The state of our sidewalks has been a topic of concern and discussion for at least the past two decades. For almost two years now, the Common Council Legal Committee has been working on legislation to effect improvements to sidewalks throughout the city. It was set aside to focus on short term rental regulations, but now it is likely to be front and center once again. Needless to say, the sidewalks present a huge problem for ADA compliance in the city.
The sidewalk audit will review sidewalks between Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, Promenade Hill Park, City Hall, the Youth Center, the Senior Center, Oakdale Park, the Central Fire Station, and the Police Station. The audit will report on sidewalk and curb ramp barriers and will list the location of the barrier, the barrier, and how the barrier is not in compliance with ADA standards.The audit is required by the October 2019 settlement agreement between the Department of Justice and the City of Hudson as a consequence of the lawsuit that was brought against the City. To read the entire announcement about the audit from the mayor's office, click here.
lets face it. the sidewalks of Hudson have never been uniformly managed by the city. the idea was that each owner had the responsibility to keep the sidewalks repaired, but with no uniform guidelines. in an earlier time that may have worked.
ReplyDeletethe sidewalks now are dangerous to even the able-bodied. we need a uniform program that the City needs to manage and pay for. in fact, the City can do a good job if allowed to do so.
What a waste of time and money. Leave the sidewalks alone.
ReplyDeleteAre you ignorant or selfish? How are people with disabilities supposed to get around? And as noted, it was due to a lawsuit brought against the city that this is now required. More lawsuits due to neglect are a waste of time an money.
Deletecracks in a sidewalk are not an accesability issue, boarding the Amtrak Train is. Focus on actual problems.
Deleteindeed, in todays litigious world the liability may lay with both the city and the homeowner. tripping on cracks, uneven pavement, and other obstacles can mean high dollar lawsuits that no-one wants or can afford.
DeleteThe people of Hudson speak loudly about everyone's individual rights, and therefore, both people able bodied and disabled should have the right to smooth and safe sidewalks, no matter what the cost.
curious... Walk around the city, there are plenty of cracks and elements of disrepair that would cause problems for a wheelchair or even someone with a cane or crutches. Boarding the Amtrak train is Amtrak's issue, and should be resolved by them. The sidewalks need to function for the people who live and work in Hudson, not just people coming on the train.
Deleteyeah, the city does a great job of keeping pedestrians safe. Tripping hazards all over CITY-OWNED property that go ignored for years. And other hazards on sidewalks thanks to utilities that DPW doesn't bother figuring out who is responsible for. Huge pothole near the sidewalk in municipal parking lot on Warren Street next to MOTO. If this pothole were in the road it would have been filled long ago. Cars damaged? NOT GOOD! Pedestrians falling on their faces? WHATEVER! Enormous metal plate in the middle of the sidewalk on Warren at 4th which is sunken and unstable and slippery when wet, esp with snow. It's not like it became a nasty tripping hazard last week. WHATEVER, the DPW says, it's not ours. This kind of negligence simply does not happen in municipalities that give a crap.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the Hospital? It has the worst sidewalk in town on the Columbia Street side. Prospect side is fairly new and okay.
ReplyDeleteThe sidewalk on the Prospect side is fairly dismal as well - AND the street lamps are all out for a portion of the street near Rossman Avenue.
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