Othello gets new curb ramps at Kiwanis Park

OTHELLO — Two new curb ramps have been installed on Seventh Avenue and Kiwanis Park, just in time for the beginning of the new school year.

The curb ramps are the result of a request from a 4-year-old boy during the public comment portion of an Othello city council meeting on Monday, June 3. In the block of Seventh Avenue at Kiwanis Park there were no curb ramps to allow wheeled modes of transportation to easily access the sidewalk. The boy told the council that it was difficult for him to ride his bike when there were no curb ramps.

“The city took it seriously and we did something about it,” said Mayor Shawn Logan.

The City of Othello does it best to address the concerns of its citizens. Logan mentioned that sometimes it may take a while to address concerns due to budgetary or time constraints.

“We try to be fair and firm and consistent with everybody,” Logan said. “That was something we could take care of.”

The cost of the curb ramp on the Kiwanis Park side of Seventh Avenue was between $4,000 and $5,000.

“We tied it into the entrance with the walking path,” said Logan. “Kids can ride their bikes across there or they can access it via a wheelchair.”

At the conclusion of the young boy’s public comment time in June, he said, “Please don’t wait for me to grow up and do it myself!”

“Daniel (the boy) doesn’t have to do it when he grows up,” Logan said. “He can work on bigger things.”

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@suntribunenews.com.