Will the new Key Colony Beach Post Office be Handicap Accessible?

We received this question in response to the Post Office survey:

I heard handicap access is not good but would like some details on layout. Thanks so much and thanks again for all you are doing.

Our correspondent is correct. Access to the Taj ma-KCB Post Office space generally is poor. Handicap access is worse.

Some notes from the official construction drawings:

• The single elevator for the complex does not serve the Post Office level. The Post Office has a freight lift for mail carts but there is no "people" elevator for the Post Office.
• There is just one set of stairs to the main level of the Post Office.
• The Post Office tractor trailer will block the roadway from the handicap spaces when it is parked to unload mail.
• The drawings show the lot will be graded from 3.94-4.5 feet NGVD at the street and center of current lot to 7.50 feet NGVD at the entrance to the Post Office stairs. The new grading includes a six inch curb.
• The sole ramp is on the east side of the Post Office wing. The ramp is about 80 feet from the only two handicap parking spaces on the entire plan. The "tiled" sidewalk leading to the ramp is six inches above the pavement. There are no apparent curb cuts anywhere on the paving plan except beside those two handicap parking spaces. The curb cut at one space does not allow a 60 inch turning space on the sidewalk.
• Assuming the sidewalk to be raised to 7.50 feet NGVD elevation, the ramp needs 4.0 feet of rise to reach the Post Office main floor at 11.50 feet NGVD. ADA requires 48 feet of run plus landings. The ramp appears to be about 30 feet in total length with a landing at its turn which means the slope will be much greater than the maximum allowed. (ADA requires no more than a 1:12 slope.)
• ADA also requires a 60-inch minimum diameter turning space for a wheelchair. The landing at the turn in the ramp may not meet that, depending on location of railings and thickness of building cladding. The interior spaces of the Post Office do appear to exceed that minimum.
• There is no apparent fire escape plan for the Post Office drawn in the bid package.

The bid package itself, with two sets of official construction plans plus notices, the project manual, questions, and addendums, is available for free download. Here's the permanent link to a large .ZIP file with all of that: Download the KCB City Hall Bid Package

• Page 23 shows the site plan and paving with the Post Office, Marble Hall, and gun tower.
• Page 29 shows the Post Office building with dimensions.