Blind Attorney Threatens Lawsuit to Block Roundabout Plan

Blind Attorney Says Roundabouts Violate Law

WBAY-TV - Green Bay, Wisconsin

By Marcie Kobriger
February 24, 2009

The Green Bay city council will again take up the Military Avenue reconstruction proposal Tuesday night. In the debate, a new voice of opposition will be considered -- that of the blind and disabled community.

A blind attorney from Michigan says a lawsuit will be filed if Green Bay goes ahead with the Military Avenue project as planned. Richard Bernstein warns the city council against putting six roundabouts along the busy thoroughfare.

"You have to have a continual flow of traffic at all times, which means that the traffic never stops, ever. It just continues to move," Bernstein said.

Bernstein says that puts the City of Green Bay in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"The only question you've got left is the constitutionality of it, which is, does the City of Green Bay have the right to prevent people with disabilities from accessing the street or crossing the street?" Bernstein said.

Monday afternoon, Mayor Jim Schmitt said he would ask the council to reconsider its approval of the roundabout plan and consider other options, in light of the public backlash.

And in light of the new opposition, the mayor said Tuesday, "I think there needs to be a more thorough investigation as to the ADA requirements. I think that needs to be looked at a little bit more."

The council meets at 5:30 Tuesday night to take up the issue again.