CPA Impact - Building a More Accessible Community

As a community that is fully built out, the major focus of CPA projects in Somerville has been the preservation and rehabilitation of historic buildings and existing parks. Several of the largest and most important projects completed to date have focused on expanding the accessibility of public gathering spaces for people with disabilities or mobility limitations. For instance, CPA funds have been used to build elevators at the West Branch Library and Somerville Museum, and to create accessible paths and seating at the Somerville Growing Center. In the most recent funding round, CPA funds were awarded to the Somerville Hispanic Association to begin the first phase of making its 130 year old building, the former Grace Baptist Church, fully handicapped accessible, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can participate in the social services the organization provides.

When people think about Historic Preservation, elevators may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, handicapped accessibility is critically important to preserving Somerville’s historic fabric by enabling the buildings to be actively used and continually cared for. The Americans with Disabilities Act and Massachusetts state law requires that all programs and facilities be accessible to people with disabilities, and that existing buildings be made fully handicapped accessible when improvements are made that exceed 30% of the value of the building. It is very easy to trigger this threshold when preserving the exterior envelope of historic buildings (i.e., repairing roofs, windows, masonry, etc.,) or investing in upgrades to building security, mechanical systems, or to repair and prevent flood damage. Besides complying with the law, improvements to accessibility will make public spaces safer and more comfortable for all users, as well as providing basic civil rights for people with mobility limitations.

Accessibility improvements enable historic buildings to be living assets that meet community needs today and for generations to come. With limited space for new development across Somerville, CPA funds provide an opportunity to make the best use of the community spaces we have.