Stairs are done
December 13th, 2009
The completion of the steps are actually a few weeks old now but I haven’t been by the Memorial building since the last time I posted.
So, if anyone hasn’t been by, the front steps are done! Nice and safe and with pleasant railings too.Â
I missed the tree lighting but it’s great to see the front of the building all decorated and festive. Of course, it’s always a welcome sight to see the old Shoppers World soldiers dusted off for another season too.
I tried to do some sort of holiday shopping while I was downtown but there’s not a lot of places to get gifts at (besides CVS) so I just got some smoked salmon for my mom at Skaska, which she asks me to get when I go there, so I gave that to her as part of a Hanukkah gift.Â
I’m still hopeful someday downtown will be more of a destination to go to, but it least until then we don’t have to look at crumbling steps anymore. Nice to see progress in town 
I agree! The new Memorial Building stairs and the new Main St. bridge are big PLUSSES for Framingham! Both look really nice. And, yes, it IS nice to see those old Shopper’s World Wooden Soldiers! I also wish downtown could be more of a destination. Other than CVS, I don’t buy much downtown, either.
Comment by Rev.Bob Baril — December 14, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Noticed the new stairs last night going into the AF Concert.
Comment by Lance Brown — December 14, 2009 @ 11:27 am
The new stairs look great but I don’t see any handicapped accessibility. Are they trying to keep people with disabilties out?
Comment by Susie — December 14, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
Susie - Unfortunately, that building is not very accessible. There is 1 very old elevator in the back of the building that is very hard to get to that has a large bump that you have to go over to get into a little dark unheated dungeon type elevator waiting area. Then, you need to pray that elevator is functioning that day. It’s VERY sad that a ramp/accessibility wasn’t part of the new stair construction.
Comment by CherG — December 14, 2009 @ 4:06 pm
CherG - I agree with you. One thing that bothers me is that when a major renovation like this is completed, they are supposedly REQUIRED to provide handicapped accessibility. Did the town not do what they were supposed to? As a Framingham resident and taxpayer, I’m not happy.
Comment by Susie — December 15, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
I’m not handicapped, and the fact that the main town offices have no ramp is completely unconscionable to me. I would think the ADA should be notified if they haven’t already. I thought there were laws for this? It really is an outrage.
Comment by Chris — December 16, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
I believe ADA regulations only apply to new construction. The Dept of Justice handles accessibility standards for existing buildings and their guidelines are not as stringent. A ramp is probably not required if an elevator exists, even if it’s old and the area is dark and cold. However, if the elevator only operates sporadically, that’s a bigger problem!
I had a good friend who was quadraplegic and I’ve seen how difficult it can be to get into older buildings.
Comment by Ginger — December 17, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
I should have added-with the height of those steps, a ramp at the front of the building built to the proper grade would probably either extend out into the street or block the stairs. I don’t think there are any other doors where a ramp would be feasible either. It would probably block the sidewalk. Correct me if I’m wrong, however. I’m just picturing the building in my mind.
Comment by Ginger — December 17, 2009 @ 1:23 pm
As far as I’m aware, when major renovations are done such as those to the steps, they are required to make them handicapped accessible (such as a ramp). If they don’t want to do so (for historical reasons or whatever), they are requried to get a variance. The town has not gotten a variance from the Architectural Access Board to avoid the need for handicapped accessibility. I guess this means the town is in non-compliance.
Comment by Susie — December 17, 2009 @ 2:26 pm