Resident urges ramp at Barnes Street Activity Center; council asks staff to review

Susan Brown, a Florence resident, asked the Florence City Council at its meeting to install a new handicap ramp directly from the front entrance of the Barnes Street Activity Center to the designated accessible parking spaces.

Brown said the building currently “meets ADA requirements” but that the existing ramp is located some distance from the entrance and requires users who rely on walkers or canes to travel a longer route, cross a curb and re‑enter the building. “It becomes more than just an inconvenience. It becomes a risk,” she said, describing her sister Kathy’s limited mobility and dozens of falls over the past few years.

Council members asked questions about the scope of Brown’s request and whether the facility is technically in compliance with federal accessibility law. Councilman Zach McKay, who said he inspected the site before the meeting, told the council he found the pathway “a very tight spot” and agreed Brown’s concerns warranted review. “My wheelchair could not fit from where you go to the ramp and then come around the building, to the front door,” McKay said.

Council members directed the city manager and staff to review the site and consult with Councilman McKay, then report back to council at a later meeting. No formal motion was recorded; the transcript shows staff agreed to follow up. City staff asked Brown to provide photos if possible—Brown said she did not have time to take them before the meeting but welcomed staff inspection.

Why it matters: the Barnes Street Activity Center hosts senior programs, including classes Brown described as important for older residents’ health and social participation. Council members framed the item as a local safety and accessibility concern that staff can address administratively if changes are feasible and consistent with applicable codes.

Clarifying details from the meeting: Brown said she has discussed the issue with city officials since at least March 2022; she described her sister’s mobility decline and said the sister has fallen “30 something times” in recent years. Councilman McKay said his own wheelchair would not fit the current path from handicap parking to the front door. Staff and council referenced ADA standards generally when discussing compliance; staff did not state a definitive legal finding at the meeting.

Next steps: city staff will inspect the Barnes Street Activity Center site, consult with Councilman McKay, and provide findings or options at a future council meeting. No timeline was specified.