The city will survey every one of its 37,000 street corners for compliance.
To settle a class-action lawsuit brought by disabled residents, the city of Portland has pledged to upgrade more than 16,000 sidewalk ramps citywide.
The city will also survey every street corner to ensure compliance with the American Disabilities Act, and begin including sidewalk ramps in new road construction, Gordon Friedman writes in Oregon Live. A technical adviser will be appointed to oversee the city's progress over the next 12 years.
The changes come in response to a lawsuit brought by wheelchair users and disability rights advocates, who charged the city with failing to comply with the ADA. Many cities have faced similar suits as they struggle to keep up with badly needed sidewalk repair–"but Portland is a particularly egregious offender," Friedman reports. In 2012, fewer than half of the city's street corners were outfitted with a ramp.
Read the full story: Portland to settle with wheelchair users for $113 million in sidewalk fixes
Chicago Residents Sue City Over Inaccessible Sidewalks
The suit alleges the city has failed to create a “coordinated, proactive system” for complying with ADA and ensuring accessibility on the city’s sidewalks and crosswalks.
Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan
The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.
Baltimore Ordered to Improve Sidewalk Accessibility
The city is one of many to face lawsuits for failing to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
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Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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