Description:
Existing warehouse is used to sew uniforms for armed services, police, and security firms, etc. Warehouse was built in 1960 and expanded in 1968. Proposed work (already underway) will renovate employee work spaces and add additional second floor area.
Construction Cost:
Summary:
Construction costs for renovations without ADA compliance will total at least $204,376. With compliance, costs will jump by to between $261,943 (a 22% increase) and $292,709 (a 30% increase). The attached contract, Exhibit 1, provides more details for the lower cost option. Exhibits 3 and 4 provide two quotes obtained for vertical accessibility.
*Briefly explain why the request has now been referred to the Commission.
As applied here, vertical accessibility requirements would be excessive given that they exceed between 22% and 30% of overall construction costs. Additionally, the building is not open to the public, and all employee workspaces (sewing tables) and recreation spaces (break room and bathrooms) on the second floor are mirrored on the first floor.
Requirements to be Waived.
Issue 1:
Florida-specific hotel/motel rooms
Minimum height in parking structures
Accessible parking
Vertical accessibility
Toilet rooms
Private
Other
Applicant seeks waiver of requirement to install an elevator in existing warehouse that is not open to the public. Waiver is justified given the economic hardship presented: if the elevator is total required accessibility costs will add between 22% and 30% to construction costs.
Issue 2:
Florida-specific hotel/motel rooms
Minimum height in parking structures
Accessible parking
Vertical accessibility
Toilet rooms
Private
Other
Need Additional Space
Issue 3:
Florida-specific hotel/motel rooms
Minimum height in parking structures
Accessible parking
Vertical accessibility
Toilet rooms
Private
Other
Need Additional Space
Grounds for waiver.
NOTE:**
Need Additional Space
As the attached estimates and construction contract show, the requirement to install an elevator presents substantial financial costs and that accessibility requirements will be between 22% and 30% of total costs. The requested waiver of the lift/elevator requirement (between approximately $55k and $36k) is also appropriate given that the building is not open to the public and all second floor employee spaces are mirrored on the first floor.