By Scott Taylor,Staff Writer

AUBURN – The new city building should have powered, wheelchair-accessible doors for the third-floor exit, according to one city councilor.

“They’re just too heavy, too hard to open,” said City Councilor Bob Mennealy on Monday.

Now staff will get prices to replace the big silver doors that connect Auburn Hall’s third floor with an elevated walkway to the Mechanics Row parking garage.

“I don’t think it’s something we can just add on,” said City Manager Pat Finnigan. “I think we’re going to have to replace the doors, and I don’t think that’s going to be cheap.”

Councilors reviewed their $5 million capital improvement bond package in a workshop meeting Monday night. The city will use the proceeds from the bond sale to fix city streets, purchase new fire equipment and repair some city buildings and schools. The capital program is the last part of the city’s annual budget, and Finnigan said councilors should vote on it on Aug. 1.

New doors should be part of the package, Mennealy said.

Auburn Hall complies with all Americans with Disabilities Act rules, Finnigan said. The main entrance, which faces the Mechanics Row parking garage on the first floor, has powered doors. It leads to the main elevator, which serves all the floors.

That’s fine, but not enough, Mennealy said.

“But I really think we can do better,” he said. Mennealy limps from the combined effects of a ski accident and stroke and said he has trouble opening the doors.

“Imagine what it’s like for someone in a wheelchair, especially if they want to go to a council meeting,” he said. They’ll take their vans to the third floor and use the walkway, rather than have to rely on the elevator.

Mayor Normand Guay agreed, saying there is room in the capital projects budget for the doors.