A seven year problem that has yet to be fixed
In June 2019, Mike Zinkin in a Watchdog Report in LOVE observed that funds had been approved in the budget for an elevator at the Community Center... an elevator that would have substantially improved accessibility for the mobility challenged. Zinkin, at that time, also observed that that money had yet been spent: “We have owned this property since May 2015 and it is still not mobility challenged compliant. Why isn’t the Town Manager funding an elevator for the Community Center? Does anyone care about our citizens who are disabled and currently have to enter the building through the loading dock?”
Yesterday, in his guest view, Zinkin once again noted that that money had yet to be spent. Zinkin has been championing getting the facility mobility challenged friendly since 2015.
It is March 2022, almost seven years since the town acquired the building and nothing has been done at the community center to make it mobility challenged friendly.
It is March 2022, almost seven years since the town acquired the building and nothing has been done at the community center to make it mobility challenged friendly.
"Walk the Walk"... Access is terrible today
Several weeks ago in his Oro Valley Podcast, Jim Horn took us on a walk on what is now the only way mobility challenged individuals can access to the Community Center. He included it in his podcast (right).Horn brought this to the attention of the Town Council during the "Call To Audience segment" of the March 16 meeting (See video below-left). He referred to several messages that he had received in response to his podcast, messages that disparaged the Council for not acting to make the Center mobility challenged friendly.
Others spoke on the same matter at the meeting
Former council member and now council candidate Bill Rodman reviewed the history of the matter, reflecting on the fact that $750,000 have been appropriated by this council. He observed, as others had, that that money was never spent. He said that it was a matter of the current council’s priority.
Council Member Bohen: "Improvement should have happened long ago"
Council Member Tim Bohen has been on council for more than a year. "I have no idea why compatibility features were not immediately done" once the town purchased the property in 2016.
Bohen asserts that the town manager has simply not done her job. After all, she did not get the elevator built though the budget included 750,000 last year. "My support for splitting the golf half percent dedicated sales tax was because I did not trust the town manager's ability to manage projects. She did nothing with these sales tax funds other than to pay for keeping the golf courses operating."
What is the current plan?
Bohen is not aware of a plan to do any infrastructure project at the Community Center, let alone improving access for the mobility challenged.
We asked Town Manager Jacobs what will be done, when it will be done, and what is the cost.
Next Wednesday: The town's response
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