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Published on 11/24/1999 All articles from this issue

State architect stalls construction of theaters at Mountain View and Los Altos high schools

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Town Crier Staff Report

The curtain came down on the proposed theaters at Mountain View and Los Altos high schools this month. The State Architect's Office denied final approval of the architectural plans, citing noncompliance with the American Disabilities Act, which requires reasonable accommodations for handicapped persons.

The school theaters are part of the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District's five-year, $58 million construction project for districtwide renovations, approved by voters in 1995.

Robyn Phillips, associate superintendent of business services, said the state gave the district preliminary approval of the plans, which were first submitted last May.

The state's flipped decision came as a surprise, she said.

"We thought we had complied," Phillips said, the Disabilities Act leaves "a lot of room for interpretation."

The current theater plans at each school include wheel chair space in four areas: two areas in the front of the theaters and two areas in the back of the theaters, Phillips said.

The state is requesting that the plans be redrawn to include additional wheelchair space in the middle section of the seating areas.

Phillips said the request is not "a simple thing to do. The floor is slanted. We've got stairs. We can't just change it to a ramp, it would be too steep and still wouldn't comply.

" ... We've got to start moving things around and flatten out the slope, which enlarges the buildings."

Phillips said the district was in the process of appealing the state's decision last week.

She said the proposed changes in the 350-seat theaters at the front of each campus could mean substantial construction delays and budget adjustments.

The district had expected to start construction on the theaters next month, Phillips said.

The state's denial could push construction back to next May, she said.