Historic Courthouse Accessibility

[LGreene]

One of our hardware consultants is working on a county courthouse project. The building was built in the 1930's. Most of the doors are not being replaced, but about 30 doors will now have access control, and 10 more will be new doors. The existing doors have mortise locks with knobs. The hardware consultant was told that the existing doors can continue to have the existing knobs, and the new doors can have knobs to match (rather than levers), because it is a historic building. This building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The total renovation cost is approx. $3M, and includes asbestos removal, central AC, and renovations to some walls and floors, along with the door-related work.

I have a call in to the contact listed on the Access Board's website to find out more about their state's accessibility requirements, but if we look at this as a hypothetical situation from a 2010 ADA perspective, do you agree that the knobs can stay and that new knobs can be installed?

 

[brudgers]

I would say that:

1. Leaving the knobs doesn't serve the public.

2. Unless the historic listing includes the interior, there's not much basis for leaving them.

3. Even if the historic listing includes the interior, a case could only be made for the listed spaces, and it would still be a tough sell unless there were something special about the knobs.

In other words, the risks outweigh any possible reward except in very rare circumstances, and even in those circumstances the benefit is negligible.

 

[steveray]

Are they installing automatic operators? Not that I claim to be an expert, but I tend to agree with Brudgers.....Even if they are "allowed" to stay, it might not be the right thing to do and some other provisions should be made....

 

[mark handler]

The Department of Justice ADA regulations allow public entities to use alternative methods when altering qualified historic buildings or facilities in the rare situations where the State Historic Preservation Officer determines that it is not feasible to provide physical access using the exceptions permitted in Section 202.5 without threatening or destroying the historic significance of the building or facility. See 28 CFR 35.151(d).

The question is; Are the knobs "significant elements" of the qualified historic building?

Some would say no, it is "feasible to provide physical access".

Can electronic door latches or auto openers be installed? If so, the knobs could stay.

Otherwise, IMPO, they need to go.