Members of the county’s Disability Advisory Commission are deeply unhappy with recent local efforts to remove snow and ice from pedestrian pathways.
A recent meeting zeroed in on a lack of attention given to a key entrance to the Bozman Government Center, as well as lingering snow on many curb cuts and sidewalks.
Particularly at issue was the entrance on the Clarendon Blvd side of the Bozman Government Center. While steps up to the entrance were cleared, ramps remained snow-clogged more than two weeks after the storm had ended.
“Unacceptable” is how commission member Bryant Atkins termed the situation at the commission’s Feb. 9 meeting.
The snow-and-ice-covered ramps became a community cause célèbre after a posting on the Arlington Neighbors Helping Each Other Facebook group earlier on Feb. 9.
“Why is Arlington County OK with violating the [Americans with Disabilities Act] and not making public buildings accessible nearly 3 weeks after the snow?” the post asked.
“There were a lot of displeased comments,” Disability Advisory Commission member Andrew An said.
Commission members said that JBG Smith, which leases the Bozman building to the county government, ultimately had responsibility for snow removal — but several said that did not relieve the county government’s responsibilities.
“It’s just an excuse” for the county’s inaction, commission member Elizabeth Priaulx said.
County Board Chair Matt de Ferranti told ARLnow that there were other ADA-accessible entrances to the building, and that county staff contacted JBG Smith “as soon as we were notified” that the ramps were unavailable.
De Ferranti added:
We understand how important safe and accessible pathways are, particularly for individuals who rely on ADA-accessible ramps to enter the Government Center. We appreciate this concern being brought to our attention.
Throughout this winter weather event, our crews and contractors have been working exhaustively to keep roads, neighborhoods and public facilities safe during challenging conditions.
We remain committed to ensuring our public facilities are accessible to everyone and are grateful to community members who alert us when issues arise.
Adding insult to injury, commission members said, was the fact that the Clarendon Blvd entrance also has had broken push buttons to automatically open the doors. Given the weight of the doors, opening them could be difficult for anyone with mobility issues or other challenges.
The Feb. 9 commission meeting also looked at more general responses to the Jan. 24-25 snow/sleet storm.
Atkins said it was “disrespectful” for county and state crews and contractors to plow roads but leave curb cuts and sidewalk areas to fend for themselves.
Crews handling the snow response “did the bare basics and left it at that,” he said.
Atkins said the blame did not lie with those on the front lines of storm response.
“Staff can only do what the higher-ups tell them,” he said.
