Handicap spaces inadequate
Currently there are 10 designated handicap parking spaces downtown. Of those, five are van accessible but none are van accessible only.
Two weeks ago Carolyn Cantrell approached officials regarding her disapproval of the 7 cent tax increase. During her statement to officials, she asked that they look into a particular handicap situation that needs the word ‘only.’
‘There are no spaces marked as van accessible only,’ said Cantrell. ‘I need eight feet beside my van. I can’t park in a regular handicap spot. If there are going to be van accessible spots, they should be marked as van accessible only. A disabled person in a car doesn’t need eight feet of extra space.’
Currently, anyone with a handicap tag on their vehicle or a temporary handicap placard in the windshield can park in any handicap designated spot even if that spot is van accessible and a van is not used for transportation.
This situation has led to problems finding a spot for her van.
‘There is nothing I can do if I get downtown and the van accessible spots are taken by cars,’ said Cantrell. ‘Have you ever tried to park in a parallel handicap spot? It’s impossible to do. Those not designated as van accessible just don’t have the room I need.’
This isn’t the first time the city has been approached to look into downtown’s handicap spaces. Back in February of 2006, David Carden brought the lack of handicap parking to the attention of elected officials.
At that time, there were two handicap parking spaces immediately in front of the courthouse and all others were removed during the Main Street construction. There were two more handicap spaces, one on Spring Street and one beside the post office, but neither was part of phase one construction.
The two spaces left in the original design plan were included because the city was legally required to do so. Carden addressed the situation with Public Works director Bill Brock and later Street and Sanitation chairman Jimmy Haley.
Carden, who has a handicapped daughter, contended that the city has a moral responsibility, if not a legal one, to make downtown accessible to handicapped residents who might want to enjoy the downtown area.
After Carden’s request was made, additional spaces were added. There are now two in front of the court house, two beside Citizens Tri-County Bank, one beside the post office, one on Spring Street, one in front of First National Bank, one in front of Dollar General Store and one in front of Vanessa’s Place.
No more handicap spaces are planned for Main Street but more will be added with the Morford Street continuation of the Downtown Economic Revitalization Project. There are no plans to change the existing van accessible spaces to van accessible only.