Bullets and Capitals Owner Abe Pollin and K.C.-based
architecture firm Ellerbe Becket have been sued by a group of
disabled veterans who claim the MCI Center is not properly
designed to accommodate wheelchair users, according to the
WASHINGTON POST. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court by
DC-based Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), alleges the yet-to-
be-built arena does not comply with the Americans with
Disabilities Act because most wheelchair users would have their
views blocked by patrons who stand up, "especially during
portions of events that are particularly interesting or
exciting." PVA Deputy Exec Dir John Bollinger: "The bottom line
here is if you can't see the game, you might as well stay home
and watch it on TV, and that's the message we're getting here
from the MCI Center." Bullets GM Wes Unseld: "We believe the
MCI Center is being designed and constructed to comply with the
ADA issues raised by the complaint. ... We thought we were making
great progress in discussions [with PVA officials] and we are
disappointed that this suit has been brought." In its suit, the
PVA asks that construction of the arena be halted until design
issues are resolved. No court date has been set (Maryann
Haggerty, WASHINGTON POST, 6/15). The ADA stipulates that arena
wheelchair seats must not be isolated, must offer a choice of
views and ticket prices and, in stadiums where spectators can be
expected to stand, must provide a line of sight "comparable" to
other spectators. Ellerbe Becket has also been named in similar
suits by PVA affiliates over Boston's FleetCenter, Buffalo's
Marine Midland Arena and the CoreStates Center in Philadelphia.
Portland's Rose Garden is facing a similar suit filed by OR
nonprofit group, Independent Living Resources. Meanwhile, the
U.S. Justice Department says it is investigating "more than a
dozen" arenas -- not including the MCI Center -- to determine
whether they comply with federal disability laws (Lorraine
Woellert, WASHINGTON TIMES, 6/15).
