Michigan Cities to Improve Accessibility at Rail Stations

Four cities settled lawsuits citing a lack of ADA compliance at their intercity rail stations.

1 minute read

February 10, 2023, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Four Michigan cities will bring their rail stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) after settling lawsuits, reports Marie Weidmayer in M Live.

Kalamazoo, Holland, Bangor, and Dowagiac are tasked with resolving their ADA violations within the next three years. The necessary changes apply to station platforms, waiting areas, restrooms, and other parts of the stations. According to the article, “Issues at the Kalamazoo station, 459 N. Burdick St., included the fact that there was no accessible route to the building’s accessible entrance from the public right of way, public transit, accessible parking and passenger loading, MLive previously reported.”

Accessibility improvements are coming to rail stations around the country. “The U.S. Department of Justice reached a settlement in December 2020 with Amtrak about accessibility and all of those changes are designed to ensure people with disabilities have equal access to transportation,” Weidmayer explains. 

Thursday, February 9, 2023 in M Live

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

New York MTA subway station

Off-Peak is the New On-Peak

Public transit systems in major U.S. cities are starting to focus on non-rush hour travelers as pre-pandemic commuting patterns shift and transportation needs change.

May 19, 2023 - Curbed

Nighttime view of Tacoma, Washington skyline

Tacoma Coalition Calls for ‘Tenants’ Bill of Rights’

The group wants to put more power in the hands of tenants, but the city has its own, competing proposal for addressing the housing crisis.

May 26 - The Urbanist

Wind turbines sillhouetted against a sunset sky along roadway in New Mexico

New Power Transmission Line Approved in the Southwest

The proposed transmission line will transfer wind-produced power from New Mexico to cities in Arizona and California.

May 26 - U.S. News And World Report

Aerial view of 238 freeway in Oakland, California cutting through neighborhood with small houses

The Limitations of ‘Reconnecting Communities’

The Biden administration has pledged to correct the damage imposed on communities by highways and infrastructure, but many projects are only committing to minor improvements, not transformative changes.

May 26 - The New York Times

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.