Tuesday, January 19, 1999 The University Daily Kansan Section A · Page7 New administrative position created Design, construction management, facilities operations affected By Jamie Knodel and Kristi Reimer Kanson staff writers In an effort to better coordinate overlapping projects, an administrative position was created to oversee facilities operations and the department of design and construction management. By creating the position, the administration hopes to enhance the intertwined relationship of the two departments. However, they will continue to operate as separate units. James Long, director of the Kansas and Burge Unions, will leave his Union position and serve as assistant provost for facilities planning and management beginning Jan. 22. "The organizational restructuring of the two departments will improve how efficiently the two departments operate," said Jim Modig, director of design and construction management. In the past, facilities operations reported to the provost, and design and construction management answered to the chancellor. Long said the consolidation of these two units was part of Chancellor Robert Hemenway's ongoing reorganization of administrative ranks at the University of Kansas. Mike Richardson, director of facilities operations, said the responsibilities of both departments frequently required that they work together. Design and construction management often designs small construction projects that facilities operations builds. "By reporting to the same person, we hope to enhance the interaction between the two departments," Richardson said. Long will serve as coordinator between the departments. He said his responsibilities included institutional management, business practices and personnel. The administrative alignment will provide consistency between the departments. "We will now be working in a coordinated effort, where we both have the same priorities. The system should move considerably smoother," Richardson said. Immediate change is not expected once Long takes his position. "We will begin to look at the organization so that we will be able to respond to growth and maintenance of new buildings on campus."Long said. There would be a period of evaluation for the current system to refine and improve existing techniques. Richardson said. A national search will be conducted to find a new director for the Kansas and Burge Unions. The search will be handled by Dave Ambler, vice chancellor for student affairs. Kansas and Burge Unions associate director Warner Ferguson will serve as interim director. 15th and Engel safety talks yield few answers By Nadia Mustafa Kansan staff writer Daisy Hill residents who cross the intersection of 15th Street and Engel Road may be able to rest easier when traffic safety measures are implemented this spring. In a Dec. 11 meeting with city and KU officials, student senators discussed options for easing the flow of traffic at the Daisy Hill intersection. "It's the most dangerous intersection in Lawrence," said Aravind Muthukrishnan, Nunemaker senator. "With all the pedestrians and impatient drivers, we're lucky there haven't been any fatalities, but it's just a matter of time." Kyle Ramsev/KANSAN Every day, more than 200 students and 14,000 cars cross through the intersection, which is next to Templin Hall. "It's a dangerous intersection," said Robert Chamberlain, Templin resident and Topeka freshman. "There's a lot of traffic and you have to be really careful crossing the street." In addition to residents crossing the intersection during the week, students who go to the St. Lawrence Catholic Center on Crescent Road also have problems. "It's a mess on the weekends," said Jeff Pfaff, Chillicothe, Mo., senior, and church night manager. "The church has been fighting a long battle with the city to allow parking on the street." meters and walk across the street. When parishioners cannot find parking in the church parking lot, they often park at residence hall Since 1994, there have been 60 accidents at the intersection — the most in Lawrence. Muthukrishnan said this is because the intersection is at the top of a hill, which decreases visibility. Short-term options for increasing safety at the intersection included mandating cars to yield the right of way to pedestrians, disallowing left turns from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and installing flashing warning lights. Muthukrishnan said these options would cost less than $2,000 and could be implemented quickly. He said the University probably would end up paying a portion of the costs. Terese Gorman, city engineer, said the city would begin collecting data and traffic counts at the intersection this week. Last week, the city installed flat lenses on two lights near the intersection to divert the glare blinding drivers coming over the hill to the ground. across 15th Street. Muthukrishnan said the crosswalk was a long-term option because it would cost several million dollars. Another alternative discussed was widening 15th Street to install a raised pedestrian island along its median so that students would only have to deal with one lane of traffic at a time. Other options discussed at the meeting included installing flat lenses and constructing an elevated pedestrian crosswalk spanning Muthukrishnan said that the city began examining the intersection in 1991, but that no significant action has been taken. "It's a shame that this has gone on for eight years," he said. "The city has known about this for a long time, but the intersection is exactly the same as it was two decades ago." Muthukrishnan, who is now meeting with Chancellor Hemenway, administrators and city officials, said he expected a final decision within the next four months. "If the University doesn't back the city's decision 100 percent, there are chances that whatever happens will fail." Muthukrishnan said. Gorman said she hoped that a safer intersection would be ready for students returning to the University in the fall. STUDENTS LOOK FOR NOTHING IN THE PAPER. Remember that white space can be anirresistible attraction to a pair of inquisitive eyes. Use it to your advantage when you place your next ad where students look first. Kansan Nothing works better. EVERYTHING BUT ICE BEDS·DESKS CHEST OF DRAWERS BOOK CASES LAYAWAY FOR SUMMER unclaimed freight & damaged merchandise 936 Mass. 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