Is Marion a Hard Place to Get Around for the Disabled?

Changing interpretations of the Americans with Disabilities Act leaves only one in 10 sidewalks in Marion up to code.

Over time, the expectations change for color, texture, slope or other aides to help those with disabilities to navigate streets safely.

Marion has 3,311 sidewalk ramps. 69 percent or 2,285 are what is considered non-compliant, and another 21 percent or 686 are partially complaint with the requirements, according to a Marion Engineering Department report. 340 comply, according to the report.

"The interpretation of the law has varied greatly over the last 20 years," City Engineer Dan Whitlow said. "Every few years the city has tried to meet what the city interpretation is, but then it changes."

City leaders are considering a transition plan that lays out a course to update each of the 2,285 ramps that are non-compliant over the next 33 years. The total cost is estimated at $2.87 million, but over three decades it's a little less than $88,000 a year.

The Department of Justice provides the interpretations, and the Iowa Department of Transportation has among the more strict compliance expectations in the nation, Whitlow said.

Cities that don't comply could lose road use tax money, which in Marion is the bulk of the money used to maintain roads, Whitlow said.

"It's significant," he said.