EDMONDS — The Port of Edmonds has agreed to a settlement of a few thousand dollars over violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act stemming from a lack of accessible parking spaces.
In February 2021, the port placed two new dumpsters between Arnies restaurant and the Edmonds Yacht Club, the port’s executive director, Bob McChesney, told The Daily Herald.
In doing so, it “regrettably and inadvertently” hindered accessible parking there, McChesney said.
Soon after the changes, a customer reportedly told the port the new configuration violated federal law. But the port didn’t make any changes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
In August, a representative from the U.S. Attorney’s Office went to check out the marina parking area. They reported multiple ADA violations, including a lack of aisle space next to the accessible parking spots for people with walkers or wheelchairs and designated van accessible areas. The U.S. Attorney’s Office concluded the parking area didn’t comply with federal law.
The port did not dispute the conclusion, McChesney said. It quickly made changes to reconfigure parking to comply, including addressing the issues with aisle space and van accessibility and moving the spots to shorten the distance to port facilities.
According to the settlement agreement signed March 31, the port will pay $3,522 to the customer who complained about accessibility. In the settlement, the port agreed not to retaliate against people who file complaints about ADA access.
It has also agreed to designate within 45 days an ADA coordinator who would be responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination against people with disabilities. The port will put up signs in its facilities identifying this coordinator and how they can be contacted.
“The Port of Edmonds is fully committed to providing safe and ADA-compliant facilities to all of our customers and visiting public,” McChesney said.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will monitor compliance for two years. And if there are no more issues, the matter will be closed.
“This resolution is a good reminder that federal law requires full and equitable access,” U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said in a statement. “It is not enough to simply designate a parking space with a blue accessible parking marker — that space must also have special characteristics that will allow those with mobility issues to enjoy full access.”
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.
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