Halifax advocate says parts of Queen's Marque design are unsafe

A Halifax woman who is blind says the new Queen's Marque stairs pose a major safety risk, but the organization behind the area says they're working to address the issue.

Like many Haligonians, Milena Khazanavicius recently took a stroll along the newly-opened section of waterfront boardwalk that had been blocked for months due to the Queen's Marque project.

There are now a set of wide stairs leading from a courtyard down into the harbour, where it's been suggested people could swim, fish, or launch kayaks.

But Khazanavicius was surprised to find no tactile markers at all on the stairs alerting people who are blind or partially sighted about an elevation change, which are used at many street corners or in front of the Central Library.

"Had I not been holding on to the arm of my friend, I would have toppled right over. They are pretty significant in their depth," Khazanavicius told CBC's Information Morning on Monday.

She also said her guide dog Louis was "quite excited" and distracted because he heard the water lapping against the stairs, and wouldn't have been able to help steer her away.

"It's just an accident waiting to happen," she said.

Besides the stairs, she said a friend of hers has also run into issues with a patio area in the same courtyard. Despite being a very skilled cane user, Khazanavicius said he was "tangled up" in the tables and chairs, and had to have someone help him navigate out.

Khazanavicius said this layout doesn't follow the Halifax municipality's new policy that temporary patios on the sidewalk or road must have a barrier at ground level.

The Queen's Marque is a multi-million dollar project that includes office and residential space, a luxury hotel, and restaurants. It was developed and led by the Armour Group, in partnership with Crown corporation Develop Nova Scotia.

The bike lane running in the area along Lower Water Street is also an issue for those who are blind, Khazanavicius said, since there are no tactile markers or barriers between the sidewalk and lane.

Develop N.S. has been responsive so far, Khazanavicius said. She recently sent a team from the corporation along the Lower Water Street sidewalk while blindfolded, and they wandered into the bike lane.

President and CEO of Develop N.S., Jennifer Angel, said they've been hearing "a lot" from disability advocates about challenges along the boardwalk, particularly areas without tactile strips, the placement of outdoor furniture, and the need for Braille on signs.

Angel said while the stairs were designed by a team employed by the Armour Group, Develop N.S. were "absolutely" involved in approving the final design for the public space of the project, including the stairs.