CHALLENGE
A nationwide chain of eyewear retailers was brought to justice after passersby noticed a parking lot lacking ADA compliance at a California location: no wheelchair access, no handicapped parking spots, old fading striping, and complex traffic flow for customers accessing or leaving the property. The chain needed expedited service to resolve this issue and ensure compliance for its customers at that particular retail location.
SOLUTION
Steady Solutions proposed its design-build services to resolve the issue as promptly as possible while minimizing disturbances at the store and ensuring extensive documentation for potential use in court. With the corporate team out of state, swift communication and transparency were essential to ensure the work was done correctly and to avoid further legal issues. The Steady team contacted the local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to gather specific local ADA requirements and ordinances, in addition to addressing different parking improvement needs.
RESULTS
After an expedited permitting process aimed at obtaining permits in a very short timeframe, Steady received all approvals to complete construction. With the help of its engineering team, Steady presented solutions that met both the AHJ’s regulations and the customer’s satisfaction. The team redesigned the entire 100+ space parking lot to ensure proper flow while adhering to all necessary requirements, including fire lanes, landscaping, occupancy, and of course, handicap accessibility. The swift and thorough response not only resolved the compliance issues but also improved the overall functionality and appearance of the parking lot, enhancing the customer experience and ensuring the retailer met all legal obligations. Ultimately, the legal case against the corporation was dismissed, preventing lengthy and expensive legal proceedings.