U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett on Thursday announced that Indianapolis Motor Speedway has "agreed to a settlement that will require it to spend millions on renovating its facilities for disabled patrons," according to Jill Disis of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. The settlement came after Hogsett’s department "revealed that the 104-year-old venue -- the largest stadium in the world -- had more than 360 violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, a 1990 federal law requiring such venues to accommodate those with disabilities." The agreement calls for the "addition of hundreds of wheelchair-accessible seats, new pathways to the infield, more parking options and a new set of elevators and ramps for those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility." The project has "no set financial cost yet." Hulman & Co. and IMS VP/Communications Douglas Boles said that "many of the renovations are in the planning stage." However, the Department of Justice said that "all of the changes must be in place within 30 months." Hogsett said that "some of the violations have already been addressed." But the latest changes "will take things further, including retraining staff members and conducting an overhaul of the infield mound." According to Department of Justice documents, the timeline on that project "is seven months." But IMS Engineering Dir Kevin Forbes said that he "wants it to be completed in time for this year’s Indy 500" on Memorial Day weekend in May. The Department of Justice also "requires additions to six other suites, grandstands and seating areas, including the Pagoda, the North and Northeast Vista grandstands and the Pit Road Terrace." The Northeast Vista grandstand will be "altered to include an additional 190 wheelchair spaces and 190 companion seats, along with accessible elevators" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 1/11).
