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I am thinking of you and your family often! We are praying for you here in Pennsylvania and wish we could be there to join in the activities and...
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Hi, My name is Valerie Graf. I did the program in 2009 with Dr. Radke and lost a total of 50 lbs. I had not been at my goal weight in over 22...
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Night Crossings Live!!!!!!!!!
Monday, 30 August 2010 | By: Ryan Coon
A major show for all you acoustic fans out there. Radio Kansas along with Freinds University is putting on the first ever Nightcrossings Live performance on Friday October 22nd 2010. This performance...+ Full Story
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TTV: any 5 items are $20 ONLY
Monday, 30 August 2010 | By: Jane Wagler
Check out our special display!  fill up a basket.  Shop GREEN and save!+ Full Story
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Buy any 2 tops, get 1 FREE @ ETC Hutch
Monday, 30 August 2010 | By: Jane Wagler
Join the bargains and get the fall collection!  Look cool while you shop GREEN and save!+ Full Story
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Lose Weight and start feeling better.
Friday, 27 August 2010 | By: Carolea Radke
Want to find out how you can lose weight and feel great again? Join us Monday evening from 5:30-6:30 pm at Delos Smith, at 1st and Washington, Hutchinson,KS.,  and speak with Regional Health...+ Full Story
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Wake The Dead Fest News Release
Tuesday, 24 August 2010 | By: Ed Lundemo
Wake The Dead Rock and Metal Festival 10/09/10 13 bands on two stages. Vintage Burning to headline!2010-08-24By Ed LundemoWake The Dead Rock and Metal Festival III, will be held 10/09/10 on the...+ Full Story
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Just a community notice
Sunday, 22 August 2010 | By: Pat Hood
Many have heard and many have expressed condolences over the recent sudden death of my husband.  I only mention this here because smack in the middle of Hutchinson, where north meets south and...+ Full Story

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About the Roundabout PDF Print E-mail
By Mitchell Hargrave   
Thursday, 29 May 2008
Last Updated ( Thursday, 05 June 2008 )
 

I remember when they first put in the roundabout on 23rd and Severance here in Hutchinson. The only change to the road structure to cause even close to the amount of chaos and confusion to local motorists in my lifetime has been the dual left turning lanes onto 17th from the mall parking lot. 

 

"It's so European," one of my friends said in an effort to assuage my negative comments about the roundabout. "It's so unnecessary," I retorted. In my defense, I was in high school still, so I was negative about everything.

Well, we've had the roundabout for several years now, and everyone's gotten used to it. I did some research into it, trying to find the benefits the roundabout may have provided since it was put into place. I found this interesting document on the K State web site. Before the roundabout, traffic from the Kansas State Fair caused massive amounts of congestions (which I remember). The document also goes on to mention "… 19 right angle crashes in a period from February 21, 1996 to November 28, 1997." I can see how it has done some good.

One question, though: what the heck is that on top of it? I know someone made it, and all, but what is it? I've discussed with it a few people, and they're not sure, either. Whatever it is looks kinda cool, but I think it might be time for a change. The current thing on top has run its course, and I believe we can use the roundabout more to our advantage. With minimal brainstorming and my none-too-prodigious Photoshop skills, I've come up with a couple of ideas:

 

Advertising
I believe the location of the roundabout, namely proximity to the Kansas State Fair, would make it a perfect place to sell advertising space.

 

googleroundabout_thmb.gif

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's show that our town is progressive by approaching the number one internet company about advertising on the roundabout. It's not like they don't have the money.

 

 

Hungry?

 

subwayroundabout_thmb.gif


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I exaggerate. There aren't 15 locations. You get the idea of this one, though.

 

 

Put it to work

 

paydayroundabout_thmb.gif


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let's turn it into a convenient stop for anyone interested in a payday advance loan. Those things are already spreading like a bad rash.


So those are my ideas. In case you haven't caught on yet, I really didn't have anything important or useful to write about, so I decided to go with ridiculous. I hope you've enjoyed it, and, most importantly, I hope you realize that I'm not seriously mental.



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Users' Comments (20)RSS feed comment
Posted by patsyterrell
05-29-2008 13:38, , Registered
 
You may have done more to encourage people to appreciate the art at the roundabout than anyone in the art community has been able to do since it went up.  
 
While I love the idea of google investing in our community, hopefully we can find a better way. Nice artist's rendering there, though. I love the delicate balance on the Google logo. You obviously have an artist's eye.  
 
There's an interesting story about the artist's thoughts when that was created, but I'm not the person to tell it. Someone else will do a better job and hopefully they'll chime in here soon.
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by Jason Depew
05-29-2008 14:00, , Registered
 
That was very amusing. Thank you.
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by mitchellhargrave
05-29-2008 14:05, , Registered
 
I'm not sure if you mean I've done more to encourage people to appreciate the art of the roundabout because I painted it in an ironically positive light (which I'd hoped to do) or because my ideas were so bad, that others will now be glad for what they have. Either way, I'm glad to do it. 
 
I sincerely hope someone does chime in with the artist's thoughts while creating it. I'd be interested in knowing
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by patsyterrell
05-29-2008 16:30, , Registered
 
I was thinking more of the "ironically positive light" way... but whatever you like.
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by aj barnes
05-29-2008 23:15, , Guest
 
I don't know why I know this but before they decided to put that "sculpture" (if you will) on the round about, the city of Hutchinson was actually putting a giant statue of a Prairie Dog. 
 
Imagine the accidents that would have caused...
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by Bobulele
05-30-2008 08:43, , Registered
 
What about just having actual prairie dogs living in the center? That wouldn't be distracting would it.  
 
I have always appreciated the round-a-bout. I think I was 1 of 2 people who spoke in favor of it at the Council meeting before the final vote. I very eloquently stated that I thought it would be "a lot of fun" and it is!  
 
I was against having art or landscaping in the middle though. It seemed like it would make it less safe. However since then I don't think it has affected the navigation much at all. 
 
Peace!
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by karen
05-30-2008 10:44, , Guest
 
I wish it were a little bigger so you could actually drift around it......that would be fun.
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by patsyterrell
05-30-2008 10:51, , Registered
 
I loved the idea of the roundabout. Not only is it fun - which I do think should be considered in such decisions - who doesn't need more fun in life... but it also just makes sense for traffic flow. I would love to have one at that weird intersection at Plum and Fourth.
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by mitchellhargrave
05-30-2008 11:07, , Registered
 
I wonder if a series of roundabouts could fix the 11th and K61 intersection. Could you imagine how complex that would have to be?
 
» Reply to this comment...
 
Posted by patsyterrell
05-30-2008 11:14, , Registered
 
I doubt that would work on K-61 just because of the speed concerns. Although, of course, in England roundabouts are everywhere instead of our typical interstate exits. We just haven't made the jump yet to thinking about them here.
 
» Reply to this comment...
 

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