I’m used to building entrances being oriented to auto driveways, such is the case at the Omni Majestic Hotel at 1019 Pine St. This hotel does have a pedestrian sidewalk to get from the public sidewalk to the entrance.
The design flaw is that it’s too easily overtaken by vehicles and used as additional parking, as happened on the morning of February 12th when I attended a breakfast meeting in the restaurant off the lobby.
ABOVE: The entrance to the Omni Majestic Hotel on Pine faces the mid-block circle drive.ABOVE: Moving closer we see the first SUV parked out of the way for other vehicles.ABOVE: The problem is this leaves very little of the walkway for pedestrian use.ABOVE: Looking from the entrance back out to Pine Street.ABOVE: The SUV is just outside an emergency exit
This SUV was here when I arrived and when I left an hour later. Though the driveway and sidewalk are different colors, the fact they are level encourages drivers to park here.
A couple of tasteful bollards are needed to keep the walkway open, a link to this post will be sent to the Omni.
Businesses have to attract customers to stay in business, I get that. I’ve written before about Shrinking Sidewalks where businesses place their sign directly in the pedestrian route. Earlier this week the problem was moved to the crosswalk at 14th & Washington Ave.
ABOVE: The sign is placed right at the point where the ramp meets the crosswalk.ABOVE: Here you can see looking across 14th that the sign is placed directly in the way
This is the only time I’ve seen this sign in the crosswalk, later in the week it was on the sidewalk mostly out of the way. Hopefully it won’t be back in the crosswalk.
With hand controls many disabled people are able to drive, filling their tank is another story though. In the nearly four years I owned a car after my stroke I never needed assistance, thankfully.
ABOVE: Posted sign at the Shell station on Tucker & Delmar
This is another simple task so many people take for granted. Some states don’t allow customers to pump their own fuel, everyone gets full service.
In September 2010 I posted about the disconnect between a hotel and restaurant in Joplin (see Driving Next Door For Dinner) where I said the design made it difficult if someone wanted to walk next door for dinner after they checked into their room. Last week this hypothetical situation became reality in Amarillo Texas.
I was in Amarillo TX for the funeral of an 80 year old uncle, seven of us were staying in the same Holiday Inn Express. After the service some went back to the hotel to rest, my brother and I to check in. Three other relatives were going to come over to the hotel and the ten of us would walk together to the Texas Roadhouse restaurant, conveniently located right in front. This proved easier said than done.
ABOVE: Aerial view with the Holiday Inn Express on bottom facing the back of the Texas Roadhouse on top. Click image to view in Google Maps.
In my family I’m younger than all my cousins — by up to 19 years. Still, I’m the only one that walks with a cane. Our aunts and uncles are now in their 70s and 80s — one aunt will be 90 in a few months. Our group of ten was seven cousins, two aunts & an uncle. An aunt & uncle, both in their 80s, require help to walk steady on level ground. Especially to cross an obstacle course like the one we encountered.
ABOVE: This was the barrier we had to cross twice. The Holiday Inn is on the left, Texas Roadhouse on the right.
I suppose the three of us could’ve gotten in a car to drive from one side of the divider (above) to the other side, but that shouldn’t be necessary. The point where we crossed going to dinner the step down from the sidewalk to the grass was taller than most curbs. Returning to the hotel we found a spot that wasn’t so bad. I suppose we could’ve walked around this barrier but that would’ve put us in a busy drive and meant walking a greater distance, a problem for all three of us.
We’ve built so much in every city like this that requires a car to get anywhere, even next door. I hope to live long enough to see the day when this is no longer the norm.
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 has many standards for design professionals to use when designing everything from public streets to stadiums to public bathrooms. It doesn’t seem to require a soap dispenser usable only with one hand.
ABOVE: Soap dispenser best used with two hands
I see this type of dispenser way too often, if it’s really short I can use it one handed. Most of the time I have to wash my hand without soap. Someone continues to select this dispenser even though not everyone can use it. I can’t find an ADA requirement that a dispenser be able to be used with one hand.
The point? Regulation isn’t perfect. Designers must think, not just meet the minimum requirements.
AARP Livibility Index
The Livability Index scores neighborhoods and communities across the U.S. for the services and amenities that impact your life the most
Built St. Louis
historic architecture of St. Louis, Missouri – mourning the losses, celebrating the survivors.
Geo St. Louis
a guide to geospatial data about the City of St. Louis
