Courthouse door closure puts burden on people with limited accessibility in Seattle

Citing safety concerns outside the main entrance to the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle, Presiding Judge James Rogers this week ordered the doors to be closed through the end of the year. Now people have to walk up a hill and around the building to get in.

The Third Avenue entrance used to have a stream of people coming and going. Now large signs direct you to other side of the building around the block on Fourth Avenue.

In his order, Rogers said safety conditions at the entrance have deteriorated and the court receives “constant reports of assaults” against members of the public and employees.

But the change is making it difficult to get inside the courthouse for people with limited accessibility.

“It's too hard for me to climb the hill on the side to the Fourth entrance,” said a woman who said she just goes by Mary. “It's creating a problem for people who don't have that capability.”

A courthouse security guard told Mary to call a phone number for assistance. The same guard let two police officers through the closed Third Avenue doors, saying they worked in the building.

The closure is also tricky for people riding the bus to the courthouse. A busy bus stop is located right outside the Third Avenue entrance doors, while the bus stop on 4th is across the street.

Angela Craig, who catches the bus here daily, said she doesn't think locking the doors is the right response.

"It's basically shutting off reality and stuffing our fingers in our ears and trying to pretend that people aren't suffering and taking care of ourselves, which feels selfish,” Craig said.

On Tuesday a King County Council committee will discuss possible long-term solutions to the entrance closure.