The Lewiston City Council will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m., on September 14, 2020 to accept your testimony on the proposed ADA Transition Plan.
Introduction and Public Hearing Details
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires the City of Lewiston to adopt an ADA Transition Plan to set forth an inventory of public rights-of-way (presence of sidewalks, pedestrian ramps and self-activated crossing lights) and public buildings (accessible parking paths to buildings and paths through buildings). Identified needs in the rights-of-way have been prioritized by the City of Lewiston’s Disabilities Advisory Commission and will be further discussed by the City Council. This Plan will lay out which ADA projects will be funded in the future.
A public hearing on the proposed ADA Transition Plan will be held on the second floor of the Lewiston City Library, 411 D Street, Lewiston, Idaho, at 6:00 p.m., on September 14, 2020. All citizens are invited to review the document and attend the public hearing at the location stated above. Due to social distancing regulations regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patrons attending in person will be limited. Seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. All others wishing to observe the meeting may do so by visiting the city’s Facebook Page or website. Citizen comments can also be provided by calling 208-746-3676 and leaving a voice message. Your comments will then be forwarded to the City Council.
For more information, please contact the Lewiston Community Development Department at 208-746-1318, 215 D Street, Lewiston, Idaho, 83501.
Background Information
The Americans with Disabilities Act was adopted in 1990 to require equal access to persons of all abilities. A key piece of the Act requires all levels of government to prepare a self-evaluation; an inventory of their level of compliance. In the case of Lewiston, the City operates many facilities and services that are subject to the ADA. The transportation network (right of way), public buildings, parks, recreational programs, public transportation, the City’s website and employment opportunities are all examples of what must comply with the ADA. The ADA Transition Plan to be considered by the Lewiston City Council, focuses on Title II, rights-of-way and public buildings and structures.
Understanding the Transition Plan
A Transition Plan starts with an inventory of the public rights-of-way and buildings, and whether they are fully accessible to persons in wheelchairs, those whom experience low vision, or other disabilities. After inventory is taken, priorities are established for improvements to transition the systems into full compliance over time. Progress is measured each year in an annual report that becomes part of the record. The heat map below shows priority corridors and was put together after stakeholder input and an analysis of the most frequented destinations for Transit Dial A Ride customers. The map is intended to reflect key locations for accessing goods and services, particularly governmental and medical services.
The plan outlines a need of over 120 million dollars to bring the major road system into compliance, therefore priorities have to be established. Ten corridors have been identified as having the highest priority, including Main Street, Thain Road/21st Street, and Ninth Street from D Street to Bryden Avenue. Working through these ten projects is estimated to cost 41.5 million dollars and will take many, many years to complete.
As part of this plan, all city-owned buildings (24) and structures (38) have been evaluated for accessibility. Lewiston’s building inventory has been subject to regular ADA upgrades and has a 72% compliance rate. For a city with many old and historic buildings, that is quite an accomplishment.
The plan provides a roadmap to make the city street system and buildings better for everyone.