Comments on: OPINION: Changes at Riford improve quality of life http://www.lajollalight.com/2010/10/08/changes-at-riford-improve-quality-of-life/ Enlightening La Jolla since 1913 Tue, 18 Jun 2013 20:40:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Tricia Kaye http://www.lajollalight.com/2010/10/08/changes-at-riford-improve-quality-of-life/#comment-2184 Tricia Kaye Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:00:25 +0000 http://lajollalight.mscsddev.com/?p=2667#comment-2184 Neighborhood comments on this were published in the La Jolla Light the following week (Oct 14), but due to system upgrade they are not available on the web site: Riford Center continues to ignore neighborhood concerns By Tricia Kaye for Bonair St neighborsof the Riford Center On Thursday October 7, neighbors on Bonair St were shocked to read in the La Jolla Light about final plans to install a new entryway on their street, despite previous understandings to the contrary. The plans are to be funded by a $207,000 Community Development Block Grant – these federal funds are administered by the City for the purpose of upgrading access for disabled persons in accordance with the “Americans with Disabilities Act”. The ADA promotes same access to buildings, not separate entrances for individuals with mobility challenges. An upgrade best furthering goals of the ADA would require installation of a lift located at the current front door – this simple modification to the existing building would uphold the spirit of federal law and would also preserve the surrounding area, a quiet residential street. However the Riford Board favor another option claiming that the lift option has been ruled out because of budget constraints. But the Riford has yet to explain why a $32,000 lift cannot fit within the $207,000 budget and has yet to respond to neighbors’ repeated requests for a copy of the plans and proposed budget. The Board have developed their proposal behind closed doors, and have submitted it to the City and the LJ Light by stealth. This begs the question – is their primary purpose simply to dip into a substantial public fund to achieve a shiny new entrance to meet a new audience, whilst providing a cheap solution for disabled access around the corner. The final decision is now in the hands of the City – will they simply give the green light to a proposal that is severely flawed, all the while using considerable tax payer funds. We call upon Councilwoman Lightner to ensure that the federal money is spent properly and to help preserve La Jolla’s quiet residential neighbourhood values. Neighborhood comments on this were published in the La Jolla Light the following week (Oct 14), but due to system upgrade they are not available on the web site:

Riford Center continues to ignore neighborhood concerns
By Tricia Kaye for Bonair St neighborsof the Riford Center

On Thursday October 7, neighbors on Bonair St were shocked to read in the La Jolla Light about final plans to install a new entryway on their street, despite previous understandings to the contrary. The plans are to be funded by a $207,000 Community Development Block Grant – these federal funds are administered by the City for the purpose of upgrading access for disabled persons in accordance with the “Americans with Disabilities Act”. The ADA promotes same access to buildings, not separate entrances for individuals with mobility challenges.

An upgrade best furthering goals of the ADA would require installation of a lift located at the current front door – this simple modification to the existing building would uphold the spirit of federal law and would also preserve the surrounding area, a quiet residential street. However the Riford Board favor another option claiming that the lift option has been ruled out because of budget constraints. But the Riford has yet to explain why a $32,000 lift cannot fit within the $207,000 budget and has yet to respond to neighbors’ repeated requests for a copy of the plans and proposed budget.

The Board have developed their proposal behind closed doors, and have submitted it to the City and the LJ Light by stealth. This begs the question – is their primary purpose simply to dip into a substantial public fund to achieve a shiny new entrance to meet a new audience, whilst providing a cheap solution for disabled access around the corner.

The final decision is now in the hands of the City – will they simply give the green light to a proposal that is severely flawed, all the while using considerable tax payer funds.
We call upon Councilwoman Lightner to ensure that the federal money is spent properly and to help preserve La Jolla’s quiet residential neighbourhood values.

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