A federal magistrate judge has granted final approval to a class action settlement that will force major accessibility modifications to the Hunters Point Library in Queens, designed by renowned Steven Holl Architects. The settlement comes six years after the library opened in 2019 and follows years of criticism from disability advocates who called the building a "monument to stairs" due to its numerous accessibility barriers.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, significant structural changes must be made to address the building's design flaws. A new elevator will be installed to provide access from the fifth tier to the fourth tier of the multilevel structure, areas that were previously completely inaccessible to people with disabilities. Additionally, a skybridge will be constructed to connect the Children's Area to the third and middle tiers of the building.
The modifications will extend beyond major structural additions to include dozens of smaller but crucial accessibility improvements. Designated wheelchair spaces will be created in both the Children's Area and Rooftop Area, accompanied by companion seating for caregivers and family members. The settlement also requires remediation of accessibility barriers in bathrooms, study areas, and other spaces throughout the library to bring the facility into compliance with federal disability laws.
The legal battle began in 2019 when Disability Rights Advocates (DRA), representing the Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York (CIDNY) and individual plaintiff Tanya Jackson, filed a lawsuit against the Queens Borough Public Library, its board of trustees, and the City of New York. The case gained momentum in 2023 when New York City filed its own lawsuit against Steven Holl Architects, Steven Holl personally, and former senior partner Christopher McVoy, alleging they failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act during the design process.
Criticism of the library's design had been mounting for years before the legal action. Architecture critics, including contributor Stephen Zacks and author David Gissen in his book "The Architecture of Disability," had highlighted the building's fundamental accessibility problems. Gissen argued that buildings like Hunters Point Library "express their inaccessible elements as central aspects of their formal meaning," effectively alienating people with disabilities and prioritizing aesthetic vision over inclusive design principles.
The financial implications of the settlement are substantial, with New York City previously estimating that addressing the accessibility issues would cost at least $10 million. In court documents, the city argued that Steven Holl Architects should bear this cost due to their alleged non-compliance with ADA requirements during the original design and construction phase. However, the settlement agreement reached on February 28, 2025, did not explicitly disclose any financial penalties against the architectural firm.
On October 9, Magistrate Judge Steven Tiscione ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, finding that the Queens Borough Public Library, its board of trustees, and the City of New York were at fault for the accessibility violations. While the settlement agreement did not specify penalties for Steven Holl Architects, it did include updated construction drawings from the firm showing the required modifications, including the new elevators and skybridge connections.
Plaintiff Tanya Jackson expressed hope that the case would influence future architectural practices, stating, "My hope is that future architectural planning will prioritize inclusive design, ensuring accessibility for all." Her sentiment reflects the broader goal of the disability rights community to prevent similar accessibility failures in public buildings.
The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York emphasized the fundamental importance of the settlement for the disability community. A spokesperson for CIDNY explained that the agreement means "a person with a disability can engage in the pleasure of reading, writing, studying, watching movies, participating in community events and much more within their local library." The organization stressed that compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is not optional but legally required for all new construction projects involving public spaces.
This case represents a significant victory for disability rights advocates and serves as a reminder to architects, city planners, and public officials that accessibility must be considered from the earliest stages of design rather than treated as an afterthought. The Hunters Point Library settlement demonstrates that even prestigious architectural projects are not exempt from federal disability laws and that the rights of people with disabilities cannot be sacrificed for aesthetic considerations.
