It’s been a long road to recovery for the Fort Myers Beach Public Library. The building suffered significant damage in Hurricane Ian, most notably the elevator was rendered useless and has been the biggest headache getting repaired.
You may have seen the library team sprucing up the landscaping in recent weeks. That’s in anticipation that the library may finally be able to reopen to the public in March.
Operations Manager Elizabeth Rhodes tells Beach Talk Radio News that final repairs have been made to the elevator this week with an inspection scheduled for yesterday. Then it’s onto the occupancy inspection. If all goes according to plan, the library staff will host a grand reopening party sometime in March
In the meantime, curbside service is still being offered Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm. Library visitors can receive materials, notary service, and fax and print services by calling 239-765-8162.
I do not believe a new building like the library, would take over 2.5 years to have an elevator repaired! Only the Government would think this is a reasonable excuse for incompetance!
I thought that was the purpose of a “soft” opening versus a “grand” opening, because the facility/business is not fully operational but available to be partially opened?
They should have done a “soft” opening with stairs only and done a “grand” opening when the elevators were back up and running. It’s too bad it had to stay closed this long.
ADA regulations dictate that everyone, including those who cannot navigate stairs, must have access. So without the elevator, they would be in violation if they opened before the elevator was operational. Many of us are more than ready to have our beloved library open again.
I thought that was the purpose of a “soft” opening versus a “grand” opening, because the facility/business is not fully operational but available to be partially opened?
No; they cannot open until they’re ADA-compliant and fully accessible to all. Having the elevator (finally!!) repaired will allow them to open.
Thanks Holly. You should be hired as our Town Manager.
Isn’t it ironic…the ADA is supposed to prohibit discrimination to those with disabilities, but in reality, it’s discriminating against anyone from accessing the library?