November 4, 2004

Disability compliance projects continue throughout campus

Carpenters are putting the finishing touches to a new handicapped accessible wood exterior ramp and railing that connects 1818 Hinman Ave., that houses the Music Academy, some music faculty offices and the School of Music’s office of Keyboard Maintenance staff members and the adjacent anthropology department building at 1812 Hinman Ave.

Carpenters weld a railing on the ramp connecting the Music Academy and the anthropology building on Hinman Avenue.

photo by Stephen Anzaldi

The ramp work follows the completion of Crowe Hall, 1860 Campus Drive, and the remodeling and conversion of many formerly cramped and shared offices located in houses on the Evanston campus into single occupancy offices. The new Hinman Avenue ramp is part of the upgrading in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to accommodate 1818 Hinman’s new use as a School of Music building.

According to Andrew McGonigle, Facilities Management design and construction project manager, the new ramp is a design that is compatible with the buildings original architecture and historic setting and an efficient solution that allows one ramp to serve both buildings. Users are now able to access either building from the front as well as the parking lot at the rear of both buildings. “Not only does the ramp provide dual-access, it also aids in fire fighting should a fire occur,” said McGonigle.

In addition to 1818/1812 Hinman Ave., the University is providing new handicapped-accessible ramps at 1810 Hinman Ave., 1813 Hinman Ave., 1902 Sheridan Road, 1914 Sheridan Road, 1940 Sheridan Road, 619 Emerson St. and 405 Church St. The ramp at 555 Clark also was updated this past summer.

As part of an ongoing plan to improve the accessibility of the campus, the following locations will have handicapped-accessible washrooms: 619 Emerson St., 1914 Sheridan Road, 1940 Sheridan Road and 555 Clark St. Construction is expected to be completed by winter 2005.