The Metz (Schneiders site redevelopment)

[ijmorlan]

When their is a major renovation done to a building the law states that it must become accessible. Older buildings in the cores aren't accessible, and will never be accessible, as long as major renovations don't take place.  

I used to do work for this restaurant in Waterloo. They wanted to do some renovations to the place, but it required that the place become accessible, which is isn't for either employee's or customers.  This restaurant is split level, with bathrooms on the basement, and main customer area upstairs and that was also where the kitchen was.  The costs to make the restaurant properly accessible was way too expensive, would have required removal of a huge section of customer spaces and installation of an elevator.  I thought with creative design it could have been done, but at the same time, I'm not writing the cheques.

Older buildings. and for example, a place to look at is Crabby Joes on King in Kitchener, were not designed for people with mobility issues.

Elevators are expensive PITA

Yes, I’m glad I’m not responsible for paying for any

One thing I think we should do better at is making a distinction between existing and new construction. I’ve seen new construction that I consider unacceptable from an accessibility standpoint which is perfectly up to code. Canonical example: E5 at the University of Waterloo, which took a flat parking lot and put a massive outdoor staircase up to a 2nd-floor main entrance. The “accessible” accommodation is a huge ramp that goes halfway to the mall and back. I consider it an entirely unacceptable solution that should not have been used by the University or accepted by building officials, even though technically people in wheelchairs “can” get into the building.

By contrast, I happen to think that if a business is operating in an old building, it may be entirely reasonable to continue operating without full accessibility. They should still make whatever efforts are feasible (e.g.: I don’t want to see single steps at the entrance), but a two-story business shouldn’t be prevented from renovating just because they would have to install an elevator.