Virginia Beach, Va. – A NewsChannel 3 viewer wanted to know why snow was plowed into handicap parking spaces at Loehmann’s Plaza on Virginia Beach Boulevard.
When our news crew went to check it out we found dozens of handicap spots with snow; meanwhile, all the other spots in the lot were clear.
“It is not acceptable, there is public law for handicap and those with disabilities and they need to be fined if they are not clearing it and making it accessible,” said Annette Mand.
Mand drives her husband Alan around almost everywhere they go. Alan is wheelchair bound and only has one leg.
“I had infections and they had to amputate it twice,” said Alan Mand.
Loehmann’s Plaza is home to more than 30 restaurants and shops, and it managed by S.L. Nusbaum Realty Company. The maintenance crews with the company told Newschannel 3 it was an honest mistake by the company they contract the snow plow work to. They said a new employee did not know where to pile the snow, but would be moving it before 8 a.m. Monday.
“They need to be out here supervising, it is not acceptable, you have to think of the handicap people, or someone trying to bring someone in who is handicap,” said Annette.
Here is a statement from Rob Stanton, Senior VP/Director of the shopping center. He says, “It’s not our practice to block handicap spaces – the driver/contractor made a mistake. We were made aware of it and addressed it as quickly as possible. We’ve spoken with the contractor and have taken steps to make sure it doesn’t happen again. We apologize for the inconvenience it may have caused anyone.”
