Lakewood Washington City Hall Access Problems
This is a basic list of non-compliant features found at the New Lakewood City Hall with casual use of the south and west portions of the first floor by a non-trained observer. Listed also is the city's current response to each item, and the actions the city has taken to date.
The effective date of this document: 23 JAN '02 Updated: 28 FEB '02
The letter(s) following each item are the rules that appear to apply to the problem presented.
KEY: A = ADAAG; B = WAC 51-40; C = 28 CFR 35; D =WAC 51-44; E = RCW 9.41
For example, the first item shows "[A,C]" and one that applies is 28 CFR 35.163(b) which reads:
"(b) requires the public entity to provide signage at all inaccessible entrances to each of its facilities that
directs users to an accessible entrance or to a location with information about accessible facilities."It is also called for elsewhere in the above regulations, codes, rules, laws, and may appear in others not listed.
Most of the above regulations, codes, rules, and laws are available on line.
South side of building, exits and raised plaza, general:
- Required signs directing handicapped away from non-accessible entrances/exits and raised plaza not present. [A,C]
- City response: Acknowledged, not felt necessary.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: 28FEB, Signs placed for accessible routes and marking inacessible as "NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE."
South side of building, raised plaza as outlet for 4 emergency exits from building:
- No handrails on concrete steps to ground level. [A,B,C,D]
- City response: Will install handrails.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: 23JAN, Handrails installed, too few and do not meet code, one blocked by other building details.
South side of building, western entrance/exit:
- Marked emergency exit, with international handicapped access symbol marked pushplate opener, leads to raised concrete exterior surface with no accessible routes to the ground. [A,B,C,D]
- City response: City will add ramp from west end of raised area to meet with existing ramp from nearby entry.
- Comment: Will need directive signs to ramp.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: 14FEB, Handicapped pushplate for power door opener removed.
- UPDATE: 28FEB, Handicapped pushplate for power door opener replaced, door marked "NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE."
- Exterior international handicapped access symbol marked pushplate door opener inoperative. [A]
- City response: None.
- City action: None.
- UPDATE: Repaired
South side of building, main lobby entrance/exit:
- Marked emergency exit leads to covered raised concrete exterior surface with no accessible routes to ground. [A,B,C,D]
- City response: City will add ramp from west end of raised area (approximately 140 feet west) to meet with existing ramp.
- Comment: Will need directive signs to ramp.
- Comment: Until the ramp is in place there are no directive signs to the one accessible marked exit to the east through the doors leading to Municipal court area of the building.
- City action: None.
- UPDATE: 28FEB, Doors marked "NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE."
Main handicapped parking areas for building:
- Ramp providing accessible route from primary (west) handicapped parking has cross slope and too much slope at ramp intersection (Max=1:50). [A,B,D]
- City Response: Acknowledged.
- City action: None visible.
- Number of handicapped parking stalls may be too few. [A]
- City response: Will add required parking places.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: 28FEB, Corrected.
- No guidance to accessible entrance to building provided near east end handicapped parking. [A]
- City Response: Acknowledged.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: 28FEB, Signs placed.
Passenger loading areas:
- South side of building, passenger loading area, has no curb cuts or ramps for handicapped access as required. [A]
- City Response: None.
- City action: None visible.
- West side of building, passenger loading area, has no curb cuts or ramps for handicapped access as required. [A]
- City response: None.
- City action: None visible.
Interior door from Council Chambers hall to SW entry vestibule:
- International handicapped access symbol marked pushplate door opener inaccessible because of furniture placed in front of it. [A]
- City response: None.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: 14 FEB, Blocking furniture moved out of way.
Council Chambers, general:
- Emergency exit doors at rear of room open inward, against direction of egress. [B,D]
- City response: Will fix.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: 29JAN, Opening direction corrected, may not meet code - panic latches may be required.
- No accessible seating without armrests on aisle. [A]
- City response: Will fix.
- City action: None visible.
- No wheelchair spaces in audience. [A]
- City response: Will fix.
- City action: None visible.
- Public rostrum inaccessible. [A]
- City response: Acknowledged.
- City action: None visible.
First floor men's restroom:
- Door opening force in excess of maximum limit. [A]
- City response: Acknowledged.
- City action: None detectable
- UPDATE: Opening force adjusted.
- Waste container in required open space at latch side of door. [A]
- City response: None.
- City action: None visible.
Doors, general:
- Doors on accessible routes or enclosing accessible areas require force in excess of maximum limit. [A]
- City response: Acknowledged.
- City action: None detectable.
Municipal Courts entry/security area:
- Security station not staffed. [E]
- City response: None
- UPDATE: Asst. City Attorney, 01FEB: Will look into.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: Asst. City Attorney, 11FEB: Bailiff hired, being trained.
- No firearms warning signs. [E]
- City response: Acknowledged.
- City action: None visible.
- No locking firearms storage area / No signs on who to contact for storage. [E]
- City response: Acknowledged.
- City action: None visible.
- UPDATE: Asst. City Attorney, 11FEB: Will be taken care of within 30 days.
Lakewood City Hall Access Trivia:
(Sometimes things get so bizarre one just has to laugh anyway.)
In the southwest entry vestibule of the Lakewood City Hall there are two outside doors.
Both doors can be power operated and have pushplate switches marked for handicapped use.
Both dorways lead directly outside to the same point (within a few feet).
One of these doorways has a gently sloped sidewalk to ground level.
The other has no accessible route to ground level without using stairs.
The accessible exit is not marked as an exit.
The inaccessible exit is marked as an exit.
Welcome to Doowekal!
UPDATE!!!14FEB: The city has "fixed" this problem by removing the remote door opener switch for the "EXIT" door from the inside wall, and putting an additional wheelchair sticker on the "NON-EXIT" doors to the lobby and outside. Huh? What was that?
UPDATE!!! 28FEB: The city has again "fixed" this problem by replacing the remote door opener switch for the "EXIT" door on the inside wall, and putting up a "NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE" sign on the inaccesible exit and taping an exit sign over the accessible door. Thanks!
The above listing is accurate to the best of my knowledge and ability as of the dates/times shown above.
This listing is of course subject to change without notice as items may be updated, added, or removed.
The responses shown are my interpretations of official City of Lakewood responses, and the actions listed are based on my personal observations of the problem areas as of the date shown.
For official City of Lakewood responses to any of these items contact the City of Lakewood.
Contact information is available at their official website: City of Lakewood.
Progress Report
Effective date: 09FEB'02
Outline of found problems with
City response and action for each
Effective date: 23JAN'02
Other Comments
(From one of my limited access sites.)
(UPDATED 23JAN'02)
Marked Images
(Showing problem areas and including
explanations of each problem.)
Link to City of Lakewood official site.
