Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210312-2D: A Resolution For Sidewalks at high traffic intersections WHEREAS, the community expressed concerns about the accessibility of sidewalks for people that use mobility supports or that are visually impaired. Issues identified included cracks ,potholes/water/electrical holes, just big enough for a wheel or a foot to get stuck in and a lack of accessible corners and lack of audile crossing beacons; WHEREAS, As the population and traffic in Austin increases, the risk to these populations increases; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the City of Austin add audible crosswalk beacons at high pedestrian traffic intersections and repair all broken sidewalks. Sidewalk_MPU_Adopted_06.16.2016_reduced.pdf (austintexas.gov) pg.32-35. As for sidewalks and bus stops will be improved by project connect with cap metro along with On April 26, 2018, Austin City Council adopted a $1.4 billion Corridor Construction Program for nine major Austin corridors. These improvements are receiving funding from the $482 million for corridors that voters approved in the 2016 Mobility Bond. Then Project Connect passed in 2020 for 7.1 billion, do redo and move bus stops, The City should do the same with sidewalks. This recommendation is in alignment with Strategic Outcomes: Government That Works for All and Mobility. Austin developed and adopted the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan to address transportation and mobility over the next 20 years. This plan included plans to improve sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks. Sidewalk prioritization was identified in that plan based on public use (proximity to schools, public transit stops/stations, parks, etc.). Key features of the improvements include universal design when building or re-modeling sidewalks and adding various amenities (vegetation, shade, handrails, benches, etc.). Adding audible beacons would immediately benefit those people with visual impairments. Date of Approval: 03/12/21 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Gene Brooks and Taurean Burt absent. Attest: Lee Nguyen (Mayor’s Committee for people with Disabilities City Co-Staff Liaison)