Latest news with #ADAcompliance
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thalia Mara closed last year. Lumumba said it reopened; Horhn says it hasn't. What to know
Thalia Mara Hall has officially been closed for a year — and while former Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba declared it reopened on his last day in office, current Mayor John Horhn said that's not the case. "On the final days of the previous administration, it was announced that Thalia Mara was opened for business," Horhn said. "Unfortunately, that's not the case. There's still some things that have to be done to get us there. We're expecting in the next 30 to 60 days we'll have the improvements that are needed to get it fully opened." The improvements include bringing the historic theater into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by certifying its elevator — something that still hasn't been completed, Horhn said Friday, Aug. 1. The issue with the current elevator is that it is too small to meet ADA standards. Horhn added that the mold, which initially prompted the hall's closure, is no longer an issue, and that asbestos discovered in January has also been addressed. The remaining 'major issue,' he said, is the installation of a new fire curtain, which has been ordered and should be installed 'fairly soon.' The mayor noted that Thalia Mara still faces longer-term maintenance challenges, which he attributed to the building's age. The venue first opened in 1968. "The exterior probably needs a face lift. There's some things we need to do to make the space more usable on the inside," Hohrn said. "When we put together the opening, we'll enunciate the longer term issues that have to be addressed at some point." Horhn also said officials at the Mississippi Museum of Art have expressed interest in a 'whole makeover' of the surrounding cultural corridor — including Thalia Mara Hall, the museum itself, the Mississippi Arts Center, and the currently under-construction Planetarium. All four venues sit neighbor to each other along Pascagoula Street and West Street in Downtown Jackson. Despite the setbacks, Horhn said representatives from Broadway in Jackson have already been in discussion to book shows for the 2026 season. When the theater first shut down, several Broadway performances were canceled or moved to the Mississippi Coliseum. "We are working on a series of shows to return to Thalia Mara Hall in the future," said Joe Kosin, Broadway in Jackson's head of programming. Kosin said it's been an 'uphill battle' following a year of canceled shows and shifting venues — but efforts are underway to bring performances back. Since the closure, Jackson has spent nearly $3 million on repairs, according to records obtained by the Clarion Ledger through a public records request. The bulk of that — nearly $2.5 million — has gone to Guarantee Restoration Services for mold remediation, HVAC cleaning, and encapsulation of the theater. The venue was originally scheduled to reopen in January, but a string of delays — including failed air quality tests, asbestos discovery and a failed state fire marshal inspection — have continued to push the timeline back. The city has not announced a reopening date, but officials hope to complete repairs in the coming weeks. Charlie Drape is the Jackson beat reporter. You can contact him at cdrape@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Horhn says Thalia Mara Hall is not open despite Lumumba's claim Solve the daily Crossword
Globe and Mail
16-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Digital Silk Releases Internal Review on ADA-Compliant Web Design Trends Amid Rise in U.S. Accessibility Lawsuits
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - July 16, 2025) - Digital Silk, an award-winning web development agency focused on creating brand strategies, custom websites, and digital marketing campaigns, has completed an internal review on ADA-compliant web design in response to the growing volume of accessibility lawsuits filed in the United States. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The initiative aims to help inform Digital Silk's client strategies for 2025, reflecting heightened scrutiny around digital accessibility. A 2024 UsableNet report found that over 4,600 ADA website accessibility lawsuits were filed in federal courts last year, with eCommerce, hospitality, and healthcare among the most affected industries. Internal Initiative to Support Accessibility Readiness Digital Silk's internal review evaluates how web design elements such as contrast ratios, semantic structure, and keyboard navigation may help brands improve usability while supporting ADA compliance. The findings are informing the agency's internal process updates and accessibility recommendations for upcoming web projects. "Accessibility is no longer a secondary consideration—it's becoming a standard expectation," said Gabriel Shaoolian, CEO of Digital Silk. "Our internal review helps us align our design and development workflows with evolving compliance needs and user expectations." Focus Areas in Digital Silk's ADA Design Approach As part of its updated internal protocols, Digital Silk is prioritizing: Higher color contrast standards and accessible font sizing Improved focus states and logical tab orders for keyboard users Alt text consistency and screen reader compatibility ARIA labeling and semantic HTML usage These updates are designed to help support inclusive experiences across devices, particularly for clients operating in regulated or consumer-facing industries. More information on Digital Silk's accessibility-first design process is available at: About Digital Silk Digital Silk is an award-winning Miami Web Development Agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, we create digital experiences through strategic branding, custom web design, and digital marketing services to help improve visibility and support engagement.
CBS News
26-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Broadway Junction $500M overhaul sparks hope and fear in Brooklyn
A sweeping $500 million investment to modernize Broadway Junction, one of Brooklyn's busiest transit hubs, is now underway. But some community leaders worry the overhaul of the transit hub at the intersection of East New York, Brownsville, and Bed-Stuy will gentrify the neighborhood as private developers submit proposals alongside public infrastructure upgrades. Major Brooklyn transit hub will become ADA compliant Broadway Junction is Brooklyn's third-busiest subway station, according to New York City. It connects five subway lines and sees about 100,000 riders daily, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority says. Despite the volume of riders it sees every day, Broadway Junction remains one of the city's few major transit centers not in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. That's set to change with a massive MTA accessibility overhaul, which includes replacing three escalators, installing seven elevators and a new station entrance. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Broadway Junction, located at the intersection of East New York, Brownsville, and Bed-Stuy, is Brooklyn's third-busiest subway station, according to New York City. CBS News New York "We champion it. It's our tax dollars. $500 million are being invested not because of any political goodwill," said Paul Muhammad, a local homeowner and co-chair of land use at Brooklyn's Community Board 5. "We want it and nothing to impede that." Muhammad, who has long advocated for accessibility improvements at the station, emphasized the historic neglect felt by residents. "It goes along the same systematic disenfranchisement we witnessed for years here in New York. I got to be quite frank with that," he said. Meanwhile, the New York City Economic Development Corporation has committed to building new pedestrian plazas and transforming underused public spaces. Streetscape construction is set to begin in 2028, according to NYCEDC. Gentrification fears amid major redevelopment As public realm improvements progress, private developers are also eyeing the surrounding blocks for major redevelopment -- including a rezoning proposal that would allow four high-rise towers to be built near the station. That prospect has sparked anxiety among some community leaders who worry the dual influx of public and private investment could lead to congestion and gentrification. "The area is congested enough and you can't have two different things going on at the same time," said Alice Lowman, chairwoman of Brooklyn's Community Board 5. "We're talking about a high-rise of 24 stories, then we're talking about equipment to get the elevators and the escalators done." Boris Santos, president of the East New York Community Land Trust, said residents are right to feel wary. "When public investment comes, private investment is right behind it," he said. "That's why the concern of making sure our people don't get displaced, pushed out, priced out, etc... is a real, valid one." Santos pointed to the newly completed Human Resources Administration building near Broadway Junction with its promise of improved access to services as a reminder of what's at stake. "When it comes to investment, there's also a long history in the city that displacement involves along with it," he said. "And we want to make sure that that is not the future that we see in this beautiful, beautiful stronghold that's still Black and Brown Brooklyn." In a statement, NYCEDC said, "Our work surrounding Broadway Junction is responsive to the community's requests and is a major step forward to transform this hub into an area where families can live, work, and play." The city's plan also includes efforts to boost workforce development in the nearby East New York Industrial Business Zone. Have a story idea or tip in Brooklyn? Email Hannah by CLICKING HERE.
