Commission for Citizens with Disabilities urges curb cut, signage and on-street accessible parking at New Bedford YMCA; committee tables for 30 days

The New Bedford Commission for Citizens with Disabilities told the City Council Committee on Public Safety and Neighborhoods on March 11 that the main Water Street entrance to the New Bedford YMCA lacks accessible egress to the interior, leaving patrons who use wheelchairs to travel more than 500 feet to a usable entry at South Second Street.

BG Shanklin, ADA consultant to the commission, summarized the complaints and the commission's subsequent review. The commission documented that the YMCA has about 60 parking spaces, including 12 handicapped spaces, but nine of the designated accessible spaces are located at the Water Street entry where there is no accessible route to the building. Three dedicated accessible spaces are located at the rear on Second Street; the commission said there is inadequate signage to guide patrons to that accessible entrance.

"Anybody who's in a wheelchair who comes to the front entry has to come all the way around the building, which is over 500 feet from front to back," Shanklin told the committee. He said the YMCA repaired a Hoyer lift at one pool after a complaint, but the exterior access problem remains.

Dennis DeMarinis, chairman of the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities, said the Y had been invited to the commission's meetings and the commission had sent a letter to YMCA Executive Director Tara Pacheco but had not received a substantive reply. DeMarinis said the Commission recommends, among other changes, two on-street handicapped spaces controlled by the city, plus a curb cut at the Second Street approach and improved wayfinding signage on YMCA property.

Councilors questioned whether converting on-street spaces would remove regularly used parking for elderly YMCA patrons who already occupy the Water Street spaces early in the morning. Councilor Lopes and others suggested alternative short-term fixes, such as relocating some accessible spaces within the YMCA's lot closer to the Second Street entrance, or closing a driveway to create a small "cul-de-sac" zone behind the building that could host accessible spaces without removing on-street parking.

Councilor Baptiste said the curb cut on South Second Street would require a permit and payment by the YMCA to install; the committee does not control that privately funded permit but can ask the Traffic Commission to consider on-street spaces. Council members said they would send a letter asking the YMCA to install signage on its property and to confirm whether renovation funding is secured; the commission said the YMCA reported seeking funding for a renovation in 2025 but provided no documentation to the committee.

The committee voted to receive the communication and then approved a motion to table the matter for 30 days so council members and the commission can consult with the YMCA, the Traffic Commission and the YMCA director. Councilors asked the commission to provide a recommendation to the Traffic Commission and asked staff to attempt to reach Tara Pacheco for follow-up.