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Riverwalk Accessibility changesMEMORANDUM August 14, 2002 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager Riverwalk Accessibility Recently City staff became aware of a citizen concern about the accessibility of the surface of the River's Edge Plaza. This person indicated that the plaza was difficult for older persons and wheelchair users to maneuver, due to the roughness in texture and the frequency of joints. In response, staff discussed the issue with our ADA Advisory Committee and requested that committee member Bob Lehnhardt, who uses a wheelchair, assist us in evaluating the usability of the Plaza and Riverwalk. Since the Riverwalk has not yet been poured, Human Rights Director Kelly Larson recommends that we utilize a broom finish, rather than a slate finish, on the buff-colored portion of the walk. With respect to the red band, it is recommended that it be textured to the least extent possible so that we may have a surface as smooth as possible, while preserving the aesthetic consistency of the project. This will result in a reasonably smooth path of travel that is interrupted every ten feet by a 2' swath of slightly textured red concrete. I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council approval to execute a change order on the contract. Michael C. Van Milligen MCVM/jh Attachment cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director ~0 © CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA MEMORANDUM August 14, 2002 To: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager From: Kelly Larson, Human Rights Director Subject: Riverwalk Accessibility The purpose of this memorandum is to recommend design changes to the portion of the Riverwalk yet to be completed, in order to improve accessibility for older persons and persons using wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility devices. Back.qround Recently, I became aware of a citizen concern about the accessibility of the surface of the River's Edge Plaza. This person indicated that the plaza was difficult for older persons and wheelchair users to maneuver, due to the roughness in texture and the frequency of joints. I reviewed the current Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG), which require surfaces to be firm, stable, and slip resistant, with unbeveled changes in level no greater than ¼ inch. There is no smoothness requirement, though there is commentary in the appendix related to difficulty of maneuverability for people with mobility and/or gait impairments when a surface is irregular. I believe the River's Edge Plaza and Riverwalk near the Diamond Jo are in accord with the current law, though there is admittedly very little guidance in the current ADAAG related to surface smoothness. I also discussed the issue with our ADA Advisory Committee, and we requested that committee member Bob Lehnhardt, who uses a wheelchair, assist us in evaluating the usability of the Plaza and Riverwalk. Bob and I, along with Gus Psihoyos, visited the completed portion of the Riverwalk near the Diamond Jo Casino on two occasions. Bob indicated that the lack of smoothness causes bumpiness for a user of a chair, and could be a tripping hazard for an older person or someone who uses a walker or crutches. In addition, the wheels of the chair tend to follow the grooves caused by the slate texturing, requiring more exertion to keep the wheelchair moving along a straight path. Thus, the rough texture is of particular concern along the Riverwalk itself, where someone would be traveling a significant distance. Because the bulk of the Riverwalk has not been poured, I recommend that we alter the design to improve accessibility of the walk. The current design is a repeating pattern, consisting of a 10'x 11' path of buff colored concrete that is completely surrounded by a 2' band of red concrete that crosses the path of travel. Under the current plans, all of the concrete is textured with the slate finish. The preferable finish for improved accessibility would be a broom finish. I understand, however, that it is not feasible to use a broom finish on the red concrete due to the method that is used to obtain the deep color. Recommendation I recommend that we utilize a broom finish, rather than a slate finish, on the buff colored portion of the walk. With respect to the red band, I recommend that it be textured to the least extent possible so that we may have a surface as smooth as possible while preserving the aesthetic consistency of the project. This will result in a reasonably smooth path of travel that is interrupted every ten feet by a 2' swath of slightly textured red concrete. RED COLORED CONCRETE SLATE TEXTURE FINISH '-'~ ''--'t'' .. ;.... ',. · . _.%'. · .... ~... ;:..~_' ..'~ .~ .f ·..-,,. , ..... ~,~ BUFF COLORED OONORETE BROOM FINIBB RIVERWALK 8URFAOE DETAIL ALLIANT ENERGY AMPHITHEATRE ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS NORTH SITE LOCATION MAP NOT TO SCALE RIVER'S EDGE PLAZA PURPOSE: ACCESSIBLE RIVERWALK LOCATIONS EXHIBIT