Changes in parking and improved accessibility features in bathrooms, stairwells and corridors are some of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and life-safety enhancements nearing completion at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center.
The improvements were contained in a $1.5 million renovation project approved by the City Council six months ago and include ADA and life safety enhancements to the facility excluding the Barnett Arena. Similar issues with the Barnett Arena are currently under review by the Civic Center Resolution Task Force.
"This project contains a large number of improvements outside the Barnett Arena," said Rod Johnson of the City's Engineering Services Department. "Numerous improvements have been made to the parking lot as well as to the interior of the facility. It's parking. It's ADA. But it's safety improvements also."
The Civic Center's west parking lot has been realigned, offering a number of expanded crosswalks, curb realignments and changes in parking configurations including nearly three dozen handicapped parking spaces.
"The public will notice an entirely new alignment on the west side," said Craig Baltzer, Civic Center director. "The expanded crosswalks and handicapped parking spaces will provide for greater access for pedestrian traffic including patrons with disabilities. The realignment of the parking lot will allow for better traffic flow for parking as well as entering and exiting of the parking lot."
The interior of the Civic Center facility is also receiving a considerable makeover. Guests will notice improved handrails and the addition of guardrails along the stairwells and the addition of handrails in first floor areas leading to the Ice Arena. The restroom facilities will be improved to include single countertops with multiple wash basins, covered utilities, removal of wastebaskets and other obstructions and toilet stalls with width and height adjustments.
Baltzer says the west parking lot construction is receiving final touch-ups and many of the bathroom improvements have been completed with the entire bathroom portion of the project to be completed by the Black Hills Stock Show.