As a health care provider and a business in the City of Nelson I am appalled and extremely frustrated by the lack of action regarding access issues the Stores to Shores project has created in front of my office. I made the city aware of these concerns in early September, and have sent several subsequent emails, but have yet to receive any type of reply. My patience has run out.
Due to the unplanned changes in the elevation of Hall St. in front of my office, my disabled clients have been unable to access orthodontic services since mid-July. The city seems to feel that this is acceptable, and that remediation of these concerns can wait until next year. The city has partially completed work and then abandoned it.
The lack of planning and foresight in this project is astounding, especially considering how much project consultant MMM has been paid. There was no detailed plan for dealing with the consequences to the alley or the area in front of my office, so instead it seems to have been placed in the “too hard” basket. Why are the city managers not being held accountable?
The inaccessibility of the disabled parking space and the loss of level access is completely unacceptable. There is no other way for clients with mobility issues to access my office. My patients must be seen every two months to progress their treatment and prevent negative consequences, but the city is denying this. Delivery access is also blocked which is impacting my staff and my business. I ask the city to please take action immediately to rectify problems this construction project has caused.
Dr. Kathryn Bibby, Nelson