On Wednesday night, the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners unanimously approved a permit for an Uptown business to build a ramp that will assist customers with disabilities. The owner of Top Deck Medical Aesthetics and Wellness, Jamie Decker, had been working to obtain approval for the ramp since June of last year. Previous requests had been denied due to concerns about liability and encroachment onto a public right-of-way.
During the meeting, over 20 people from the community, many of whom have disabilities, gave emotional testimony in support of the ramp. The commissioners were moved by the personal stories shared by the individuals advocating for the ramp to be built. After listening to nearly two hours of public comments, they granted Jamie Decker’s request and approved the permit for the ramp to be built.
The council decided to grant the permit after considering the importance of accessibility for all customers. The approval came after Jamie Decker made significant changes to her plans in response to feedback from community members and addressed concerns about liability and encroachment onto a public right-of-way. The new plan includes a wider ramp that will be easier for wheelchair users to navigate and additional handrails for safety.
