A large crowd filled Ravenswood City Hall in an effort to convince council to take steps to make the NYA Hall handicap accessible.

Prior to the meeting, Mayor Lucy Harbert received a letter from Janet Lemley, a citizen who has difficulty attending events at the NYA because she uses a walker. It informed Harbert that another letter explaining that the facility did not meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements had been sent to the county commission as well as the Department of Disability and Attorney General’s office in Washington, D.C.

The letter mailed to Washington, D.C. indicates council has voted against measures to bring the NYA Hall into compatibility or has “(slid) it under the carpet.” A petition with signatures of those who want to see the facility made ADA compatible accompanied that letter.

Kathy Garrett, recorder, said she was offended by the letter. She said the city has never swept the issue under the rug, nor voted one way or another on the issue, because the city “has never had that humongous amount of money.”

Judy Wiseman, councilwoman, explained the city has looked into ways of making the building handicap accessible. Eight years ago, Wiseman said, the city looked into installing an elevator.
However, an elevator alone, not including installation and other work that would be required to the building, was going to cost $80,000. Efforts were also made to obtain grants for the project, but the grants required a significant match the city could not afford.

In addition to the cost of an elevator, as well as other measures that have been examined, Harbert said the city operates the NYA Hall at a loss. She said between October and February last year, the city collected $650 in rental fees on the building. The utilities paid by the city, however, cost $2,667.18.

Garrett added the building is also on the National Register of Historic Places and, therefore, structural changes cannot be made to it. In addition to a handicap accessible entrance, the restrooms would also need to be made ADA accessible to be in full compliance.

Those nearly 30 people who attended the meeting offered suggestions and concerns throughout the discussion. Someone said the ADA overrules other guidelines, such as those set by historical departments.

Also mentioned was a chairlift on the outside steps and a ramp to the door. Another said the American Civil Liberties Union has assured grant money is available for the project.
But after the discussion got heated, Wiseman said the meeting had taken “an antagonistic tone” and that people need to work together to find a solution.

Harbert said people who rent the NYA Hall are aware the facility is not accessible for everyone and said she would love to be able to build a nice, one-story community building at the park. She also suggested other locations they may try for their Thursday night gatherings in the meantime.
Garrett said since accessing the hall is dangerous and difficult for some, and operating the facility actually costs the city money, perhaps the city should consider closing it. “Once this letter reaches D. C., I’m sure we will be (shut down),” she said.

Lemley said she would contact Harbert with the number for the ACLU so that she can contact them concerning a grant. Prior to leaving the meeting, the group had already found an alternate location for their weekly gatherings for the winter months.