The Merrimack Housing Complex on Calumet Road had long suffered from the poor condition of the sidewalk. Despite the continuous attempts of the residents to bring attention to their concerns for safety, their pleas seemingly fell on deaf ears.
For a long time, no action was taken, leaving the residents to navigate a hazardous sidewalk. Instead of losing hope, the residents continued to press for change by inviting Mr. Sid Harris to submit a formal complaint to the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board. To their delight, the Board recognized the urgency of the situation and directed the city to take remedial action.
Finally, after much perseverance on the part of the residents, the reconstruction of the sidewalk was completed in the spring of 2015. The newly accessible sidewalk allowed the residents to travel safely to important businesses in the area. This experience serves as a valuable reminder that we should never give up on the fight for safety and accessibility.
Sid Harris