GREAT CITIES NEVER CLOSE STREETS DURING CONSTRUCTION

THEY VALUE THE LIVES, SAFETY AND DIGNITY OF PEDESTRIANS BY REQUIRING SCAFFOLDING TO MAINTAIN SIDEWALKS DURING YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT

High praise for the wheelchair accessible, well-lit scaffolding around the historic Alfred I. DuPont Building in downtown Miami.

Sidewalks must always be open and safe during renovation and construction work.

Every city I have lived in, unless it was a 24-72 hour concrete pour, window installation or facade cleaning -- it was required to keep the pedestrian pathway clear.

Scaffolding maintained pedestrian mobility.

The example on Flagler at the DuPont and across the street at the Olympia are bright, light and almost artistic.

It floors me when the city allows a developer to close an entire sidewalk for two to three years of construction.

It violates the ADA, PROWAG, great governance, best practices, good business and basic human decency and inclusion.

THE CITY OF MIAMI’S AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY’S MOBILITY PRIORITIES ARE UPSIDE DOWN AND DO NOT SAFEGUARD PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS HUNDREDS OF REGULATIONS FOR CARS IN STREETS – BUT WE SHAMEFULLY HAVE VIRTUALLY NO REGULATIONS TO PROTECT PEDESTRIANS ON SIDEWALKS

This is the first delivery bot that I’ve seen that can back up.

When they don’t, it is catastrophic for a wheelchair user. 90% of the bots that I have seen stop when a disabled person approaches.

That blocks essential curb ramps and narrow sidewalks.

The City of Miami, Miami-Dade County and other cities MUST regulate these hogs of the sidewalk bots.

Only those programmed to back up out of the way of people with disabilities should be allowed.

MAINTAINING SIDEWALKS DURING CONSTRUCTION IN THE RIGHT THING TO DO

CLOSING SIDEWALKS FOR YEARS VIOLATES THE ADA AND EVERY MORAL OBLIGATION TO SAFE MOBILITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES PLUS ALL PEDESTRIANS YOUNG AND OLD

Wide, safe, lit, wheelchair accessible simple scaffolding to keep sidewalks open during construction.

What is so hard about this Miami?

How do we have this perfect solution by Flagler St. — then allow both sides of the street to be closed a few blocks north?

I am at a total loss for why Miami officials do not require scaffolding to maintain sidewalks during years of development construction.

Most solutions require tens of millions of dollars.

This requires zero. 

VIRTUALLY EVERY MAJOR CITY FACILITATES LARGE SCALE CONSTRUCTION WHILE MAINTAINING SIDEWALK SAFETY DURING DEVELOPMENT

MIAMI CLOSE SIDEWALKS FOR YEARS WHILE PEDESTRIANS, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, RISK THEIR LIVES CROSSING THE STREET TO CONTINUE THERE JOURNEY

Is there something Miami’s water in that turns big developers & major construction firms into incompetent fools?

Because every city I have lived in + every city I have visited — does not close sidewalks for 3 years of work.

How is it that gigantic, 50-story buildings can be built everywhere else while maintaining sidewalks – but in Miami our development community is incapable of this simple task?

In Miami, we kill pedestrian safety for no reason.

There are 100s of American cities that require developers to maintain sidewalks during construction.

Simple scaffolding preserves safe mobility for pedestrians and independence for people with disabilities.

DR. EDUARDO PADRON, PRESIDENT OF MIAMI DADE COLLEGE FOR A QUARTER CENTURY

A VISIONAIRY, PROGRESSIVE LEADER WHO IMPROVED THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANT STUDENTS

It was such a privilege to chat with longtime acquaintance Dr. Eduardo Padron before his event in Coral Gables this spring.

I got to know the great leader when I was the senior policy advisor for Miami City Commissioner Joe Sanchez.

Dr. Padron’s progressive leadership of Miami Dade College was the epitome of the American Dream.

He is a heroic figure.

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants got access to a world class, low cost, entry level education.

Whether they fed their families and strengthened our communities as electricians -- or used it as a stepping stone to stay in college through law school -- so many got their start at MDC.

Dr. Eduardo Padron joined Mitchell Kaplan for “Pillars of Legacy: From the Miami Book Fair Forward,” the inaugural Silver Medallion Pillars Circle Reception by Mosaic Miami at Kaplan’s flagship Books & Books store.

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

High praise to Avila Spain for creating ramped access to an area with benches & great views of the famous city walls. 

The Walls are ancient, but access for people with disabilities is a priority.

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone

AVILA SPAIN HAS CREATED WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO ITS MEDIEVAL WALLS

WHAT’S YOUR MODERN CITY’S EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO MOBILITY AND ACCESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES?

For years, the ancient city of Avila Spain has prided itself on expanding access for people with disabilities.

Because Ávila is built on a steep hill, the best way to reach the accessible portion of the Medieval walls is arriving by car or an adapted taxi. Exiting directly to the Puerta del Puente is recommended to avoid steep inclines from the upper city center. 

https://www.avilaturismo.com/en/organize-your-visit/avila-is-everyone