Friday, August 27, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A • Page 5
*Pedestrians must walk in Mississippi Street now that part of the sidewalk has beorn turn up for construction on the new $10 million parking garage next to the Kansas Union. The other side of Mississippi does not have a sidewalk.* Photo by Carrie Julian/KANSAN
Construction on garage slows route to campus
By Michael Terry writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
The completion of the new $10 million parking garage is just 11 months away, but for some students the end of the construction's inconvenience cannot come soon enough.
Eric Reed, Topeka junior, said that he walked to class every day from his Berkeley Flats apartment at 1123 Indiana St.
Before devising an alternate route, Reed had to deal with the construction.
"Mississippi Street has become a dangerous place to walk to class during certain times of the day," he said. "The garage's construction has spilled over onto the sidewalk, which is causing students to walk in the streets more than usual."
Reed said that instead of dealing with the traffic every time he had to go up to the Kansas Union, he started taking the long way around to avoid any possibility of getting hit.
The east side of Mississippi Street, the only side that has a sidewalk, now has a substantial stretch removed and blocked by a chain link fence.
Students who do not want to walk in the street have go down to the Memorial Stadium parking lot or go up to Oread Avenue instead.
Gerardo Delatorre, Douglas,
Ariz., graduate student, said that
it was not just the construction
causing the problems but also the
careless driving of some students
and faculty.
"I see people just like me walking up towards the Union, and cars will come rushing by within a few feet of hitting them," Delatorre said. "I think something needs to be done to alleviate this problem before someone gets hurt."
Reed said he believed that one of the problems was that there was no posted speed limit from 11th Street on up to the Union.
Donna Hultine, assistant director for the parking department, said that she was not aware of any students on Mississippi Street having to walk in the street because of the ongoing construction.
"I haven't been by the site lately, but I haven't had students say anything to me about the construction being a problem," she said.
Sgt. Troy Mailen said that the KU Public Safety Office also had not received any complaints about the sidewalk being removed or of people speeding down Mississippi Street,
"We try to keep officers in that area patrolling on a regular basis, but you can't be everywhere all the time." Mailen said.
John Brandt, Bayonne, N.J., senior, said that he drove to campus every day from Kansas City, Mc., and that he had noticed the extra pedestrian traffic on Mississippi Street.
"There's nothing that can really be done now about the sidewalk," Brandt said. "I think drivers and pedestrians just need to take a little extra time and watch what they're doing so nobody winds up getting hurt."
Edited by Julia Nicholson
Bud pours funds into Saferide
By Chris Borniger
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Anheuser-Busch gives $1,000 to program
Saferide has a $130,000 budget to operate the cars it uses to ferry students home from bars or parties where alcohol is present. Compared with that, $1,000 isn't very much.
But when Saferide received a $1,000 check this week from Anheuser-Busch, brewer of Budweiser beer, it came as a surprise to Ben Walker, transportation board chairman.
"I was ecstatic." he said. "It's really just a drop in the bucket, but I think it's a great gesture on Budweiser's part. If that money gets one person home safely, it was definitely worth it."
Holly Krebs, director of KU on Wheels, said that two years ago Saferide ran out of money before the end of the year and had to cease operations.
While seeking funds this summer to help support Saferide, Walker, legislative director of Student Legislative Awareness Board, was unable to secure any federal or state grants.
"People tend to be skeptical of using public funds for what they think is a tipsy taxi." Walker said.
As a result, he said, he turned to private businesses. Local bars offered support, but Walker declined because they wanted free advertising on Saferide vehicles in return. In June, Classic Eagle Distributing, local distributor for Anheuser-Busch, offered to make a donation without any advertising
"We think Saferide is a great way to get people home safely," said Kirk Lambright, Classic Eagle administrative manager. "The whole industry has a responsibility to make sure that our product is not abused and nobody gets in an accident as a result."
Lambrecht said that Classic Eagle donated at least $10,000 each year to safe-drinking programs. He said that Anheuser-Busch had donated about $200 million to similar programs and activities since 1982.
Krebs said the source of the donation was particularly special.
"It's great for them to recognize that they're a distributor of alcohol, and with that they can help people," she said.
Krebs also said she hoped the donation would influence other companies to contribute.
"Hopefully, this is the beginning of a trend," she said. "If we're able to accrue more financial support, we can expand the program."
Krebs said the money probably would cover operating costs for one of the seven cars that runs on weekends.
Walker said if he secured more funding, he would consider adding another phone line or another dispatcher to make sure more calls were answered. Since the 1994-1995 school year, Safefera has received more than 10,000 calls each year.
Krebs said, "If Saferide saves one student's life in its entire existence, that's made up for everything that's been put into it."
Safer roads for cyclists suggested
By Derek Prater
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
The Compatibility Index report, developed by TranSystems, a national traffic consulting firm, identifies five stretches of road that are immediately practical for the addition of bicycle lanes. The report, as well as the Draft Bicycle Work Program, a comprehensive plan for bicycle facilities, was presented to the Lawrence City Commission on Tuesday night.
The gust of traffic-blown wind that whips across the backs of bicyclists may become softer on several Lawrence streets if the suggestions made in the Bicycle Compatibility Index report take effect.
Aaron Bartlett, city transportation planner, said that the Compatibility Index report began in the summer of 1998 after repeated requests from citizens to the Bicycle Advisory Committee to investigate adding bicycle lanes to Lawrence streets.
The report focused on 11 streets that were either commonly asked about by citizens or identified by the committee as good possibilities.
23rd Street; Louisiana Street, from 19th Street to 31st Street; Vermont Street, from Seventh Street to 11th Street; 15th Street, from Kentucky Street to the east city limits; and 19th Street, from Massachusetts Street to the east city limits.
Joanna Griffin, Wichita junior, rides her bicycle to get to classes and when she goes downtown. She said she thought adding bicycle lanes would be a good idea.
"I don't feel comfortable riding on the streets because the cars don't pay attention," she said. "It would encourage people to ride their bikes more and feel more safe."
Bicycle lanes are deemed warranted and practical for Naismith Drive, from Irving Hill Road to
Bike lanes feasible for five city streets
Bartlett said that the reports focused on the downtown area and the University of Kansas campus because many students ride bicycles in those areas.
"Almost every college town like Lawrence has a high population of people who like to walk and bike," he said.
The compatibility index report and the work program look to develop a bicycle network that takes into account three types of bicycle facilities: recreation paths, bicycle lanes and streets that are more suitable for bicyclists.
Bartlett said that planning with all three in mind would make a better plan than simply adding bicycle lanes.
Facilities aren't the only issue either, Bartlett said.
BIKE LANES NEEDED
"It comes down to both infrastructure and attitudes," he said.
The Bicycle Compatibility Index report indicated that five stretches of road in Lawrence are in need of bicycle lanes.
Naismith Drive: from Irving Hill Road to 23rd Street
Louisiana Street: from 19th Street to 31st Street
Vermont Street: from 7th Street to 11th Street
15th Street: from Kentucky
19th Street: to Massachusetts Street: to the east city limits
Sherlock the East city limits
19th Street: from Massachusetts
Street to the east city limits
Educating residents about sharing the road and bicycle safety are as important as improving facilities, Bartlett said.
Bartlett said that Lawrence probably already met the standards set by the Bicycle Federation of America to be considered a "bicycle-friendly" community but that the real issue was what residents think. He said that the compatibility index report and the work program had the city on its way to making it a better place for bicyclists.
The city commission sent the the compatibilityindex and the work program to the Traffic Safety Commission for comment. The traffic commission won't be able to evaluate the reports until October, so the city commission won't see its evaluation until at least November, Bartlett said.
Edited by Chris Hopkins
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THE SPIRITUALITY OF STAR WARS
4:30 p.m. - Fridays: Aug. 27, Sept. 10 & 24
On Sunday evenings we'll both look at an overview of the Bible as a text and also talk about how the same text impacts our faith and informs our lives as people of faith.
On Aug. 27, Sept. 10 and 24, there will be a showing of the first three Star Wars movies. A discussion of the spiritual issues and images in each film will follow. Refreshments!
If you have further questions, contact Joe Alford at 843-8202 or Thad Holcombe at ECM, 843-4933.
HOLY EUCHARIST - A SHARED EPISCOPAL AND LUTHERAN WORSHIP SERVICE
Christian Base Communities are student groups where you can share your faith commitment and questions. We will meet weekly for 15 weeks over a meal for a time of prayer, Biblical and theological reflection, and personal sharing. Times are to be arranged to fit your schedule.
843-8202 or 843-4948 for more information
6:30 p.m. - Sunday, Aug. 29 - Introductory Session Meets every Sunday thereafter 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
CHRISTIAN BASE COMMUNITY FORMATION MEETING
HOW TO READ THE BIBLE FAITHFULLY AND CRITICALLY
5:00 p.m. - Every Sunday Free Dinner follows service
7:30 p.m. - Sunday, August 29
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