The Idaho State Capitol Commission is working to improve handicapped access in the newly renovated and expanded building.
Capitol Commission Chairman Andy Erstad said handicapped visitors wanting to see the entire building need help from security officers to access elevators reserved for legislators and state employees.
Erstad said the problem became clear to him last week as he led a tour and had a handicapped person in his group. He said Jan Frew, executive project manager for the Division of Public Works, is working on a solution.
“I appreciate the fact that Jan’s already all over that one,” Erstad said Wednesday during a commission meeting at the Capitol.
The commission is also dealing with other glitches, including problems with key-card access to various doors and a conflict with the Ada County Highway District over lowering the speed limit on State Street, which runs on the north side of the Capitol.
"For me, lowering the speed from 30 to 25 doesn't get it," said Commissioner Jeff Youtz, who said he wants State Street closed.
Overall, Erstad said, the opening is going smoothly. “I’m glad the punch list is dwindling,” he said.
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Capital access
It has been the law of the United States and Idaho for decades that people with disabilities must have access to public buildings and many private structures and Idaho refurbishes the "Peoples Capital" without proper handicap access. I am angry.
Butch wants to do away with the agency that handles these very people complaints, now we know why, he wants to build buildings that only the able bodied and annointed "people" can successfully enter. That is a joke and so much for the "Peoples Capital". Where were the architects when the building was designed, where was the contruction manager from Utah when he rebuilt this monstosity. Where was the Governor:? riding his horses, getting bucked off and recovering from surgery? If he would have been confined to a wheel chair for life you would have bet there would have been access for the disabled. Shame on you Butch.
Seriously? It's not like the requirements for access are new!
WAs this project not inspected to assure it meets existing requirements? But one question...is the lack of access due to poor design or simply because legislators chose to keep the accessable elevators and other areas for themselves? Why on earth do legislators need private elevators? They should be ashamed of themselves. I thought this was "the people's house"!
Come on Butch
be a man, this was your fault, own up to it. AND tell us how you could possibly make this error. Just because you do not recognize those people less fortunate than you, these Idahoans and good citizens do exist and you have insulted them and their families and in my case an apology is not adequate. Fix the problem and keep all people out of the state house until it really is the "PEOPLE'S HOUSE".
Whoa on the Rhetoric
Hey folks, I do believe there was an architect on this project who should have known better and there was a Capitol Commission and Division of Public Works that most likely reviewed and approved the plans. While we may not agree with everything Clem does, let's put the responsibility for this where it belongs.
Capitol access
Wow! It's amazing that will all the planning and the millions of dollars, they didn't deal with this *before* doing the work! Sounds like a totally slap-dash operation. I wonder what other flaws will show up, what else these geniuses forgot to do.
Wait! Wasn't the new Whammo! slide okay?
Well, darn, I should've guessed the access animals would have trouble with that.
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Like a midair collision with a tugboat
Elevators solely for legislators?
Isn't this backward?
The legislators work for the people of Idaho. Maybe the legislators should be taking the stairs!