Penn Accessibility Upgrades Include Elevators, LU/LA

Accessibility upgrades at the University of Pennsylvania include two elevators and a limited use/limited application (LU/LA) lift for students living at The Quad and two elevators for those at Stouffer College House, The Daily Pennsylvanian reports. Reconstructed entrances, ramps and Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant bathrooms are also part of the projects: a US$29-million renovation of The Quad that will take place over six summers through 2027 and a US$200-million upgrade at Stouffer that will close the hall from May through fall 2023. The Quad’s two elevators will be in Thomas Penn and Memorial Tower and the LU/LA will be in Provost Tower, providing access to a quiet study area. A university spokesperson said the upgrades are aimed at making all public areas accessible and providing more connectivity throughout the buildings. At Stouffer, which is currently not ADA accessible, an elevator will provide access from the ground level to Stouffer Patio and another will carry passengers from the first-floor lobby to the dorm’s second floor. The Quad’s size and historic architecture, another spokesperson said, will make it more challenging to renovate.