We’re tired of waiting for accessible crosswalks, City of Athens

To the editor:

Dear Athens Historic Preservation Commission, City Council, and City Administration:

The Athens City Commission on Disabilities understands that certain Athens County residents are continuing to attempt to prevent accessible crosswalks in the Uptown area. Their efforts continue despite our numerous conversations explaining the accessibility issues, even though we co-signed a letter with the Historic Preservation Commission years ago agreeing that stamped concrete would be in the best interest of the community, and despite the fact the city has put stamped concrete crosswalks in the current bid for the Union/Court Street intersection.

Brick crosswalks, even the one most recently redone at the intersection of Court Street and Union Street, fail to meet the slope, continuous surface, and other federally-regulated provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act–204, 206, 302, 303, and 403, among others–that make them inaccessible. Due to the wear of the bricks and those bricks sinking on unreliable substrates, these crosswalks continue to be an issue for people with and without mobility impairments. The Athens City Commission on Disabilities continues to recommend stamped concrete as the solution for addressing crosswalk accessibility issues.

We believe everyone in our community deserves a voice and we are grateful for open conversation about issues where people have different perspectives. However, this discussion has been exhausted and we are now being forced to repeat the same facts we have offered about brick and stamped concrete. When people choose to hear only what they want to hear, it becomes an endless circular argument that wastes precious time, especially the city administration’s time, which should be focused on getting these upgrades completed. Worst of all, this continued push against accessible crosswalks continues to delay federal compliance for the City of Athens.

Let’s remember that the disabled community is the “third largest market segment in the United States.” In Ohio alone, they are a hidden market that holds between $884 million and $1.4 billion in discretionary funds. They want to spend on shopping, dining, and participating in the Athens economy and community, too.

So many other important issues in our city need our attention; we are asking the City to settle this conversation and continue with the already agreed-upon course of action.

Sincerely,

Davey McNelly, Chairperson
Dr. Dianne Bouvier, Vice-Chairperson
Dr. Allyson Hughes, Secretary
Dr. Carolyn Lewis, Treasurer
Lisa Simpson
Deb Burleigh
Michelle Hahn
Annah Korpi
Athens City Commission on Disabilities
disabilitiescommission@ci.athens.oh.us 740-592-3338