Trademark Property Company Resolves American with Disabilities Act Complaint

HOUSTON - Trademark Property Company has collaborated with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to resolve a complaint against the property known as “Rice Village” regarding violations of Title III of the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, announced U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Patrick.

The complaint stated that the Rice Village sidewalk did not leave sufficient passage for individuals in a wheelchair to access the parking garage from certain restaurants and stores. 

According to the 2010 ADA Standards, “At least one accessible route shall be provided within the site from accessible parking spaces and accessible passenger loading zones; public streets and sidewalks; and public transportation stops to the accessible building or facility entrance they serve.”

The United States initiated this investigation after receiving a complaint about the inaccessibility of routes leading from the parking garage to adjacent shops and restaurants at Rice Village. Trademark, who manages the Rice Village property, was prompt and very cooperative in addressing the issues presented to it in a letter of factual findings and relevant statutory and regulatory requirements. Trademark immediately started remedying the stated accessibility issues and had completed their barrier removal within a month’s time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Karpati and Paralegal Specialist Ray Babauta handled the matter.