Letter: Good sidewalks should be city priority

Posted on by Letters
Graphic by Lori Deaton

Reading the city’s website, I was very disappointed that providing for an accessible city is not a priority to this City Council. Providing sidewalks and multiuse paths that connect our city is good for the entire community, regardless of race, education or income.

People in wheelchairs and those with strollers are dependent on the city to provide sidewalks and multiuse paths that are in good condition so that they have freedom of movement. Providing good sidewalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act is the right thing to do, and it is the law.

Asheville is home to many seniors, and they deserve walkways that they can use. I would like to hear from the City Council on how they will be funding improving our desperately needed sidewalks in the coming year.

— Mike J. Zukoski
Asheville

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7 thoughts on “Letter: Good sidewalks should be city priority”

  1. Grant Millin

    Please let Mike know I am one of the other people who have really challenged the citywide Asheville approach to Citizens with Disabilities. Among other things, as soon as I am sworn in I will act as the mayor’s proxy and resurrect the Mayor’s Committee for Citizens with Disabilities.

    https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/mayors-committees/

    Otherwise right now City of Asheville (COA) departments like Transportation are on the rocks so part of my platform is COA Restructure.

    1
    • Virginia Ritter

      Sir,
      I have been asking city officials from the mayor on down for a sidewalk on Oakland Road so children can walk to school safely! It’s been 12 years and still no sidewalk!!!!

      1
      • Grant Millin

        Let’s see if we can get COA focused on core services along with some of the transformation work!

    • Curious

      When will you have more details and specifics about your plans up on your website?

  2. John Smith

    If you have enough money to pave roads, you have enough to construct sidewalks. Half the sidewalks in West Asheville that do exist are about 18” wide with utility poles right in the middle. Good luck navigating that with a wheelchair.

    1
  3. Enlightened Enigma

    City Council never answers direct questions like this…it’s part of the NO leadership policy that pervades city govco.

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