Developers settling lawsuit

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002 | 11:03 a.m.

The developers of Raintree Village condominiums, which were accused by the U.S. Justice Department of violating federal housing accessibility laws, agreed Wednesday to pay $350,000 in restitution and to retrofit the 124-unit development at 7570 W. Flamingo Road in Las Vegas.

Developers Raintree Associates Ltd. Partnership, Falcon Engineering Services and Falcon Construction Services agreed to pay $280,000 into a construction fund and $70,000 in restitution to eight condominium owners, the government said.

The government alleged many of the condominiums on the ground floor were inaccessible to people using wheelchairs because the doors were too narrow and some of the kitchens and bathrooms didn't provide the required maneuvering space.

"The need for accessible housing will become even more pronounced as the number of elderly persons in this country increases," said Ralph F. Boyd Jr., assistant attorney general for civil rights. "This agreement will help ensure that residents at Raintree Village will not be forced to relocate should they develop a disability."

The defendants could not be reached for comment.