Posted on 05/28/2015 8:31:23 PM PDT by rey
Santa Rosa’s use of its $4 million Fountaingrove fire station has been delayed by questions about whether the new building is sufficiently accessible to people with disabilities.
The 5,300-square-foot Newgate Court station was supposed to be ready for occupancy in April, but last minute inspections by city staff trained in the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act highlighted numerous potential violations.
The discovery has perplexed many at City Hall, especially given that the city has spent about $6 million over the past 5 years improving the accessibility of existing buildings, parks and sidewalks under the watchful eye of the U.S. Department of Justice.
It’s still unclear whether there are actually significant ADA or building code violations in the station. The fire department has hired an outside ADA consultant to review the facility and help determine what, if any, shortcomings exist, what changes need to be made, and how much they’ll cost.
“The building is ADA-accessible,” said Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner. “What we’re struggling with it does it need to be fully accessible, and if so, what that does mean?”
The nine firefighters who will work and live in Station 5 are able-bodied by definition and obviously don’t require toilets, showers and counter tops in the station to be wheelchair accessible. But as a public facility built with public money, questions have come up about how much of the building needs to be open to the public and therefore ADA-accessible.
(Excerpt) Read more at pressdemocrat.com ...
Stupid George HW Bush’s fault?
Especially the part that mandates low level urinals. In the past 25 years I have never seen a cripple use the urinal. In the past 25 years I have seen lots of urine on top of those low riders. I'm 6' 2" and I've done it myself, unintentionally, of course. It happens. I bet janitors are fed up with cleaning the tops off.
We have to accommodate the wheel chair bound paraplegic firefighters you know. And don't forget the blind fire engine drivers, not to mention the blind, deaf, and speechless 911 operators who read only Upper Slabovian Braille.
“Stupid George HW Bush’s fault?”
Of course it is Bush’s fault.
Tacoma WA is installing the braille bumps on corners where there are NO SIDEWALKS!
employing disabled firefighters now?
Too stupid to address.....that’s our government.
Imagine calling 911 and getting a welcome message directing you to press One for English.....etc...etc..etc.
PC.. Can Kill
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