Clarkdale is moving forward with an effort to bring the Clark Memorial Clubhouse into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a 1990 law which, among other things, requires public buildings to be accessible to those with physical issues.
It wasn’t a huge concern when the historic structure was built in the 1920s but times have changed.
The town is expecting to spend part of $260,000 in grant money on improvements to the restrooms in the clubhouse.
The money comes from a Community Development Block Grant, issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The agency hands out such grants to local governments and municipalities for projects that will benefit areas lived in by predominantly low to mid-income residents.
The program, started in the 1970s, has funded billions of dollars for projects in communities from coast to coast.
The town had considered different types of potential projects like water and wastewater system improvements but the town staff considered the updates to town facilities a high priority.
The money will also be used to construct a new women’s restroom as well as a ramp that is compliant with the ADA to allow wheelchair access.
To read the full story, see the Wednesday, Sept. 16, edition of the Cottonwood Journal Extra.
