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City’s Floral Avenue safety measures and Stewart Park ADA upgrades highlighted in facilities review
Summary
The IURA considered a city proposal for raised crosswalks and rapid‑flashing beacons on Floral Avenue and a $100,000 request to make Wharton Studio bathrooms and approaches ADA‑accessible; members asked about coordination with repaving plans, DOT and long‑term maintenance.
The committee reviewed two public‑facilities proposals: a city-sponsored pedestrian-and-cyclist safety plan for Floral Avenue that would install raised crosswalks, rectangular rapid-flashing beacons (RRFBs) and other traffic-calming measures; and an application to make the Wharton Studio building and its approaches in Stewart Park fully ADA‑accessible.
Members questioned whether the city had budgeted the Floral Avenue work or planned it to coincide with larger repaving efforts. Staff and committee members noted the corridor crosses city, town and state jurisdictions and flagged the need to coordinate with state DOT on technical requirements. The city’s attachments (not always included in committee binders) show proposed raised crosswalks at three locations and examples of RRFB installations; staff recommended asking the city to clarify whether beacons are included in the project budget and whether the plan could be scaled to one high‑priority crossing rather than the entire corridor.
On the Wharton Studio ADA application, members supported removing architectural barriers but asked who owns the building and whether other funding or city commitments exist for long‑term maintenance (including snow clearance). Staff said ADA accessibility is an eligible use of CDBG funds in regional parks for removal of barriers, but asked the committee to confirm ownership and whether the project would be sustainable year‑round.
The panel suggested follow-ups to applicants: clarify project budgets and attachments, identify coordination steps with paving and DOT, document ownership and long-term maintenance commitments for park facilities, and supply granular cost breakdowns if the project is to be scaled.
No votes were taken; staff will gather the committee’s questions and request clarifying materials from the applicants ahead of public hearings.
