City council approves $399,195 contract to upgrade ADA ramps, repair sidewalks

Charleston City Council on Tuesday approved a $399,195 contract with SQP Construction Group Inc. to repair sidewalks and install Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps at several intersections across the city.

The contract authorizes the mayor or city manager to execute the agreement after a competitive bid process. The council’s finance committee recommended adoption.

City staff said the work is focused on making intersections ADA-accessible and improving sidewalks in targeted locations. “From our CDGB funding, and this is specifically for the ADA accessible ramps on the intersections,” City Manager Michelle said, clarifying the source of the funding and purpose of the project.

During discussion, council members requested an overview of where the work will occur. A staff member reading the list identified multiple streets and alleys slated for work, including Beatrice Avenue; Seventh Avenue; Virginia Street West; Ohio Avenue; Pennsylvania Avenue; Mary Street; Spring Street; Shrewsbury Street and its alley; John Norman Street; Lewis Street (various blocks); Maxwell and Dixie; and McClung and Carolina.

Councilmember Solomon pressed for funding details; Michelle apologized for not attaching the full exhibit to the resolution packet and said she would provide the list used to plan the work. She described the funding as coming from the city’s CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) program and distinguished ramp work from homeowners’ responsibility for sidewalks in some cases.

The council adopted Resolution 25-089 without a recorded roll-call tally in the public discussion. The administration said the contract was awarded to the low responsible bidder following the competitive process.