PERRY, Ga. — The city of Perry is moving ahead with a comprehensive plan to upgrade its ADA facilities, aiming to make public infrastructure more accessible to residents, particularly those with disabilities.
The ADA transition plan, recently approved by the Perry City Council, outlines improvements to sidewalks, crosswalks and public buildings like City Hall. The upgrades will help the city meet federal accessibility requirements, ensuring that people with disabilities can navigate the city more easily.
Perry Fire Marshal Darryl Kitchens said the plan reflects the city’s commitment to inclusivity.
"As a community, we want to be welcoming and accommodating. Removing barriers to access for those with disabilities broadens our overall plan for where we want to be," Kitchens said. “We want to make sure there are accommodations available. For services we offer like passive parks and other services in the city, we just want to make sure that everything that the city covers and oversees is compliant.”
City documents show that the upgrades will be funded by a mix of sources, including the General Fund, SPLOST money, and grant programs. The total cost for the improvements is projected to be $635,000, with $115,000 allocated for existing public facilities and parks and $519,000 dedicated to pedestrian facilities and public rights of way.
Although the plan provides a timeline for upgrades over the next decade, city officials hope to complete the work within the next five years.
"We anticipate that not taking that long," Kitchens said. "The timeline is hopefully within five years to have everything up to where we need it."
Residents, like Perry’s Colleen McGhee, are looking forward to the changes.
"Any time we can upgrade, especially for the elderly, it’s awesome. Perry is growing, and a lot of people get out—people of all ages. So, I think it’s a great idea," McGhee said. “I would benefit from it. I'm in Perry all the time. Um, I have a few complaints but I'm still going. I'm active, I'm moving and I have family members that it would really benefit.”
The ADA transition plan is available for residents to review on the city’s website by going through their agenda portal. It was formally approved by the council during their regular meeting on Tuesday night.