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By LOU HATTER
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Washington’s Architectural Review Board, at its meeting Jan. 15, approved plans for a “Wheelvator” to allow access to the courthouse for handicapped persons.
Zoning Administrator John McCarthy appeared before the board with details of the proposal, which will provide an entrance to both the first and second floors of the building from the north side. Mr. McCarthy raid that existing windows on both floors will be replaced with doors.
The covered chairlift is fitted with doors on both the front and back so that wheelchairs can easily be moved on and off. The 750-pound capacity lift will fold flat against the building when not in use. A square box fitted flush against the building will house the lift’s drive.
Mr. McCarthy told the board that the chairlift is “the latest in a series of architectural solutions presented to the Board of Supervisors.” He reminded the ARB that the state and federal governments have mandated that any public buildings, regardless of historic significance, in which public business, including court, is held, must be accessible to handicapped people.
He explained several other approaches which had been considered, and rejected, before architect Michael Bednar presented the chairlift design which was subsequently approved by the board.
Due to building regulations, the three-foot wide stairway cannot be narrowed to accommodate a lift along those stairs. Widening the stairway would mean “wholesale renovation,” including moving the building’s plumbing, Mr. McCarthy said.
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