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Freeport considers ADA upgrades at Park and Church intersection after first grievance
Summary
City staff reported multiple noncompliant curb ramps at the South Park Boulevard and Church Street intersection and said an ADA grievance has been filed; the ADA commission will make recommendations and the council must approve funding for repairs.
City staff presented a petition and technical review July 14 asking the council to repair curb ramps and accessible paths at the intersection of South Park Boulevard and Church Street after the city’s newly formed ADA commission received a grievance. Public works staff described multiple ramps at the Park‑and‑Church corner as "illegal by ProAg standards" and said the ramps currently send mobility‑impaired pedestrians into traffic because there are no sidewalk connections across some crossing legs. The petitioner lives within about 900 feet of the intersection, staff said, and the corner adjoins St. John’s Church, a clinic and is on a safe‑routes‑to‑school corridor. "The commission can't move forward with any repairs without council approval," the staff presenter said, explaining that grievances are reviewed by the ADA commission and then brought to the council, which makes the final funding decision. Public works staff described technical compliance targets used in the analysis: trunking/tactile domes are required at crossings, cross‑slopes should be under 2 percent, ramp slopes should be below an 8 percent running slope and the street crossing grade should be under 5 percent where measured, and new curb corners typically cost between $12,000 and $20,000 per corner to replace. The presenter said the city has about 1,500 ramps and roughly 25 percent currently meet standards; the city has replaced 322 ramps in the last three years. Alderman Sanders and other council members expressed general support for addressing connectivity and asked staff to keep council informed about funding options. Staff said there is no dedicated budget for the Park‑and‑Church work at present; the next meeting will include a formal repair proposal for council consideration. Staff also said the city plans to revise sidewalk and homeowner programs in 2026 to improve participation in repairs. Several residents, including Sue Cook, supported the upgrades and urged the council to consider small, practical additions such as audible crossing beacons for visually impaired users. Staff noted that federally required truncated domes and ramp geometry must be met when state or federal funds are used on streets, and that the ADA commission’s recommendation will come to council before work can proceed.
