The damage to an ADA-accessible dock in the city of Negaunee can be seen in this photo. (Photo courtesy of the city of Negaunee)

NEGAUNEE — An Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible dock in the city of Negaunee on Teal lake has been vandalized, three times, according to City Manager Nate Heffron, with the most recent incident last weekend.

Heffron said the city is fully prepared to prosecute those responsible. Previous incidents of vandalism took place last year and earlier this year.

“There are cameras out there,” Heffron said. “I know kids like to jump off of things (into the water) but this denies use (of the facility) to a whole group of people.”

The vandalism was focused on a part of the dock that assists persons with physical challenges in boarding watercraft, he said. The cost of repairing the damage, Heffron estimates, is from $1,000-$3,000, which, to date, has been borne by the downstate contractor that installed the dock originally.

“But we can’t expect they will continue to do that,” Heffron said. “That wouldn’t be fair.

“We can’t turn a blind eye to this,” he said. “And we’re not going to.”

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.