Improper designs in violation of the Fair Housing Act caused developer Glenwood Management to accept $950,000 in fines in a settlement with the Manhattan U.S. attorney in February.
Prosecutors said at least three of Glenwood’s buildings have scores of inaccessible features, such as thresholds and mailboxes out of reach of those in wheelchairs. The settlement also requires Glenwood to retrofit buildings to bring them into compliance with FHA rules and inspect six other structures for possible violations.
While these types of violations are rare, particularly when experienced architects and engineers are involved, the complexity of FHA and other regulations make it risky for developers to hire newbies, some designers say. A New Jersey architect told Construction Dive that if the architect or engineer doesn’t come from a background of designing multifamily housing, some of the requirements could be overlooked.
Accessibility regulations are particularly complex, governing several building attributes such as entrances, common areas, doors, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Related Stories
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: An AEC giant’s roadmap for integrating design, manufacturing, and construction
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), Skender CEO Mark Skender and Chief Design Officer Tim Swanson present the construction giant’s vision for creating a manufacturing-minded, vertically-integrated design-manufacturing-build business model.
| May 30, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: From micro schools to tiny houses: What’s driving the downsizing economy?
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), micro-buildings design expert Aeron Hodges, AIA, explores the key drivers of the micro-buildings movement, and how the trend is spreading into a wide variety of building typologies.
Codes and Standards | May 30, 2018
Silicon Valley cities considering taxes aimed at large employers
The aim is to offset the impact on housing costs and homelessness by tech companies.
Multifamily Housing | May 30, 2018
Concentrated redevelopment: Apartment complex takes mixed use to the next level
An “intergenerational” mixed-use apartment complex may be a prototype for reenergizing neglected neighborhoods in America’s largest county.
| May 24, 2018
Accelerate Live! talk: Security and the built environment: Insights from an embassy designer
In this 15-minute talk at BD+C’s Accelerate Live! conference (May 10, 2018, Chicago), embassy designer Tom Jacobs explores ways that provide the needed protection while keeping intact the representational and inspirational qualities of a design.
BD+C University Course | May 24, 2018
Building passively [AIA course]
17 tips from our experts on the best way to carry out passive house design and construction for your next multifamily project. This AIA CES course is worth 1.0 AIA LU/HSW.
Multifamily Housing | May 23, 2018
Yankee Dandies: Century-old New England mills become multifamily residences
Having long outlived their original uses, two century-old New England mills have become valuable community assets once again—as multifamily residences.
Multifamily Housing | May 16, 2018
Pampering the pups: Why dog-washing stations are a must-have in multifamily developments
Self-serve dog-washing stations are reinforcing strong bonds between multifamily residents and their beloved canines.
Mixed-Use | May 16, 2018
Los Angeles mixed-use building uses prefabricated wood frame to reduce costs
SPF:architects designed the building.
Multifamily Housing | May 14, 2018
Yardi Matrix report shows U.S. rent surge in April
Year-over-year rent growth leaders in April were Orlando, Fla., Sacramento, Calif., Las Vegas, Tampa, Fla., and Phoenix.
