Emanuel wants to build $485,000 wheelchair ramp at City Hall — quickly

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Updated: February 12, 2012 8:15AM

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration is using up to $485,000 in city funds to rebuild a wheelchair-accessible ramp to the City Council chambers — and racing to complete the project to avoid security issues at next week’s Council meetings.

On Tuesday, a pair of City Council committees are scheduled to consider the extraordinary security measures that Emanuel wants to put in place to handle protesters who descend on Chicago for the NATO and G-8 summits.

The measures are contentious — and not just because Emanuel wants to leave them in place long after President Barack Obama and other world leaders leave Chicago.

Protesters contend the measures could stifle public dissent in Chicago for years to come. They include: dramatically higher fines for resisting arrest, more surveillance cameras, parks and beaches closed until 6 a.m. and sweeping parade restrictions.

On Wednesday, the full City Council is expected to choose from among three versions of a new ward map for Chicago.

With both issues expected to draw crowds, the ramp project poses a complication.

If it’s not completed by next week, parade protesters and angry community groups will be forced to take a detour right through the aldermanic offices, where keycard access is normally required.

“It’ll be a very difficult security situation. They’ve been warned about it for months,” said a source familiar with the project.

The administration is planning to use tax-increment-financing (TIF) funds, pegging the cost at $485,000.

“It seemed there was a ramp that functioned rather well in the first place,” said Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) Reilly, whose ward includes the LaSalle-Central TIF.

“As for the expenditure of TIF funds, it’s been the city’s position that they can spend those dollars without City Council or aldermanic approval if they’re being used for city facilities. So, I didn’t have a role in that conversation.”

Karen Tamley, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, said the old ramp did not comply with the Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA).

With a grade of 13 percent and a length of 22 feet, it was too steep for people with disabilities who use wheelchairs to navigate without assistance.

The new, Z-shaped ramp is 36-feet, three inches-long and built at an 8.3 percent grade. Adding to the cost, the ramp will be enclosed and likely require doorways to provide access. An existing wall and stairs must also be moved.

“The [current] ramp was very, very steep. It was not compliant with the law,” Tamley said.

“The City Council is a very big public venue. This will ensure that people with disabilities have access to the legislative process. This is a really good thing for the disabled community. And it’s a good thing for the city in showing we’re an accessible city.”