In Union Square, Somerville, MA the Citizen's Bank has broken ground for an accessible entrance to be provided.

This access enhancement project began on January 4, 2007, when I entered the Bank and spoke with then-manager Gabe to request access for the 2,000 or so residents that live within Union Square and have mobility restrictions to entering either the front or back door. The front door was separated from access by a sturdy platform granite-like step; I've seen sons lift their grandmas over that step only to have to then contend with the extremely heavy door. In the back, where the drive-by ATM is located, is a one-step down into a foyer area- then, more steps until gaining entry. Certainly not visitable.

This Bank is the only bank in the Union Square commercial district of Somerville.

So anyway, Gabe, a pleasant gentleman, agreed that this needed to be examined and corrected- but he wasn't too sure it would happen, and didn't feel compelled to make it happen. He said, "we're grandfathered in." I asked Gabe when the Bank began using the building, but he wasn't able to tell me. I informed him that if the Bank had begun operations after 1990, chances were that the access requirements had been ignored.

So throughout the winter, I kept checking in with Gabe, who had promised to speak with the Regional Manager about making plans for the bank to become accessible. After 6 months of getting nothing but promises, on June 12, Gabe told me that the Bank would "try to place this in the budget for next year." I said that wasn't early enough. Gabe gave me the Regional Mgr. to contact and I threw a little book at him.

(See attached file, "June 24 07 Citizen's Bank Throwing the Book Part I"


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June 27, 2007

Hi Angelo and Carmine,

I received your message, Angelo, saying that: you folks would like to meet with me soon, and that Friday won't work, so how about Monday or Tuesday? Did I get that right, Angelo? Thanks for the call.

I am delighted to meet with everyone to move forward on updating the community on the schedule for accessibility improvements at the Union Square branch! Is that the point of the meeting?

Please send me an Agenda for the meeting, with a list of who will be attending, and any further questions. Meanwhile, I am looking around in my schedule to see what's available. It looks like July 16 and July 17 both, I have some time between 10 - 11 a.m.

Please respond by email.

best to all,

disABility advocate

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BUT They didn't want to do this by email. I refused to do it without written documentation:

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July 12, 2007
Hi C and G,

The DisAbilities Rights Commission will be taping its monthly meeting on Monday July 16, early evening. What should I tell our viewers about the work to make Citizens Bank in Union Square accessible at this time?
Looking forward to hearing your update. Please email it before 1 pm July 16; otherwise, I may not see it in time for the program.

Thank you!

On Jul 13, 2007, at 10:45 AM, CG wrote:

Hi disABilityAdvocate,

I’m hoping to speak with you at your earliest convenience. My telephone number is ...

Sincerely,
CG
Senior Vice President
Boston Central/Metro Central
Exchange Place

I wrote back:
Hi Carmine,

I'm so sorry but my workweek schedule generally does not have room for telephone contacts! Please do use email, so that we can be in touch, and when that phone restriction lifts, I will let you know!

On Jul 16, 2007, at 11:42 AM, CG wrote:

We will be moving forward in making the Union Sq. branch handicap accessible for calendar year 2007.

CG Senior Vice President
Boston Central/Metro Central
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YAHOO!!! VICTORY!!! But, um, nothing kept happening. In November, I learned that Gabe was leaving the Union Square branch. Who was overseeing progress on this?
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11/3/07
Hi Carmine,

I spoke with Gabe on his last day at the Union Square branch last week (10/30) and am contacting you for an update on the accessibility improvements at that Citizens Bank branch. We'd like to update our viewers on our upcoming DisAbilities Rights Review show, and also give neighborhood residents an update.
Please send that at your earliest convenience to me at: disAbilityadvocate...
Thank you!
Best wishes,
disAbilityadvocate

...and found out that CD was also moving on...
Begin forwarded message:

From: CD
Date: November 25, 2007 3:33:56 PM EST
To: disABilityAdvocate and bank colleagues
Subject: Re: Update on Union Square Citizen's Bank Access Improvements

I have forwarded your comments to the current Regional Manager Roxann C and will have her follow-up with you.

Regards,
CG

So I wrote to Roxann and, not hearing back, threw the book again.

(see Dec.27 07 Citizen's Bank Throwing the Book Part II)

THEN on January 9, RC wrote:
R.Cooke on January 9, 2008:
Hello Ms. Feldman,

Thank you for the email. I am waiting for a response from the construction Manager and I will advise you via email as soon as I receive a response.

Hello Eileen

Our construction company, Santini construction is going to the Inspectors office today to see if the permit is ready to begin the interior work,(modify the teller line and check desks to comply to ADA standards),We need to speak with the Public Works Dept. to discuss beginning on the exterior but they are currently conducting some work on that street and do not want us to interfere.

If we receive the permit today from the Inspectors, we may be able to begin mid week of 3/4 or no later then 3/11.

I will keep you posted

Roxann
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YAY! YAHOO!!! MOVING FORWARD AGAIN!!!
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...but the City hedged on giving the permit.

FINALLY on March 3rd they gave the permit.
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INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS BEGAN END OF APRIL 08.
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...then, the worst phase must be just as you are nearing something good, because around May 12, the City....

told the Construction Company and the Bank, "NOONE CAN MAKE YOU BUILD A RAMP." and asked them to wait 6 months, just because? Who are the City officials that would make such a claim? I can name a few- including the ADA Coordinator... City Officials claimed they were "worried" about bus stop access. Perhaps I will write a blog just on the efforts we have been making to bring the City into compliance with Title II on bus stop access issues.

For now, let me just say that,
after waiting a bit more, on JUNE 7, 2008, a section of that platform step in front of the Bank was being shattered for the ramp to be built.
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So, Soon the Bank will have a front entrance that everyone can use. Pictures to follow- when I get a camera...