Resident urges city to restore benches, reconfigure bistro seating and remove obstructive planter

During the public-comment period, Sierra Sue Josh of Jefferson Avenue told the La Porte Business Improvement District she can no longer walk as far downtown because benches have been removed and existing planters and street furniture make navigation difficult for people with limited mobility and visual impairments.

"People like me only can walk so far and then they might have to sit," said Sierra Sue Josh, adding that benches previously installed on the main street allowed for easier walking. She suggested placing bistro tables and benches facing the street rather than against buildings so pedestrians and people with disabilities have a clearer path. "They had them facing the buildings, not against the building. They had them out by the street. That makes it a lot easier to get around," she said.

Josh also raised a safety concern about a planter across from Rummley Apartments that she said prevents her from opening her driver's-side door when she parks in the second space from the right. "If I park in the second parking place from the right, I have to go out into the street because of the big planter. I cannot get out of my driver's side door and just walk up onto the curb. It's a hazard," she said.

The nut graf: The comments raise accessibility and pedestrian-flow concerns tied to downtown street furniture and a specific planter location; they were delivered as public comment rather than as an agenda action item, so the board did not vote on those requests during the meeting.

Ending: The resident asked the BID and city to reconsider bench placement and to remove the obstructive planter; no formal board action on those requests was recorded in the meeting transcript.