
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
Plaintiff, No. 01 C 9277
vs.   Judge Coar
THE JOHN BUCK COMPANY, et al.
Defendants.
_______________________________________
ACCESS LIVING OF METROPOLITAN
CHICAGO,
Plaintiff-Intervenor,
vs.
THE JOHN BUCK COMPANY, et al.
Defendants.
Plaintiff the United States and plaintiff-intervenor Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago (collectively "plaintiffs") and defendants the John Buck Company, Church & Chicago Limited Partnership and its successor-in-interest, JBC Evanston Limited Partnership (collectively "Buck Defendants"), agree to the terms of this Consent Decree resolving the complaints, as amended, as to the Buck Defendants.
On December 5, 2001, upon the election of the Buck Defendants and defendant Harry Weese Associates under 42 U.S.C. § 3612(a) to proceed in a civil action before this court, rather than a hearing before the Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD"), the United States filed a civil action as required by 42 U.S.C. § 3612(o) and also alleged that defendants had engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination in violation of 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(l )-(3). Access Living filed concurrently a complaint in intervention. Both complaints, which were later amended, alleged that the defendants had violated Sections (f)(1)-(3) of the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(l)-(3).
Access Living is a non-profit organization that serves and advocates for persons with disabilities throughout the Chicago metropolitan area. The John Buck Company and JBC Evanston are the developer and owner of the Park Evanston Apartments ("the Park Evanston") located in Evanston, Illinois. The Park Evanston consists of a single building with 283 dwelling units on 24 floors. The building was designed by the architectural firm of Harry Weese Associates ("Weese"), which is also a defendant to this action. Gensler Architecture, Design and Planning Worldwide, P.C. ("Gensler") is the entity to which Weese sold its assets before its dissolution on December 3, 2001. Plaintiffs allege that, as a successor corporation to Weese with notice of the HUD claim, Gensler is under federal law liable for the discriminatory actions of Weese. On July 1, 2002, Plaintiffs, with leave of the court, amended their complaints to add Gensler as a defendant to this action.
Plaintiffs allege that as originally designed and constructed, the public and common use areas and the apartments at the Park Evanston do not include all of the features of accessible and adaptive design set forth in and required by 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(C). The Buck Defendants state they retained the Weese firm to design the building in compliance with all federal, state and local laws governing the design and construction of multifamily housing. The Buck Defendants contend that they engaged in no deliberate or knowing violations of law but relied exclusively on the design and drawings provided by the Weese firm.
The Act provides that, for residential buildings with four or more units, all units in elevator buildings are "covered units." 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(7)(A). If such covered units were designed and constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991, the covered units must include certain basic features of accessible and adaptive design to make the housing usable by a person with a disability. Id. § 3604(f)(3)(C). The Park Evanston is an elevator building that was constructed for first occupancy after March 13, 1991. Thus, all 283 units at the Park Evanston are "covered units" within the meaning of the Act and must have the features of accessible an adaptive design required by the Act.
The Act requires that the following features of accessible and adaptive design must be included in and around the covered units: (a) public and common use areas that are readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities; (b) doors designed to allow passage into and within all premises that are sufficiently wide to allow passage by persons using wheelchairs; (c) an accessible route into and through the dwelling; (d) light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, and environmental controls in accessible locations; (e) reinforcements in bathroom walls to allow later installation of grab bars; and (I) usable kitchens and bathrooms such that an individual using a wheelchair can maneuver about the space. 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(C). Plaintiffs and the Buck Defendants agree this Court has jurisdiction over the subject matter of this case and that it is in the public interest to resolve this matter without further proceedings and without an evidentiary hearing as to the parties to this Decree. The Buck Defendants deny violations of the Act. This Consent Decree is entered into without further adjudication as to the merits of plaintiffs' claims against the Buck Defendants and does not constitute an adjudication on the merits of the claims or any admission of liability on the part of the Buck Defendants. Plaintiffs and the Buck Defendants have consented to the entry of this Consent Decree as indicated by the signatures appearing below.
It is hereby ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED:
The Buck Defendants, their officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns and all other persons in active concert or participation with them are enjoined for a period of five (5) years from the entry of this Decree from discriminating on the basis of disability as prohibited by the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(l) - (3). However, if the Park Evanston is sold to a bona fide purchaser for value and all of the rededication contemplated by Appendices A and B has been accomplished, the injunction shall cease three years after the entry of this Decree.
Plaintiffs allege there are common areas and 283 units at the Park Evanston that do not meet all of the standards of the Act and the Fair Housing Accessibility Guidelines, 56 Fed. Reg. 9472 (1991). To address these alleged violations, the Buck Defendants agree to take the actions set forth below. In the event that any portion of the Park Evanston is intended to be sold, including a common area or an individual unit, all of the said corrective actions shall be taken before that portion is sold.
Within one-hundred eighty (180) days from the date of the entry of this Decree, an architectural firm (or other entity or person with expertise in the design and construction requirements applicable to multi-family housing), selected by the Buck Defendants and approved by the United States, shall conduct an on-site survey at the Park Evanston and provide written certification to the parties as to whether the Buck Defendants have correctly made the modifications set forth in Appendix A. If such survey indicates that not all the corrections have been made, the Buck Defendants shall correct such deficiencies within forty-five (45) days and submit a new certification by the same entity. This process shall continue until the person or entity certifies that all the modifications in Appendix A have been made. The Buck Defendants shall bear the costs of the surveys and certifications.
The Buck Defendants shall pay collectively the total sum of THIRTEEN THOUSAND, SIX HUNDRED DOLLARS ($13,600) to the United States as a civil penalty pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 3614(d)(1)(C). Said sum shall be paid within thirty (30) days of the date of entry of this Decree by submitting a check made payable to the United States of America.
Within sixty (60) days of the entry of this Decree, the Buck Defendants shall provide a copy of this Decree to all their agents and employees involved in the design, construction, rental, or sale of covered multifamily dwellings and secure a signed statement from each agent or employee acknowledging that he/she has received, read and understands the Decree. Within sixty (60) days after the date on which a new employee or agent commences employment or an agency relationship with the Buck Defendants, each new employee or agent involved in the design, construction, rental, sale, or direct building management of covered multifamily dwellings shall be given a copy of this Decree and be required to sign a statement acknowledging that he/she has received, has read and understands the Decree.
Within thirty (30) days of the entry of this Decree, and on a yearly basis thereafter, beginning on or before the one-year anniversary of the entry of this Decree, the Buck Defendants and all their agents and employees involved in the design, construction, rental, sale, or direct building management of covered multifamily dwellings shall attend a fair housing training session selected by the Buck Defendants and conducted by a disability rights or fair housing organization acceptable to the United States. The Buck Defendants shall pay all costs of the training. The Buck Defendants shall secure a written certification from the trainer of each agent's and employee's attendance at the fair housing training.
The Buck Defendants shall post and prominently display in the rental offices of all multi-family residential properties they own or operate a sign no smaller than ten (10) by fourteen (14) inches indicating that all residential dwelling units are available for rent on a nondiscriminatory basis. A poster that comports with 24 C.F.R. Part 110 will satisfy this requirement.
In addition, for the duration of this Decree, in all future advertising in newspapers and on pamphlets, brochures and other promotional literature regarding the Park Evanston, the Buck Defendants shall ensure that the management of the Park Evanston places, in a conspicuous location, a statement that the dwelling units include features for persons with disabilities required by the federal Fair Housing Act or use of the accepted pictorial indicators for accessibility for persons with disabilities and non-discrimination. The sample advertisement in Appendix G - PDF is acceptable to the plaintiffs.
Upon reasonable notice to the Buck Defendants, representatives of the United States and Access Living shall be permitted to inspect the retrofits performed at the Park Evanston to ensure compliance with this Decree one time in each twelve month period following the signing of this
Decree for the duration of the Decree; provided, however, that the United States and Access Living shall endeavor to minimize any inconvenience caused by such inspections.
Any time limits for performance imposed by this Decree may be extended by the mutual written agreement of the parties to this Decree.
The parties to this Decree will bear their own costs and attorneys' fees associated with this litigation, except as provided in section III.A. However, nothing in this paragraph shall preclude Access Living from seeking attorneys' fees and costs against any defendant other than the Buck Defendants.
So ORDERED this 25TH day of September, 2002
____________________
United States District Judge
Agreed to by the parties as indicated by the signatures of counsel below.
|
FOR DEFENDANTS THE JOHN BUCK
COMPANY AND JBC LIMITED
_____________________ |
FOR PLAINTIFF UNITED STATES:
PATRICK J. FITZGERALD
|
|
TIMOTHY MORAN Deputy Chief, Housing and Civil Enforcement Section Civil Rights Division P.O. Box 65998 Washington, D.C. 20035-5998 |
FOR PLAINTIFF-INTERVENOR ACCESS LIVING OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO:
|
STEVEN SALTZMAN 122 South Michigan Avenue Suite 1850 Chicago, Illinois 60603 (312) 427-4500 | KENNETH M. WALDEN MAX LAPERTOSA Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago 614 West Roosevelt Road Chicago, IL 60607 (312) 253-7000 |
" A",(21 apartments, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom):
"B" units,(21 apartments, 2 bedrooms, 2 baths):
"C" units, (21 apartments, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms):
"D" Units, (14 apartments, studio,1 bathroom):
"E" units,(15 apartments, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms)
"F" units,(8 apartments, 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms):
"G" units,(23 apartments, 1 bedroom, 1 bath):
"H" units.(23 apartments, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms):
"I" units,(23 apartments, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom):
"J"(15 apartments, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom):
"K" units (14 apartments, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom):
"L" Units,(12 apartments, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom):
"L1 " Units (1 Apartment, Studio, 1 bathroom):
"M" units,(13 apartments, studio, one bathroom):
"N" units,(7 apartments,1 bedroom, den, 2 bathrooms):
"0" units,(7 apartments, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms):
"P" units(2 apartments, 2 bedrooms, Den, 3 bathrooms):
"P1" units (2 apartments, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms):
"P11" units(2 apartments, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom):
"Q" units, (19 apartments, 1 bedroom, den, 2 bathrooms):
"Q1" units,(2 apartments,1 bedroom, 1 bathroom):
"Q11" units,(2 apartments, 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom):
On ____________, 2002, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois entered a Consent Decree which requires the builders of the Park Evanston to offer accessibility retrofits required by the Fair Housing Act to tenants of the Park Evanston. All units at the Park Evanston should contain certain accessibility features that allow persons with disabilities to live in or visit the units.
YOUR UNIT SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED SUCH FEATURES.
You may have any or all of the following features installed in your apartment at NO COST TO YOU:
If you choose to have any of these features installed in your apartment, the owners of the Park Evanston will, if the installation causes significant disruption to your apartment, pay for your stay in the Hilton Garden Inn or a vacant furnished unit at the Park Evanston and any incidental expenses, if necessary, during the period in which the features are installed. The installation of the features will be completed within five days of the time construction begins. If you are interested in scheduling the installation of any of the features listed above or have any questions, please contact _________________________ at ______________.
On _______________________, 2002, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois entered a consent decree in a lawsuit brought by the United States and Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago against the developer and architect of the Park Evanston, alleging that they failed to include certain accessibility features for persons with disabilities
required by the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(C), at the Park Evanston, located at 1630 Chicago Avenue in Evanston, Illinois.
The United States and Access Living allege that the Park Evanston does not comply with the law because:
Under this consent decree, you may be entitled to monetary relief if you or anyone you know
WAS DISCOURAGED FROM LIVING AT THE PARK EVANSTON BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES;
If you wish to make a claim for discrimination on the basis of disability, or if you have any information about persons who may have such a claim, please contact the United States Attorney's Office at (312) 353 - 5300 and ask for the duty paralegal. You may also write to: United States Attorney's Office, 219 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604, Attn: Civil Rights.
Note: You should call or write no later than November 30, 2002.
In consideration of the payment of the sum of ______________ dollars ($________) pursuant to the Consent Decree entered in United States v. John Buck Company et al., No. 01 C 9277 (N.D. Ill.), I hereby release the John Buck Company, Church & Chicago Limited Partnership, JBC Evanston Limited Partnership, and LaSalle Bank National Association Trust No. 123565-07 from any and all liability for any design and construction claims, legal or equitable, I may have against them arising out of the issues alleged in the above-captioned action.
I fully acknowledge and agree that this release of the defendants shall be binding on my heirs, representatives, executors, successors, administrators, and assigns.
I hereby acknowledge that 1 have read and understand this release and have executed it voluntarily and with full knowledge of its legal consequences.
____________________________ ____________________________
DECLARATION OF COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS This Declaration of Restriction is made as of ____________________, 2002 by LaSalle Bank National Association, as successor trustee to American National Bank and Trust Company of
Chicago under Trust Agreement dated December 22, 1997 and known as Trust No. 123565-07 and JBC Evanston Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership and beneficiary of the aforesaid Trust (collectively "Declarant") with respect to that portion of the property commonly known as 1630 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, Illinois 60201 on which is located a 24-story residential apartment building containing 283 dwelling units known as The Park Evanston (the "Building") and which is legally described on Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof (the "Property").
In witness of the foregoing the Declarant has executed this
Declaration as of the date first written above.
For LaSalle Bank National Association, as successor trustee to American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago under Trust Agreement dated December 22, 1997 and known as Trust No. 123565-07:
______________________________________
By:
For JBC EVANSTON LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, an Illinois limited partnership:
_____________________________
By: JBC Evanston Co., an Illinois corporation, its general partner
Consented to pursuant to Section 6 above:
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association College Retirement Equities Fund
______________________________
By:
Name:
Title:
STATE OF _____________ COUNTY OF ___________
On _______________________, before me, _______________________, a Notary Public in and for said state, personally appeared ____________________________________________
on behalf of LaSalle Bank National Association, as successor trustee to American National Bank and Trust Company of Chicago under Trust Agreement dated December 22, 1997 and known as Trust No. 123565-07, personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory
evidence) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same in his/her authorized capacity, and that by his/her signature on the instrument, the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Notary Public in and for said State
(SEAL)
STATE OF ______________ COUNTY OF ____________
On _______________________,before me,__________________________,a Notary Public in and for said state, personally appeared _________________________on behalf of JBC
Evanston Limited Partnership, an Illinois limited partnership, personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within
instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same in his/her authorized capacity, and that by his/her signature on the instrument, the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the
person acted, executed the instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Notary public in and for said State
(SEAL)
STATE OF___________________
On ________________________, before me, ________________________, a Notary Public in and for said state, personally appeared __________________________________________ on
behalf of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association College Retirement Equities Fund, personally known to me (or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence) to be the person whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he/she executed the same in his/her authorized capacity, and that by his/her signature on the instrument, the person, or the entity upon behalf of which the person acted, executed the instrument.
WITNESS my hand and official seal.
Notary Public in and for said State
(SEAL)
Legal Description PARCEL A:
THAT PART OF WASHINGTON NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION OF ALL OF LOTS 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 AND 1 IN BLOCK 19 IN THE ORIGINAL VILLAGE (NOW CITY) OF EVANSTON, IN SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH, RANGE 14 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, RECORDED MARCH 9, 1995 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 95161213, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION AFORESAID; THENCE SOUTH 16 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, ALONG THE EASTERLY LINE OF SAID WASHINGTON NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION, 173.10 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PARCEL;
THENCE CONTINUING SOUTH 16 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, 85.50 FEET; THENCE NORTH 74 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, ALONG A LINE DRAWN PERPENDICULAR TO THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE, 210.51 FEET TO A POINT ON THE WESTERLY LINE OF SAID WASHINGTON NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION, SAID POINT BEING 258.97 FEET SOUTHWESTERLY OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE NORTH 16 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST, ALONG SAID WESTERLY LINE. 85.50 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 74 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST, 210.48 FEET TO THE HEREINABOVE DESIGNATED POINT OF BEGINNING;
SAID PARCEL HAVING NO LOWER LIMIT AND HAVING AS AN UPPER LIMIT A HORIZONTAL PLANE OF ELEVATION +65.50 FEET, CITY OF EVANSTON DATUM, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
AREA = 17,997 SQUARE FEET OR 0.41316 ACRES.
PARCEL B:
THAT PART OF WASHINGTON NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION OF ALL OF LOTS 12, 13, 14,15,16 AND 1 IN BLOCK 19 IN THE ORIGINAL VILLAGE (NOW CITY) OF EVANSTON, IN SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 41 NORTH, RANGE 14 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, RECORDED MARCH 9, 1995 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 95161213, BOUNDED AND DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:
COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF WASHINGTON NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION AFORESAID; THENCE SOUTH 16 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, ALONG THE EASTERLY LINE OF SAID WASHINGTON NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION, 172.45 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED PARCEL; THENCE CONTINUING SOUTH 16 DEGREES '00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, 86.15 FEET; THENCE NORTH 74 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS WEST, ALONG A LINE DRAWN PERPENDICULAR TO THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE, 210.51 FEET TO A POINT ON THE WESTERLY LINE OF SAID WASHINGTON NATIONAL CONSOLIDATION, SAID PONT BEING 258.97 FEET SOUTHWESTERLY OF THE NORTHWEST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE NORTH 16 DEGREES 00 MINUTES 56 SECONDS EAST, ALONG SAID WESTERLY LINE, 86.15 FEET; THENCE SOUTH 74
DEGREES 00 MINUTES 00 SECONDS EAST, 210.48 FEET TO THE HEREIN ABOVE DESIGNATED PONT OF BEGINNING;
SAID PARCEL HAVING AS A LOWER LIMIT A HORIZONTAL PLANE OF ELEVATION +65.50 FEET, CITY OF EVANSTON DATUM AND HAVING NO UPPER LIMIT, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
AREA = 18,134 SQUARE FEET OR 0.41630 ACRES.
LANDLORD MODIFICATIONS:
Where necessary to create the required accessible approach to the lavatory, the lavatory base cabinet doors and a portion of the bottom shelf will be removed.
Where necessary to create the required 30" x 48" area which allows maneuverability for a person using a wheelchair, bathroom doors will be mounted to open out.
Nothing in this provision shall affect or preclude any rights tenants have under the Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3604(f)(3)(a) and (b).
Prospective Resident _________________________ Apartment__________
Move-In date Your new apartment at the Park Evanston has been designed with certain accessibility features. These features can be installed/modified upon your request at move-in and accessibility
modifications may be made at any tune at no charge to you.
Grab Bars can be installed around the tub, shower and toilet areas. Would you like grab bars installed in the bathrooms of your apartment?
_____ Yes, please install grab bars
______ No, I do not want grab bars installed.
_____ Yes, please remove the doors
_____ No, keep the doors on the vanity
_____ Yes, please remove the doors
____ No, keep the doors on the kitchen sink base
You have the option of keeping the bathroom doors swinging out, or if you would prefer, we can modify the bathroom doors to swing in? Please note that you may have the door swing changed on one or more of these bathroom doors at no charge upon request at any time while you are a resident of the Park Evanston. Please indicate your preference for the door swing direction at move-in by checking below and returning it to the Park Evanston Leasing Office.
_____ I would prefer the bathroom doors in my apartment to remain swinging out into the apartment, which accommodates persons with disabilities in wheelchairs.
_____ I would prefer the bathroom doors in my apartment to be changed to swing into the bathroom.
_________________________
____________________
____________________
ACCESSIBILITY MODIFICATIONS
TO PUBLIC AND COMMON USE AREAS
RETROFITS AVAILABLE TO
TENANTS AT TILE PARK EVANSTON
Name
Date
SS
SS
SS
COUNTY OF__________________
Additional Lease Language
APARTMENT ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS
_______________________________
Date
Tenant
Date
_________________________
Agent - The John Buck Company
Document Filed: September 18, 2002.



Enforcement Section
TTY - 202-305-1882
FAX - (202) 514-1116
To Report an Incident of Housing Discrimination:
1-800-896-7743

Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Housing and Civil Enforcement Section, NWB
Washington, D.C. 20530
Email: fairhousing@usdoj.gov