Stratosphere sues architect over ADA allegations

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 | 11:10 a.m.

Stratosphere Corp., which was ordered by a federal judge in March to retrofit 532 rooms that allegedly failed to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, sued in Clark County District Court on Friday to recover damages from its architect, Paul Steelman Ltd.

The Las Vegas hotel-casino, which was sued last January by the Disabled Rights Action Committee and Tamara Thompson, a wheelchair user, and ordered in March to retrofit 532 of its 2,444 rooms with 32-inch interior bathroom doorways, blamed Steelman for allegedly failing to "research all critical applicable regulations, consult with appropriate governmental agencies and ... ensure the guest rooms complied with all applicable regulations and codes."

Steelman officials could not be reached for comment on the allegations.

Stratosphere denied it violated ADA regulations and questioned in an appeal to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals whether DRAC and Thompson have standing to file an action under ADA and whether they have demonstrated irreparable injury warranting injunctive relief.

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