News Releases
Friday, September 21, 2012 News from the City of Lawrence
(Sent: 2012-09-21 07:00:56)NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Friday, September 21, 2012 News from the City of Lawrence
1) Planning and Development staff receives ‘trailblazer’ award
2) National medication ‘Take Back’ Day set for next weekend
3) Saturday session added to Organwise Guys program
4) City infrastructure improvement projects for the week of September 24
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1) Planning and Development staff receives ‘trailblazer’ award
(Lawrence, Kan.) - Margene Swarts, assistant director of Planning and Development Services, was honored at the 2012 Kansas Housing Conference with the Affordable Housing Trail Blazer Award. This award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and service in responding to affordable housing or community development needs within the state of Kansas. Swarts, employed by the city since 1979, administers the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships Program grants to aid with community development, neighborhood revitalization, and affordable housing in the community.
The nomination for the award was submitted by Tenants to Homeowners, Inc., the city’s certified Community Housing Development Organization and a primary provider of affordable housing in Lawrence. Swarts was introduced at the conference for the award by Rebecca Buford, Executive Director of Tenants to Homeowners. The city has long partnered with Tenants to Homeowners in the provision of affordable housing in the community.
Swarts designated Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. as the non-profit organization to receive the $500 check associated with the award.
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Contact:Sergeant Steve Lewis, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, (785) 832-5204 OR Rob Neff, Lawrence Police Department, (785) 830-7409
2) National medication ‘Take Back’ Day set for next weekend
(Lawrence, Kan.) - On Saturday September 29, 2012 the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Lawrence Police Department are participating in the nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back Day.” The Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is coordinating with state and local law enforcement agencies to collect expired, unused, or unwanted prescription and over the counter drugs. There are two collection sites in Lawrence. One is the short-term parking lot next to the county courthouse. The other is the Lawrence Police Department at 4820 Bob Billings Parkway. We will accept unwanted medications between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M., Saturday September 29th. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked.
This is the fifth national prescription drug Take-Back initiative coordinated by the DEA. The public is encouraged to dispose of all solid dosage pharmaceuticals, such as tablets and capsules. Liquid products, such as cough syrup, should remain securely sealed in the original container. We cannot accept inhalers, intra-venous solutions, injectibles, needles, or illegal drugs. Participants may dispose of a medication in its original container, and are advised to remove or mark out any identifying information from the prescription label. All items are placed in a secure box and collected by the DEA for destruction.
Each year as much as 40% of all prescription medications go unused, representing some 1.5 billion doses a year. It is little wonder prescription drug abuse is the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem. By removing unwanted medicines from home cabinets we reduce the opportunity for abuse, and decrease the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses. It also gives participants a way to properly dispose of unwanted medicines in a safe, legal, and environmentally sound way, instead of flushing them down the toilet or throwing them away.
We look forward to seeing you and your unwanted medication on Saturday the 29th, between 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.
The City of Lawrence/Douglas County Household Hazardous Waste Facility can accept medications throughout the year but hours are by appointment only. The Household Hazardous Waste Facility cannot accept certain controlled substances including narcotics. For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, visit www.lawrencerecycles.org.
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3) Saturday session added to Organwise Guys program
(Lawrence, Kan.) – Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department has added a Saturday session of Fit-Trition Fun with the OrganWise Guys this fall.
The Saturday session will be offered 10-10:45 a.m. Oct.6-Dec.8.
The department still has openings in other weekday sessions 10:30-11:15 a.m. and 2-2:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Oct. 2-25. Other month-long sessions will be offered at the same times and days, Nov. 6-Dec. 6. Cost of the program is $20 per session.
Fit-Trition Fun with the OrganWise Guys is offered as a parent/child participation class and is open to children 3 years-old to 5 years-old. The program integrates the OrganWise Guys health education curriculum with a fitness program to help children build healthy habits by learning about their organs and what they can do to keep them healthy. Topics to be covered include: an introduction to fruits and vegetables, bone health and germs. Lessons will be taught through the use of the OrganWise Guys characters, story books, interactive games, exercises and songs.
Enrollment in the program may be done online at www.lprd.org or by visiting a Lawrence Parks and Recreation facility, including: the Community Building, 115 West 11th St.; East Lawrence Recreation Center, 1245 East 15th St.; Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 West 27th St.; Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center, 4706 Overland Drive; Prairie Park Nature Center, 2730 Harper St. or the Administrative Offices in South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St.
The OrganWise Guys is an interactive science-based education program that uses characters based on the organs of the body to teach children about nutrition. The OrganWise Guys program was introduced to Parks and Recreation through a grant they received in May from the National Recreation and Park Association through the Kansas Health Foundation.
For more information, please contact Roger Steinbrock, marketing supervisor, at rsteinbrock@lawrenceks.org or (785) 832-3450.
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4) City infrastructure improvement projects for the week of September 24
(Lawrence, Kan.) - Infrastructure improvement projects for the week of September 24. NEW! Our construction projects listed are now available in a map format at http://lawks.us/construction-map.
Project: KDOT K-10 Resurfacing Project (project suspended until Oct. 1)
Traffic Impact: KDOT is resurfacing an 8.43-mile section of K-10 from the I-70/Kansas Turnpike Lecompton interchange south to the US-59 interchange in Lawrence (Douglas County). Project work includes patching of existing pavement, milling at ramps and bridge approaches, application of a 3/4-inch new asphalt layer on the existing mainline pavement, and the application of a chip seal on the shoulders, followed by all new pavement markings. The resurfacing project will smooth the road and fill surface defects that can shorten pavement life. Work will take place during daylight hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with some occasional Saturday work.
Traffic will be directed through the project work zone via signage, cones and a pilot car and flagger operation. Drivers should expect delays of up to 15 minutes maximum and are encouraged to use alternate routes, if possible. There will be a posted speed limit of 55 mph and a 12-foot lane width restriction through the project work zone during working hours. No oversized or supersized loads will be allowed through the project work zone. Note: No traffic impacts or project work will take place on University of Kansas home game days in Lawrence. Updated traffic information for this project can be viewed online at: www.ksdot.org/topekametro/laneclose.asp.
Project: KDOT replacement of K-10/23rd Street Bridge between Haskell and Barker
Traffic Impact: Traffic on 23rd Street, between Barker and Haskell Avenues, has been shifted to utilize the shoofly detours on the north and south section of the roadway. Two lanes are available in each direction on the detours but traffic will be noticeably slower and speeds must be reduced on the detours.
Advance message boards will alert drivers to the lane closures. Drivers should expect major delays during peak travel times. Updated traffic information for the K-10/23rd Street bridge replacement project can be viewed online: www.ksdot.org/topekametro/laneclose.asp.
Project: 2012 Microsurfacing Program
Traffic Impact: Contractors for the City of Lawrence will be performing Asphalt Patching in Phase D locations, generally bound by Monterey Way to Wakarusa Dr & Harvard Rd to Inverness Dr/BBPW beginning in late August followed by microsurfacing (if microsurfacing does not occur this season, it will be planned for Spring 2013). For patching and microsurfacing locations, through traffic in both directions will be generally maintained throughout the project with flaggers, traffic control devices, and signage. There is a possibility of street closures on residential streets only, if necessary. Please see the following link for mapped work locations for the entire street maintenance program for 2012: http://lawrenceks.org/public_works/files/2012_comprehensive_street_maintenance.pdf.
Project: 2012 Overlay Program Phase 2
Traffic Impact: Contractor for the City of Lawrence began mill & overlay/ curb & gutter program on Monday, July 9, 2012. This week’s projects include the following streets: Phase A & B locations: streets located in the area generally bound by W 6th St to the north and east and west of Michigan St. Additional streets include: Lyon St from N 3rd to N 4th, E 8th St from Connecticut St to Delaware St (RR Tracks). These areas will see traffic impacts from some curb and gutter repairs, milling, patching, and overlay work. Through traffic in both directions will be generally maintained throughout the project with flaggers, traffic control devices and signage. There is a possibility of street closures, if necessary, especially during the day(s) of asphalt overlay. Residences and businesses will be notified if access to driveways will be restricted while work is performed. Please see the following link for mapped work locations for the entire street maintenance program for 2012: http://lawrenceks.org/public_works/files/2012_comprehensive_street_maintenance.pdf.
Project: 2012 Concrete Rehabilitation Program
Traffic Impact: Contractors for the City of Lawrence began the concrete rehabilitation program on Monday, April 30, 2012. Concrete streets to experience traffic impacts from patching include: Glenview St from Summer Tree Ln to Deerfield Ln, Summer Tree Ln from Glenview to Princeton. Through traffic in both directions will be generally maintained throughout the project with flaggers, traffic control devices and signage. There is a possibility of street closures, if necessary. Residences and businesses will be notified if access to driveways will be restricted while work is performed. Please see the following link for mapped work locations for the entire street maintenance program for 2012: http://lawrenceks.org/public_works/files/2012_comprehensive_street_maintenance.pdf.
Project: Pump Station PS43 Pump Replacement
Traffic Impact: Tedrow Construction will be replacing sanitary sewer pumps in Pump Station PS43 located south of the intersection of W 13th Street and Lake View Court. Contractor will provide traffic signage alerting to drivers to construction vehicles and work activities in the adjacent W. 13th Street right-of-way. All streets will remain open to traffic.
Project: Levee trail detour for power plant expansion
Traffic Impact: A portion of the Kansas River levee trail has been closed for the construction of the Bowersock Mills & Power Co.’s new plant on the north bank of the Kansas River. A detour on the trail will take users from the trail to city streets crossing at the controlled intersection of 2ndand Locust Streets. Signage will be clearly posted marking the detour route to direct users throughout the detour. The city urges drivers and trail users to use caution when travelling through the intersection. The detour will run for the duration of the project, which is projected to last 20 months (starting April 2011). For more information, contact the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Administrative Office, at (785) 832-3450.
Project: Lawrence Municipal Airport sanitary sewer improvements
Traffic Impact: No impacts at this time, construction activities are currently on hold.
Project: Miscellaneous Pump Station Reconstruction
Traffic Impact: EmCon, Inc. is reconstructing pump stations 35 and 37 and decommissioning pump station 28 as part of City project No. UT0919CS. The work involves the installation of gravity and force main sanitary sewer lines and pump station facilities. Work on pump stations 28 and 35 will impact Sandpiper Drive, North Michigan Street, Pike’s Peek Place, and Riverridge Road. Residents can expect to see construction equipment, materials, and construction activity within public right-of-way and utility easements. Work on pump station 37 will impact East 1500 Road from Elmwood Street to the pump station site located approximately 900 feet east of Lindenwood Lane. Residents can expect to see construction equipment, materials, and construction activity within the public right-of-way and utility easements. No access restrictions, lane closures, or detours are planned as part of this project.
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