Atlanta budget dinged by new unexpected costs — UPDATE
July 16, 2009 at 6:59 pm by Scott Henry in News
Chastain Park Amphitheater isn’t just a hostile environment for Garrison Keillor, Morissey and people who actually enjoy listening to music.
According to an audit by the U.S. Department of Justice, the city-operated music venue — and numerous other city buildings — violate the Americans With Disabilities Act.
Fox5 Atlanta reports that Atlanta will now have to pay $13 million in fines and facility renovations. Under a settlement agreement approved by the City Council Finance Committee yesterday (and which full council will have to approve on Monday), City Hall will pay $2 million each year until the debt is settled.
It seems Atlanta was randomly selected by the Feds for an ADA compliance audit. The results weren’t pretty. Finance Chairman Howard Shook says his committee was handed a thick binder listing literally “hundreds of defects” that need fixing — from wheelchair ramps built at the wrong grade to bathroom hand dryers installed at the wrong height.
Many of the discrepancies involve minute angles and small distances, which gives Shook hope that some of the violations may be forgiven — thereby bringing down the ultimate cost — if the city demonstrates a good-faith effort at correcting the problems.
But for now, the city will have to find an extra $2 million this year to cover the unanticipated ADA costs. It couldn’t have come at a worse time.
UPDATE — Lisa Borders’ campaign just sent out a press release concerning this matter:
In response to a Justice Department audit that found Atlanta in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, City Council President Lisa Borders said the city will find the money to comply. All citizens, she said, must have equal access to city controlled public buildings and spaces.
“We want to give all citizens access to city buildings and public places. The ADA requirements are clear and the Justice Department’s audit has indicated we are not giving access to all citizens; so we must, and we will, find the money to rectify the situation,” Borders declared.
Fair enough, but that sounded like an official statement from the Council president. So, why did it go out through her campaign for mayor? Interesting…
The byline on this post has been corrected.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Wheatley, check your facts on this one.
I saw this report on the 6 o’clock news last night. According to the settlement, the $2 mill per year doesn’t kick in until next year.
Don’t make the common mistake the media makes these days by just reporting what another media source reported. Remember the 2000 election when one network called Florida before it was over and the others followed?
July 16th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Don’t pick on Wheatley. Besides, this was written by Scott Henry. Don’t pick on him either.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
There is nothing “unexpected” about the need for ADA compliance at a public facility. This is just another example of the City doing things in a half-assed way and trying to evade its legal responsibilities. Why does the City of Atlanta act like a teenager: Always doing goofy things and not expecting to get caught?
July 16th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
SDV: What’s your point? Are you apologizing for the City? What’s the difference if it’s a $2 million fine this year or next?
July 17th, 2009 at 7:32 am
@ Spine, my only point was the city is strapped for cash this year, so this would make it even tougher to balance the budget.
@ Intown, you’re right about the teenager comment. I would classify all govts as teenagers, not just the City.
July 17th, 2009 at 10:26 am
The ADA requirements are a surprise? Really?
July 17th, 2009 at 11:30 am
SDV, do you really think the city won’t be strapped for cash for the forseeable future? This drip drip drip of extra obligations and no revenue growth is going to degrade public services for years and years.
July 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am
ADA compliance is not “optional” and, having been here only 6 months, I have been amazed at how out of compliance a good portion of the city is. If the DOJ was really cranky, they could have extended the fines to buildings/owners all over town.