5. DHCA, where it manages the right-of-way, does not follow ADA guidelines, and has no ADA Compliance Officer.
Even though it sounds unusual and surprises most residents, Fenton Street is run by the Department of Housing and Community Affairs -- I think. At least I know that they designed the street, including the sidewalks - and much of the design is wrong, dangerous, and obviously not in compliance with ADA requirements.
I have never had any discussions with anyone from DHCA, but I am fairly-sure they do not employ an ADA compliance person, or refer to anyone other person when making decisions about Fenton St. And as a result, the streetcape is decidedly unfriendly to pedestrians. There are slip hazards, trip hazards, and deliberately-placed barriers to pedestrians and people with disabilities. The 7-11 parking lot at the intersection of Sligo and Fenton has been closed to access except by its driveways - this because of a DHCA-designed and Montgomery County-installed decorative fence.
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View Montgomery Sideways in a larger map
Tree boxes that have been placed in the sidewalks have pavers that come loose and trip people with vision impairments like me. They were placed so that several locations have very narrow passages. I walk this street almost every time I go out, but you have to be careful not to slip on the slippery bricks or twist your ankle stepping on a paver. It is a case-study of the incorrect way to plan an urban public-right-of-way. The designer obviously had no ADA training, nor a concept of what it means to be a pedestrian.
I don't know what other part of the public right-of-way DHCA manages, but I bet they do as poor a job of it as they do on Fenton St.
Fenton Street is a vital public right-of-way for me. It is the only street that goes downtown besides Georgia Avenue that has a sidewalk - such as it is. It is in bad shape - some by neglect, and some by horrendous design.
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View Montgomery Sideways in a larger map
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