GRAND HAVEN (WWJ) - At first it was a leather recliner that occupied a gaping pothole on North Beacon in Grand Haven -- then it was replaced with a more traditional chair before being joined by crude flooring, a Christmas tree, some speakers and a rolling chair.
The giant West Michigan pothole and its living room set-up shot to social media fame over the holidays -- and eventually caught the attention of a business owner who properly filled in the gigantic road fissure this week.
The pothole gained its stardom not long after Cory Denny, who works near the pothole took up residence, posted a photo of himself lounging in a recliner inside the pothole to local Facebook group Grand Haven Informed.
The page is a private group, but one social media user made some of the photos available here.
Local residents had gotten fed up with the road hazard, which Denny called a major that "nobody’s taking responsibility for."
"If you know, you know," he wrote. "Come on Grand Haven, when are we going to fix this crater that can fit an entire recliner inside it? I did not put the chair here, he clarified.
"But I find it incredibly hilarious someone did."
Since his post on December 29th, people from around the lakeshore have flocked to the pothole, even creating a line of cars like one poster wrote with others dubbing it "The Eighth Wonder of the World."
Social media users posted their own pictures to Grand Haven Informed while seen "taking care" of the pothole by watering it, using it as a Barbie swimming pool and even as a backdrop for family photoshoots and engagements.
While it's all in good fun, Denny told Fox 17 that the pothole does need to be addressed and hoped all the attention would get the job done.
“It’s a funny joke, and it’s really cool to see everyone come together on it, but the pothole should probably get fixed," Denny said.
Grand Haven's Director of Public Works Derek Gajdos offered comments about the pothole to ABC 13 earlier in the week, stating the road was on private property and therefore it was up to the property owner to fix it.
That's where longtime local and business owner Bode Wilson stepped in after seeing the pothole on social media.
"It was like, an issue with he community," Wilson told ABC 13. "I've lived here my whole life and I just saw that it was, everybody was making a ruckus about it. So I figured I would come out here and fix it."
Wilson, who started BCubed_PropertServices last year, said potholes are known to cause damage -- and end up hitting drivers' wallets hard if they end up falling victim to one.
"We came out here and got it fixed," he added. "Big potholes like that can cost you a lot of money."
While the fun maybe over, Michigan's dreaded pothole season is still looming overhead with February typically ushers in the beginning of pothole season in Michigan.
According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, potholes form when moisture seeps into the pavement and freezes, causing the ground to expand and push the pavement up creating a gap.
"As temperatures rise, the ground returns to normal level creating a void or gap between the pavement and ground below it," MDOT explained. "When vehicles drive over the gap, the pavement weakens leading to a pothole."
While potholes aren't a new development in the state -- in fact we're infamous for it -- encountering one can still be a frustrating experience. MDOT recommends the following tips that can help drivers deal with potholes:
Be Alert
Stating the obvious, it is best to avoid hitting potholes whenever possible. That is easier to do if you are driving cautiously and not tailgating, which allows you more time to see and react to any approaching potholes.
Unfortunately, potholes are not always obvious in the daylight and they are even harder to spot in the dark. Make sure your headlights are working and your windshield is clear. Also, be extra cautious around puddles because it could be a pothole filled with water. Lastly, keep a firm grip on your steering wheel because potholes can cause your vehicle to change direction suddenly.
Potholes can cause your vehicle to change direction suddenly. Do not swerve into an occupied lane, which could lead to a collision causing further damage or injury.
Vehicle Maintenance
Hitting a pothole can damage your vehicle. However, there are some things you can do to keep it to a minimum.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Over- or under-inflated tires fare worse when they tangle with a pothole. Tires showing excessive wear or bulges in the sidewalls will not hold up as well to potholes, either.
Have a qualified mechanic check your vehicle's suspension and steering components. Steering that is in good condition and responsive can help you avoid hitting potholes. Shocks, struts, and springs that are in good condition can help cushion the blow.
Driving Technique
If you spot a pothole ahead and cannot safely steer to avoid it, it is best to slow down, straighten your wheel to hit it squarely, release the brakes, and roll through. This helps to reduce the speed at impact and give your suspension the full range of travel to absorb the impact.
Hitting a pothole at an angle can transfer the energy of impact in ways more likely to damage your vehicle.
Hitting a Pothole
Tire and wheel damage are common in pothole hits. Be sure to look your vehicle over for obvious signs of damage. If your car is pulling one way or the other, you may need to get your steering realigned. If your vehicle is "bottoming out" or bouncing, you may have a damaged suspension. If these are occurring, you should have your vehicle checked out and repaired by a qualified mechanic.
Remember: A properly maintained vehicle can help you avoid road hazards.
Report It
Whether you hit a pothole or you missed it, you can save your fellow motorists the headache and costs of repairs by reporting it.
If the pothole is located on a city street or county road, report it to your city public works department or county road commission.
If the pothole is located on a state trunkline (M, I, or US route), report it via the online form or call the Pothole Hotline at 888-296-4546.