Elevation differences were addressed with decorative enhancements such as “aprons” around building entrances.
The apron around the brick entrance was constructed to make up for almost a 1½-inch difference in the sidewalk and the entrance. This allows the city to maintain ADA compliance between the apron and the parking meter. In the background, a small curb was added along the building to tastefully lower the once severely sloped sidewalk.
Newly constructed steps and curbs help keep cross slopes at less than 2% to meet ADA standards.
BEFORE: The aged sidewalk had pushed up in some places, creating trip hazards. Other areas settled, causing cross slope issues.
AFTER: The historic frontage diamond pattern was made simpler by eliminating edged joints and boarder edging.
DURING CONSTRUCTION: A historic wall was pushing out, causing the sidewalk to settle along the edge. The wall was re-poured and tied into the sidewalk. At the same time a “small” historic iron fence was repaired and made ready to reinstall on top of the wall.
AFTER: The diamond pattern complements the homes and businesses in the city’s historic district. The 75-year-old fence protecting the drop off looks like new again.
Decorative flower beds compensate for severe cross slope issues. This picture also shows a 6-inch step that was formed to make up for a 6-inch cross slope in a 9-foot-wide sidewalk (see between the flower beds). Driveway aprons are not tooled to keep the focus on the walkway.