car," he added. "I think we've all been there and seen that spot in a garage, and by the time you get to it, it's full."
ramps, aisles and extra space between cars.
"The beauty of a robotic garage is the central drop off point, where [there are] multiple lights and security cameras," Heffernan said. "It creates a safer environment instead of being in an isolated drive aisle of a parking garage. It's also much safer [because] the cars are all stored in a secure vault where there is really no human interaction, so break-ins and door dings; those are eliminated."
In addition to the green aspect, this system offers improved safety for the driver and their vehicle unlike any other complex in Lawrence.
"[Because] KU students and Lawrence residents tend to have a problem with parking. I think many will enjoy this and it will bring a lot of people in."
BELLA CONGEMI Sophomore from River Edge, N.J.
While the parking garage is unique to this development, it isn't the only aspect that makes it stand out. The development will add 108 standard public parking spots on Mississippi and Indiana streets for visitors, and Heffernan said he hopes to add a retail component similar to that of downtown
"It has a superior location in terms of convenience for the average KU student with amenities that aren't really in Lawrence at any location," he said. "There will be an elevated pool [on the roof of the complex] overlooking the green area by Memorial Stadium. Right now, downtown venues are a fair walk away from the majority of people on campus, so we're hoping to bring some of the convenience to the area."
Massachusetts Street as part of the development.
TJ Blake, a sophomore from Hutchison and a University Affairs Committee member, said this technology will help solve problems many people face on campus.
"Advancements in technology can create a great opportunity for increased safety for college students," he said in an email. "Hopefully, local apartments [will] continue to innovate ways to create affordable solutions to these major student issues."
Bella Congemi, a sophomore from River Edge, N.J., said she's excited to see this technology here in Lawrence.
With the development set to open in 2016, Heffernan said Here looks forward to implementing the new system.
"We're excited to bring this level of innovation and green thinking to KU and to Lawrence," Heffernan said.
BAN FROM PAGE 1
- Edited by Mitch Raznick
The policy comes on the heels of a controversial year for the Greek community — both nationally and on the KU campus — as events involving cultural competency and sexual assault within the community made headlines. This year's Rock Chalk Revue, a variety show-style fundraiser that the Greek community hosts, included a stereotypically Hispanic
character named "Paco." The incident caused uproar within the university community and the Rock Chalk Revue board of directors apologized for the character.
In one of several high-profile sexual assault cases, the University initially handed down an interim suspension on Kappa Sigma fraternity on Sept. 30 for the allegations of sexual misconduct. The University started its investigation into the fraternity at that time as well. In
The statement bans hard liquor use at any chapter house by residents or guests. The policy will also include an amnesty clause, which would allow someone to get help for anyone in need of medical assistance without facing any punishments.
The alcohol ban will go into effect starting next fall.
December, the fraternity was placed on a two-year probation.
Edited by Casey Hutchins
"We have to have an environment that will stabilize them in those situations," Blevins said. "Give them at least a shot at recovery, and that can't happen unless you have a specialized environment."
HEALTH FROM PAGE 2
The San Antonio Recovery Center is the model for the ideal recovery center. Weinaug and Blevins traveled with a team of Lawrence officials to visit the facility in March.
ment, therapy and relaxation time. The point is to target everything: medical, emotional, physical and spiritual enrichment and heading. Blevins said.
Blevins said their visit to San Antonio is a testament to the hypothesis that recovery centers work. He said he believes that once the community knows this, they'll be on board to help.
Weinaugh agrees the San Antonio facility is great, but cautions that major adaptations would need to be made for a similar facility to thrive in Lawrence.
"There are some differences in Texas, including that we are under a different set of state laws," Weinaug said.
Weinaug also said a stay at their facility is maximum seven days, while a stay at one in Lawrence would be maximum 14 days. Furthermore, San Antonio is a town of millions while Lawrence is a town of thousands.
For now, the crisis center and eventual recovery center are at the forefront of possible solutions. The county is currently working with two consultants to conduct extensive research for the projects.
The San Antonio facility was greatly funded from a donation of more than $100 million from a single donor. That same situation is unlikely to happen in Lawrence, Weinaug said.
Weinaug and Blevins both said they will be able to make more concrete and justified decisions as soon as they have more empirical evidence. The next step will be finding funding for the programs and facilities, which Weinaug said would most likely come in the form of an increase in taxes.
Kelly said when she met with Cosby, it was clear he and the group had a good grasp on the severity of Kansas' fiscal state.
FUTURE FROM PAGE 2
From there, Cosby took his check to Gov. Sam Brownback's office where Cosby said no one was very interested in speaking with him.
"It was very clear that his group had a pretty good grasp on the dire fiscal situation here in Kansas," she said. "They understood they'd never make up for the deficit by selling cookies. I thought it was very good symbolism."
Edited by Callie Byrnes
She went on to add the tax cuts put in place by Brownback in 2012 and 2013 were, in large part, to blame for the budget mess, though not all of her colleagues have come to terms with the severity of the issue.
"We've kind of looked under every couch cushion and under every rock for every penny we can find because folks will not deal with reality and the tax cuts put in place in 2012 and 2013" she said. "They're addressing the issue, but my take on it is that so far no one has really dealt with the elephant in the room."
Mimicking that thought, Cosby said since the legislators didn't seem to be acting, he brought boxes of cookies in case they wanted to help raise extra funds.
"We're waiting for Brownback math to add up, and it's not coming, so we need serious solutions," he said. "I brought
a box of cookies with me, and I gave the legislators a box of cookies as a 'saving Kansas' starter kit. This Legislature doesn't seem to be doing the trick, so we should have the Legislature go out and have a bake sale and maybe we can make a dent in the budget shortfall next year."
Cosby, who will graduate this May, said he hopes this group he co-founded will continue to engage with students about the importance of being involved in state and local politics.
"Next year is a presidential [election] year, and students tend to show up more then they do off years, which is unfortunate because state politics impact students far more than the federal," Kelly said. "Presidential politics is very sexy and it's a lot of fun, but the fact of the matter is that our students need to focus on their local representatives and senators because those are the ones making votes to make a difference in their lives."
"We really would love to see students taking more of an interest in their own interests," he said. "We have so much at stake in state politics. If students are more aware and take more of an interest and vote, we're going to see a positive effect from that."
Kelly said both she and Clayton appreciated the point Cosby was trying to make and encouraged him to continue his work to involve students.
Edited by Laura Kubicki
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