Aurora Library Square design flawed, may cause accessibility issues: resident

Accessible parking spaces too far from library's door, presenting difficulty for those using canes, walkers and wheelchairs

Yorkregion.com
July 23, 2018
Teresa Latchford

Tyler Barker believes the Aurora Public Library is getting the short end of the stick when it comes to the redesign of Library Square.

The local resident and chair of the town’s accessibility advisory committee is glad Coun. Harold Kim has requested town staff take a second look at the placement of the accessible parking spaces, which Barker claims are too far away from the library’s entrance, before giving the design final approval.

Plans have yet to be set in stone, with council approving the design only in principle last month. The design involves the construction of a three-storey building to expand space for the Aurora Cultural Centre, an open gathering space between the library and centre for public use, as well as moving the current parking located between the buildings to where the former Aurora Seniors’ Centre was located.

“I don’t have any issue with the transformation of Library Square as a whole,” Barker said. “But I think there are some things that could be changed to make it more accessible for the people who need.”

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With the accessible parking spaces farther away, an overhang to protect those using devices like his power wheelchair are open to the elements. For example, while visiting family he was caught in a downpour that shorted his powered wheelchair.

Fellow accessibility-advisory committee member and council candidate James Hoyes feels the distance from the parking spaces and the library doors will be a challenge for those using walkers and canes.

“They have done well with the number of spaces, but these spaces are further away from the door than what exists now,” he said.

As for how accessible the cultural centre will be with the extension, the committee won’t know until the final drawings are complete, because it isn’t clear where the elevator will be located, which will determine how far people will have to walk to get to it.

Part of the issue was how late in the process the accessibility committee was consulted, Hoyes said. If the committee is able to provide comments or concerns early in the process, it is more efficient when it comes to the entire design process.

“We are not saying (the committee) needs to be consulted on every single thing, but this is a public facility,” he added. “Had we been consulted when the option for underground parking was on the table, that option would have addressed all these concerns.”

Barker took to social media to express his concerns, and members of the community participated in a lengthy discussion that caught the attention of Kim, who agreed to meet both Barker and Hoyes on the site to see exactly what the concerns were.

“I am working with (town) staff and the designer to see if there are options to address Tyler’s concerns,” he said.

There is an entrance off Yonge Street no one uses, with a ramp, and parking on the street in front of the library; it could accommodate up to three spaces, he suggested.

Kim said he will provide an update to council at the next meeting.