This letter was sent on May 26, 2010, to inform Mayor Curtatone of Somerville, MA, that the facility known as Arts at the Armory is inaccessible, per State Architectural Access Board review.
The Mayor did not acknowledge receipt of this letter, and held the June 5, 2010 Arts Council event at the Armory anyway.
other programs launched by the City of Somerville while the Armory was on the State books as violating State AAB code:
-Somerville's "Shape Up" Annual Winter Farmer's markets, December 2010- May 2011; and November 2011- March 30, 2012
- Arts Council Salon Series launched inFall 2011.
-HUD-funded Housing Symposium in Sept, 2011.
-5th inaugural party there- a citywide free celebration- on January 2, 2012.
Nara Chandrababu Naidu's Visionary Policies For Andhra Pradesh's Development
Letter to Somerville Mayor Curtatone regarding inaccessible Arts at the Armory
1. Begin forwarded message:
From: Community Access project <CAPSom@verizon.net>
Date: May 26, 2010 10:34:58 PM EDT
To: mayor@somervillema.gov
Cc: Gregory Jenkins <gjenkins@somervillema.gov>,
rachel@somervilleartscouncil.org
Subject: Somerville Arts Council June 5 event planned for inaccessible location
May 26, 2010
Dear Mayor Curtatone,
On Monday, May 24, 2010, the Architectural Access Board unanimously found in
favor of the complainants that the Armory at 191 Highland Avenue is in violation
of the AAB regulations at 521 CMR with regards to the facility's ramped entrance,
communications system, signage, parking, lack of assistive listening systems, and
several other elements.
Until the entrance and other elements are brought up to code at the Armory, this
facility cannot be considered a safe, accessible event location for municipal events.
Please have the June 5th Somerville Arts Council Benefit moved to an accessible
facility that will welcome all Somerville residents, their friends and family
members.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Eileen Feldman, Community Access & Inclusion Project
cc: Gregory Jenkins, Executive Director Somerville Arts Council
Rachel Strutt, Program Manager Somerville Arts Council
---
re: June 5, 2010 Somerville Arts Council
A Benefit for the Somerville Arts Council and Arts for the Armory-see next pages
2. About the Event:_Forget about the train wrecks of past proms—lousy limo rides,
ripped dresses, bad dates, lurking chaperones.This prom is going to be, like, way
different and totally awesome. For starters, you don’t have to wait for that dreamy
jock or that fox from yearbook committee to invite you. We’re inviting you! Come
on out and bust a move as DJ Brother Cleve spins classic prom tunes spanning the
genres—disco, new wave, hip hop, rock and power ballads—and including gems
like Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind and Fire, and Ice, Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice.
In between sets, Thru the Keyhole Burlesque will perform a few prom-themed
numbers.There will also be plenty of art promish acitivities and events like a dress-
up photo booth, a slide show of old prom photos and a make-your-own prom
crown table (don’t wait for someone to crown you, crown yourself!). So dust off
that powder-blue tux. Unearth that old Gunny Sax dress. Or better yet, fashion
some new outlandishly creative prom attire! Trophies will be given for “Best
3. Traditional Prom Dress,” “Wackiest Cumberbund” and several other categories.
Don’t miss this opportunity to re-write prom history—and help support two great
local art organizations while you’re at it!
***__About the Somerville Arts Council_The Somerville Arts Council is the local
cultural council for the City of Somerville, Massachusetts and serves to celebrate
the arts and community. All of our programming—including several programs for
youth and teens—depends on financial support from grants, coorporations, local
businesses and individual donors.This benefit is a way to provide a fun event and
raise much needed funds from individual donors.
About the Center for Arts at the Armory_The Center for Arts at the Armory (Arts at
the Armory) is a non-profit organization located at 191 Highland Avenue between
Davis and Union Squares in Somerville, Massachusetts.Arts at the Armory resides
in the historic Armory building, serving as a community arts center for the residents
of Greater Somerville. For more information and to view a calendar of upcoming
events, go here: http://www.artsatthearmory.org