City Engineer Lara Biggs | LinkedIn
City Engineer Lara Biggs | LinkedIn
Evanston City Council continued its ongoing discussions on the planned reopening of a dog beach in the city, including exactly how to ensure the city complies with state and local regulations for off-the-leash parks as well as Americans with Disabilities Act access guidelines for public facilities.
During its Feb. 27 meeting, streamed on YouTube, council discussed some proposed options as the city continues to move toward opening the beach in the spring while also meeting all regulations and guidelines.
City Engineer Lara Biggs discussed the proposals.
"We are as a community, spending the resources necessary to provide additional wheelchairs that are designed for beach use, provide additional mats to go all the way that are removable, that go all the way to the water's edge,” Biggs said. “So that's something that's being implemented, I believe, at every beach.”
It was noted during the meeting that the city has teamed up with SmithGroup on the project, with two proposals for ADA access, one with a price tag of $550,000 that would provide stair access with a safe entrance point, while retaining existing landscaping. A second option, according to council, comes in at $450,000 and provides more space and improved access to the beach and public restrooms, though it does cut across some current walls and removes some landscaping. Council also noted the city has $300,000 in grants to fund a portion of the project.
“There's a roll-out period ... we have to order the materials and everything, but I believe that's already on tap,” Biggs told council.
Council debated the two options and considered feedback from residents, including those who use the beach. Some residents questioned the grade of the ramp and wondered whether it would quickly become covered with sand.
Some residents told council they had concerns about the width of the entrance, which they said was too narrow, which could result in congestion.
Council agreed to give suggestions to the contractors and plans to vote on a final version of the proposal at a later date.
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