Monday, April 14, 2014

The Handicapped May Have Full Access to City Departments "Within a Week"

Workmen Lowering New Hydraulic Jack in Elevator
Workmen from Rio Elevator were busy lowering a new hydraulic jack into a PVC sleeve or "sock" Monday at El Tapiz Building.  

"Maybe as much as one and a half weeks, but likely within the week," Rio Elevator's foreman estimated, when asked when the project would be completed.  

This is the second time within two years this exact repair has been made at El Tapiz.  Elevators in both the U.S. and Europe frequently operate for decades without needing hydraulic jack replacement.  


Sign Posted at El Tapiz Elevator for 8 Months
Our visit with Rio Elevator Supervisor James last February revealed why the relatively new hydraulic jack became totally corroded and worthless in less than two years:

"The hydraulic jack was placed in a PVC sleeve, but, without a cap, it was set in mud. In a short time, the thing was completely corroded," stated James.

When asked how his company will prevent a repeat of the previous short-lived hydraulic jack repair, James stated: "We will put a PVC cap underneath the sleeve to prevent contact corrosion."


James did not know why the City of Brownsville did not require the previous contractor to make good on the poor workmanship or even if the job was guaranteed.

Compliance with the 1990 American Disabilities Act is at issue for the City of Brownsville.  For the better part of a year, disabled citizens have had no physical access to the Brownsville's Planning, Fire Department Administration and the Metropolitan Planning Organization.(Recent meetings of the MPO have been held at Brownsville Metro and, last Saturday, at the Southmost Community Room, adjacent to the Brownsville Police Department Southmost Substation.)
While a rugged, concrete service stairs is available for the able-bodied, the city implemented a plan for the disabled recently to give them another option.  A phone was set up in the lobby for those "unable to walk up the stairs," with the promise that someone would come down to the lobby to "meet with them."

Hot Tar Delivered to Roof, 4/14/14
Meanwhile, Arco Construction has been working on the building's roof and exterior.  Here is this excerpt from a February MMB article:  
"We spoke with Jorge, a supervisor with Arrco Construction, the winning contractor on El Tapiz Building roof repair. 

Jorge stated that his company had received the $122,500 contract from the City of Brownsville to "remove the metal window bars, repair the cracks in the roof's parapet railing and give the roof a composite coating" with a three inch insulation underlay.

The repair's anticipated completion date is within 75 days."

El Tapiz Receiving Necessary Repairs

These two projects are necessary and beneficial to taxpayers needing city services, in contrast to the foolish purchases of speculative real estate approved by the City Commission the last two years.  

9 comments:

  1. Remember not to relieve yourself on the Alamo. That was the lesson a judge tried Monday to impart on El Paso resident Daniel Athens, who was ordered to spend 18 months in a state jail facility for having urinated on the Texas shrine. Athens, 23, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief of a public monument or place of human burial in February in exchange for a deal that capped his possible punishment at 18 months. The crime usually is punishable by up to two years' incarceration. State District Judge Ray Olivarri sentenced Athens to the maximum allowed under the agreement. Time must be served day-for-day in a state jail facility, meaning there's no chance of early release on parole. Athens was also ordered to pay $4,000 in restitution — the cost of repairing the damage done to the faΓ§ade of the 250-year-old building. Athens started urinating on the front of the mission — to the left of the front door — at about 9:25 p.m. on a Saturday in April 2012 when he was tackled by an Alamo Ranger, according to court records. Authorities initially charged Athens with public intoxication and public urination, both Class C misdemeanor offenses.

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  2. Perhaps the city should have a rule that all city officials must use the stairs.....for exercise, to provide access to the handicapped, especially guys like Arturo Rodriquez and the planning staff. Too many fat officials using the elevators is what has caused the problem. Walking up the stairs is cheaper than paying for another bike trail which they don't use.

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  3. An elevator will solve all our problems, Jim? Get real, dude. You pick on the small potatoes. Bikes and elevators. Try raising your game, or as you wrote your "skill set."

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    1. I like small potatoes, leaving the bigger stories for real reporters like you.

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  4. Police are investigating after the remains of a 41-year-old woman were discovered when a trash truck dumped out its contents at a garbage collection business. The newspaper reports that police were called the business early Tuesday morning. Senior Officer Kirk Hernandez says an employee discovered the remains after the truck dumped its contents.The remains were sent to the County medical examiner, who will determine cause of death. Officials are trying to notify the woman's family.

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  5. As you no doubt know, Browntown doesn't give a damn about the handicapped.

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  6. I might dispute that Brownsville doesn't give a damn about the handicapped; doesn't the city make them pay the same taxes as everyone else? That's equality, isn't it?

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  7. I could not refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!

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