Grant will improve ADA access at Lawrence City Hall

Mar. 1—LAWRENCE — Improved restrooms, accessible office counters and signage for the visually-impaired are coming to City Hall courtesy of a disability access grant.

The $247,000 in grant money is earmarked for specific accessibility improvements at City Hall at 200 Common St., said Richard Rodriguez, the city's Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator.

The grant money, which Rodriguez applied for through his City Hall role, will also fund American Sign Language interpreters at public meetings, he said.

The city did not have to provide matching funds, which are required with some grants, to receive the money, said Rodriguez, who is an attorney.

"It's 100 percent state money which is great news," Rodriguez said.

At 175 years old, City Hall has presented a variety of accessibility challenges over the years due to its advanced age.

The City Hall elevator was notorious for mechanical issues and getting stuck. But Rodriguez said the elevator was brought up to code using $200,000 in city funds about 18 months ago.

Rodriguez also said efforts are underway to streamline the process for residents to receive designated handicapped parking spaces on city streets near their homes. The process now takes months but Rodriguez said he's trying to boil down the permitting to just a few weeks through use of an independent board.

Mayor Brian DePena and a host of local and state officials will officially accept the grant money Friday morning during a visit from the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability Mary Mahon McCauley.

This grants support "capital improvements specifically dedicated to improving programmatic access and/or removing barriers encountered by persons with disabilities in applicant facilities throughout the Commonwealth.

The MOD recognizes that architectural and programmatic barriers to facilities and services exist throughout many municipal buildings in Massachusetts.

The office strives to work with communities to fulfill ADA obligations and increase access and opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Rodriguez explained disabilities can be both physical and mental.

He can be reached at City Hall at (978) 620-3312 or Richard.rodriguez@Cityoflawrence.com.

Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter @EagleTribJill.

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