Council weighs options to address $74 million accessibility backlog
During its August 25th Work Session, Council reviewed recommendations for making accessibility improvements at Lexington's parks and facilities.
According to findings from WT Group AEC, it's a big job. The consultant's final report identified approximately 19,430 accessibility barriers across 188 city sites, requiring more than $74 million in fixes over three separate phases. The consultant is recommending an implementation timeline of 20 years, and that the city should set aside money for the projects in every budget to make steady progress.
More broadly, the report also recommends several operational improvements to build accessibility into how the city engages with residents and does its work. Examples include developing ongoing Americans with Disabilities Act trainings for city staff and building accessibility into its design, procurement and maintenance practices.
In recent years, Council has been working to develop an "ADA Transition Plan". The idea is to map out improvements the city needs to make so that people with disabilities can more fully participate in the various programs, services, activities, and facilities it offers.
You can review the full plan and its supplemental documents on the city's website at this link.
The presentation drew several questions from Councilmembers, who asked city staff about plans for implementing its recommendations and ways to pay for the accessibility fixes. The overall cost for the improvements – including optional costs and smart practices – amounts to $119,056,253, according to the consultant's presentation.
How will the city put the plan into action?
Erin Hensley, the city's Finance Commissioner, addressed questions from Councilmembers about how these projects could be paid for.
As Hensley explained, the city would be able to bond – or take on debt – for improvements that involve replacing existing assets. The city's new Parks Fund, which voters approved a new tax for in 2024, would also be an option in that case.
However, if repairs are needed to make an accessibility improvement, that would require an expense and must be built into Lexington's operating budget. It could not be financed with a bond, Hensley said.
Councilmembers and city staff alike will need to carefully consider how to pay for these projects going forward, Hensley added.
"To incorporate that in our otherwise fully packed budget is going to be quite a challenge," Hensley said.
Project consultant WT Group AEC also identified several potential funding strategies, including:
- Congressionally directed spending
- Community Development Block Grant funds
- State grants
- State discretionary funds
- Blend the ADA Transition Plan with the city's Capital Improvement Plan
- Land & Water Conservation Fund
- Recreational Trails Program
- Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program
In Lexington's most recently adopted budget, Council directed an additional $1.5 million to help implement the ADA Transition Plan.
During Council's Work Session, Commissioner of General Services Chris Ford said his division will oversee the retrofits themselves, more specifically the city's Facilities and Fleet Management Department and Parks and Recreation.
A committee is working to identify priorities for that $1.5 million Council allocated in the adopted fiscal year 2027 budget, Ford said.
What's next?
The Council will receive periodic updates about the project and its progress. 5th District Councilmember Liz Sheehan said the first of those reports could come before Council early next year.
You can read materials for this meeting here and the full ADA Transition Plan at this link. Reach out to your Councilmember with your perspective. Find their contact information here.
You can also check for vacancies on the Access Lexington Commission as spots open up. A standing list of Boards and Commissions vacancies is available here.