Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Ives Road, LLC (“Ives Road”), the owner of the building that currently houses Pacific Buffet & Grill Restaurant (“Pacific Buffet”) in Wallingford, has entered into a settlement agreement to resolve allegations that the building’s parking area did not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).
This matter was initiated by a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Justice by an individual claiming that Pacific Buffet did not have adequate accessible parking spaces. Based on its investigation, the government found several ADA violations in Pacific Buffet’s parking area and entrance.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, Ives Road has agreed to make changes to the building’s entrance and parking area to make them more accessible to individuals with disabilities. Among the changes required by the agreement, Ives Road will add three accessible spaces to its parking lot and remove gaps in the pavement around the accessible parking spaces. It will also lighten the pressure required to open its front door and provide more maneuvering clearance at its front door, so that its entrance is more accessible. Ives Road has a total of three months to complete these changes.
“No one should have to worry about not finding accessible parking in our state,” said U.S. Attorney Avery. “The ADA’s mandate has existed for more than a decade. I want to commend Ives Road for doing the right thing by cooperating with our investigation and agreeing to make Pacific Buffet more accessible for everyone going forward.”
The settlement agreement is effective for three years, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will monitor compliance during that time.
This matter was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stewart C. Dearing.
Any member of the public who wishes to file a complaint alleging that any place of public accommodation or public entity in Connecticut is not accessible to persons with disabilities may contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office at 203-821-3700 and ask for the Civil Rights Intake Specialist.
Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Justice Department’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 and (800) 514-0383 (TTY). More information about the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and the laws it enforces is available at www.justice.gov/crt.