The city of Seattle has finally been compelled to maintain pedestrian infrastructure in keeping with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ryan Packer reports that the city of Seattle settled a class action lawsuit in U.S. District court alleging that the city is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, "based on the current number of intersections that are lacking proper curb ramps and the fact that many intersections have curb cuts that are substandard."
"Under the settlement, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) will be required to build 1,250 curb ramps every single year, adding up to a commitment to install 22,500 over the next 18 years," reports Packer. That pace will double the city's total number of curb cuts by the year 2035.
The article digs much deeper into the subject of curb cuts, their costs, and the lack of political will to construct the important feature of complete streets infrastructure (shown to benefit broad cross sections of the public). The court decision will also impact the spending allotments made from the Move Seattle levy, as approved by voters in November 2015 and planned in the draft Pedestrian Master Plan released in March 2017.
Read the full story: Disability Rights Victory Means Curb Cut Deluge Coming
Why Accessible Sidewalks Fall by the Wayside
Despite the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act more than 30 years ago, most U.S. cities delay making accessibility improvements to sidewalks until activists bring them to court.
'Project Sidewalk' Crowdsources ADA Compliance
A crowdsourcing app allows citizens to hold the public realm to higher standards of access and mobility.
Commentary: LA’s ‘Large Asphalt Repair’ Policy Privileges Drivers, Endangers Others
A new policy to perform spot repairs rather than resurfacing entire streets lets the city skirt requirements to install accessibility and pedestrian infrastructure.
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
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
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.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority