Danbury commission urges accessibility be built into downtown Revitalization Project

At its Jan. 14 meeting, the City of Danbury Commission for Persons with Disabilities urged city leaders to ensure the downtown Revitalization Project includes accessible sidewalks and curb ramps, citing sections of the downtown where sidewalk disrepair limits mobility for people with disabilities.

Chair John Gentile said recent coverage in a local News‑Times article described planned sidewalk upgrades as part of a city revitalization effort and asked whether Mayor Jordan or Farley Santos would like to speak with the commission about project plans. Guest Isabel Domber raised the condition of downtown sidewalks and said the commission should make sure the project explicitly includes access and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Members noted related access work the commission is tracking, including ongoing attention to handicap parking enforcement and collaboration on on‑demand transportation. Chair Gentile reported he attended a Bridgeport Commission for Persons with Disabilities meeting and described an intent to pursue regional collaboration on transportation; he said he will invite Danbury members to future Bridgeport meetings.

The commission did not take a formal vote or adopt a position on the Revitalization Project during the meeting. John Gentile said the commission will continue to pursue the issue and encouraged members to document accomplishments that can be included for the commission's forthcoming four‑year review by the City Council.

The commission set its next meeting for March 11, 2025.