San Antonio forgets ADA compliance in Main Plaza restoration

From KSAT-TV in San Antonio, Texas:

Even though the Main Plaza construction and restoration project is already over budget, the city will have to spend about $250,000 for overall enhancements, including bringing the park to federal disability standards.

Some of the mobility problems at Main Plaza include gravel preventing full wheelchair access (pictured), paving width, sidewalk slope and staircase handrail adjustments for the visually impaired, said Judy Babbitt, the city's disability access officer.

Babbitt said despite repeated e-mails from her to various city staff, she was not consulted in the planning of the Main Plaza construction. Babbitt, a wheelchair-user, said she could have pointed out the various design problems.

About 10 percent of the estimated $250,000 bill will be necessary to bring Main Plaza into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act, Babbitt said, while the remainder would go to include gravel and flagstone paving to allow for easier mobility for the disabled and mobility-impaired.

Various city officials, including city engineer Mike Frisbie, said city officials failed to include Babbitt in the planning.