IC homeless advocacy group criticizes new Ped Mall benches
Lang
12/1/18
An Iowa City homeless advocacy group is calling out the city of Iowa City for its new Ped Mall benches.
The Iowa City Catholic Worker posted a photo of the benches on its Facebook page, asking, “Do Iowa City’s new Ped Mall benches discriminate against the homeless?” It also included a photo of a homeless man sleeping on one of the old Ped Mall benches.
At issue are metal armrests in the middle of the benches, which prevent people from lying down on them.
Catholic Worker spokeswoman Emily Sinnwell told The Daily Iowan that the group is concerned that the new benches discriminate against the homeless, making them unwelcome downtown.
The new benches are part of the first phase of Ped Mall renovations. City officials say the design was the most popular with the public during open forums discussing the renovations, and the design was aimed at allowing people who did not know each other to feel comfortable siting on the same bench. Some disabled residents have spoken out in favor of the benches, saying they use the middle bar to brace themselves when they stand up.
The city council considered an ordinance in 2013 that would have banned lying on downtown benches from 5am to 10pm, but it failed to gain a majority vote.
