Kelly letter to AAB regarding Huntington bricks

Posted by John Kelly

I sent this letter to Thomas Hopkins, the director of the Architectural Access Board on October 7, 2007.

Dear Mr. Hopkins:

Thank you and the Access Board for enforcing the access regulations of the Commonwealth. Your steadfastness over the last three years regarding the unsafe conditions on Huntington Avenue has brought the City of Boston a momentous opportunity: It can choose to protect public safety, honor civil rights, and save limited funds by restoring Huntington Avenue with smooth, accessible concrete; or, it can stiff the public with a dangerous, oppressive, and expensive all-brick sidewalk for decades to come.

Your fine levied on the City since November, 2005, has now climbed over $340,000. As the principal complaintant, I request that you allow the city of Boston, in consultation with residents with disabilities, the MBTA, and the state of Massachusetts (both of whom supported the introduction of the bricks), to put that money towards the concrete restoration of the Avenue. Rehabilitation will cost an estimated $384,000. The Boston Center for Independent Living, which cosigned the original complaint in August 2004, supports my proposal. We believe that the three parties can find the necessary additional funds to both serve the people and -- in the long run -- save their money. It is an outcome in which everyone wins.

It is impossible to describe the feeling of anticipation among people with disabilities who live, work, and visit in the area. We hopefully await the opportunity to travel along Huntington Avenue once again, free of pain and danger caused by the rough, vibratory bricks. No more head, neck, back and stomach-aches. No more bloody falls from canes or feet caught by protruding bricks. No more car sickness, impaired vision, or spasms. No more loss of control, whether of our wheelchairs or bladders. As resident Billie Tyler has said, the prospect of smooth sidewalks "would be like living in another world." We could actually go where we want!

The Access Board's role in bringing back Huntington Avenue to universal use would admirably fulfill its founding purpose "to provide persons with disabilities full, free and safe use of all buildings and facilities so that all such persons may have the educational, living and recreational opportunities necessary to be as self-sufficient as possible and to assume full responsibilities as citizens."

Thank you very much,

John Kelly