Portland to Upgrade Sidewalks in ADA Settlement

The city will survey every one of its 37,000 street corners for compliance.

1 minute read

May 22, 2018, 11:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


Portland Sidewalk

brian legate / Shutterstock

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.

Thursday, May 10, 2018 in Oregon Live

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.