West Loch Village Must Upgrade to Accomodate Disabled

Shannon Weidemann

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A settlement has been reached over the West Loch Village apartment complex and its lack of access for the disabled.

The apartment complex did not meet federal accessibility standards. Doorways will need to be widened, handrails will need to be moved, and entrance ramps will need to be changed.

Federal officials said the original complaint was filed against the owner, builder, architect and civil engineer "to enforce provisions of the federal Fair Housing Act that require recently constructed dwellings to include features designed to make the dwellings more accessible to persons with physical disabilities."

Under the partial settlement, which must be approved by the court to take effect, the defendants -- the City and County of Honolulu; Mecon Hawaii Ltd.; Yamasato, Fujiwara, Higa & Associates Inc.; Hawaii Affordable Properties Inc.; and R.M. Towill Corp. -- will pay all costs related to making the apartment complex accessible to people with disabilities.

A $75,000 fund will also be established to help anyone that has been hurt at the complex due to the problems there.