mmaroney@sungazette.com
A community survey of city parks is the next project the city accessibility advisory commission has undertaken.
It would be a query of city residents and others offering them a chance to answer questions on their viewpoints are of city parks, to gain insight as the commission continues to hold meetings and ensure accessibility needs are met throughout the city.
So far, the commission has explored prices to advertise a statement directing individuals to take the survey, said Max Moore, a commission member.
The survey might be able to be put on the city Website, he said.
mmaroney@sungazette.com
The city Bureau of Codes is taking an inventory of its city parks’ handicapped parking stalls.
The codes department staff will also provide estimates of how many vendors use and guests annually visit the various city recreational facilities such as Brandon Park, Memorial Park, Shaw Place Park, Newberry Park, Lose Park, Veterans Memorial Park and Youngs Woods Park.
Joseph Gerardi, city codes administrator, said the task to calculate the number of parking stalls for the community was a volunteer assignment requested by the city accessibility advisory commission.
Evaluating what parking needs and visitation estimates for the parks is expected to take several months, Gerardi said.
Some city parks require accessibility upgrades, with closer inspection anticipated in coming weeks.
City parks require some updates to meet requirements under the Americans with Disability Act, according to information given to the city Accessibility Advisory commission this week.
For example, Youngs Woods on Railway Street requires pathway, bench, mulch and parking signage improvements, said Joseph Gerardi, city codes administrator.
Newberry Park needs different kinds of mulch, benches, signs, and updates to intersections to have proper access.
A concrete pad that slopes at the park entrance does not meet accessibility law, Gerardi said.
Veterans Memorial Park on West Fourth Street and Wahoo Drive regularly make required updates and the volunteer veterans on the park commission will be notified of any needs such paths, parking stalls and signage.
KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette The Pajama Factory in Williamsport on Thursday.
Over the years, the Pajama Factory has become a destination for artist lofts, exhibits, shows, a retail coffee shop and more recently residential apartments.
But as the owner Mark Winkelman tries to lease space in the building at 1307 Park Ave., he said negotiations with the city have stalled.
Winkelman said he completed 18 new studio units on the fourth floor all of which are pre-leased and ready for occupancy since Dec. 1, 2020.
“Negotiations have stalled as the city halted all construction until the parking lot is paved as per zoning ordinance,” he said. “We had hoped to work out an accommodation with the city.”