UNR gets OK for football stadium lawsuit over ADA violations

The Associated Press

5 years ago

This photo taken in October 2018 shows the obstructed view from one of the disabled seating are ... — This photo taken in October 2018 shows the obstructed view from one of the disabled seating areas at Mackay Stadium at the University of Nevada, in Reno, Nev. Lawyers for the University of Nevada, Reno are asking the state’s board of regents to authorize a lawsuit against architects they blame for a botched renovation project that left the school’s football stadium in violation of the Americans with Disability Act. (Siobhan McAndrew/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP)

This photo taken Oct. 13, 2018 shows 7-year old Ella Marini getting loaded onto a special lift as she makes her way into Mackay Stadium to see Nevada take on Boise State in Reno, Nev. Lawyers for the University of Nevada, Reno are asking the state’s board of regents to authorize a lawsuit against architects they blame for a botched renovation project that left the school’s football stadium in violation of the Americans with Disability Act. (Jason Bean/The Reno Gazette-Journal via AP)

RENO — The state Board of Regents has approved the University of Nevada, Reno’s request to file a lawsuit against architects they blame for a botched renovation project that left the school’s football stadium in violation of the Americans with Disability Act.

The university plans to seek reimbursement for the $3.8 million it says it will cost to redesign and repair a series of deficiencies, including wheelchair decks where disabled fans’ views are obstructed.

The regents voted Friday in Las Vegas to authorize any potential legal action.

WorthGroup Architects did the original work in 2015 and a second round in 2017.

But the school says the 25,000-seat Mackay Stadium still doesn’t have enough spaces for wheelchairs.

The school’s lawyers say they asked the company to pay for the costs of fixing the mistakes last month but it refused.