ADA Compliance & CASp Inspection in Downey, CA

Firestone Boulevard

2 miles east-west through the city center. Carries approximately 51,730 vehicles per day. Anchors the city's redevelopment efforts dating to 1978.

Mix of national-chain retail, auto dealerships, hotels, restaurants, medical offices, and the Stonewood Center regional mall (927,000 SF, 143 stores, opened 1958, enclosed 1990). Building stock ranges from 1940s-era single-story storefronts to the 8-story Embassy Suites (1985). Notable landmarks include Bob's Big Boy Broiler (1958, Googie-style landmark) and Porto's Bakery (15,000 SF, 2016).

Pre-1960 storefronts on the eastern and western segments have stepped entrances, narrow doorways below 32-inch clear width, and no accessible route from the public sidewalk. Non-compliant accessible parking in older strip mall lots with faded striping, missing signage, and slopes exceeding 2%. Outdoor dining encroachments reduce the pedestrian path of travel below 48-inch minimum.

Lakewood Boulevard (State Route 19)

Major north-south arterial carrying approximately 30,760 vehicles per day running the full length of Downey. Connects the city's largest commercial developments from the oldest McDonald's (1953) at Florence Avenue to Downey Landing (376,165 SF, 2006) and Promenade at Downey (600,000 SF, 2010) power centers in the south. Kaiser Permanente campus flanks the boulevard near Imperial Highway.

Older commercial parcels north of Florence Avenue feature 1950s-1960s strip retail with non-ADA-compliant parking lots, missing van-accessible spaces, and deteriorated surfaces. Large power center parking fields lack adequate accessible route markings from remote parking areas to building entrances.

Paramount Boulevard

North-south arterial through central Downey with traffic counts exceeding 44,000 vehicles per day at the Florence Avenue intersection. Mix of professional offices, medical uses, restaurants, and neighborhood retail. Includes the Rives Mansion (National Register, 1911) and the Downtown Downey Specific Plan 'Paramount Boulevard Professional' district (12 acres).

Pre-1950 mixed-use buildings in the 12700-13000 block have raised ground floors requiring step-up entry from the sidewalk with no ramp alternative. Narrow sidewalks between Florence Ave and 3rd St (as narrow as 4 feet) create pinch points below the 48-inch minimum clear width. Professional office buildings from the 1970s-1980s typically lack elevator service to upper floors.

Downey Avenue (Downtown Core)

The historic commercial heart of Downey running north-south from Firestone Boulevard to 5th Street. The Downtown Downey Specific Plan establishes the Downtown Core district as approximately 20 acres centered on the Downey Avenue and 3rd Street intersection. Includes restaurants, financial institutions, professional offices, the former Avenue Theatre (1925), and the LOOK Dine-In Cinemas site (1997, 10-screen cinema with 355-space parking structure, closed January 2026).

Downey Avenue was widened in 1967, creating new storefronts, but many original building shells remain behind updated facades. 5-inch maximum. Older commercial buildings converted from residential use have narrow doorways and interior floor-level changes without ramps.

Imperial Highway

East-west arterial along Downey's southern boundary serving institutional, commercial, and industrial uses. Major institutions include Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (7601 Imperial Hwy, nationally significant rehabilitation hospital treating 2,500 inpatients and 75,000+ outpatient visits annually) and Kaiser Permanente campus. 5-acre Focus Area) is planned for approximately 472,000 SF of new County administrative buildings.

A new In-N-Out was approved at Imperial Highway and Bellflower Boulevard in December 2025. Older industrial/flex buildings between Bellflower Blvd and Old River School Road lack accessible employee entrances and restrooms. Transit stops have inconsistent accessible boarding areas.

Telegraph Road

East-west arterial along the northern edge of Downey zoned primarily C-2 (General Commercial). Concentration of professional offices, medical offices, and service-oriented retail. Typical building stock is 1-3 story office and medical buildings from the 1970s-1990s.

Benefits from proximity to the I-5 freeway. 1970s-1980s office buildings typically lack elevators and have non-compliant restrooms. Medical office buildings predating 1991 ADA commonly have exam room doorways below 32 inches clear, insufficient maneuvering clearance, and inaccessible patient check-in counters.

Parking lots with deteriorated surfaces, faded striping, and non-compliant accessible parking signage.

Florence Avenue

Major east-west arterial crossing through northern Downey from the I-5/I-605 freeway interchange. Designated as a Major Arterial in the General Plan with the Florence Avenue/I-5 Specific Plan guiding 31 acres of high-intensity commercial development at the freeway interchange. Commercial uses include professional offices, neighborhood retail, auto services, and the intersection with Lakewood Boulevard.

Metro bus lines 111 and 120 serve this corridor. 1950s-1970s commercial buildings frequently have parking lots with slopes exceeding 2% and no designated accessible spaces. Bus stop areas lack consistent accessible boarding pads.

Driveway aprons create significant cross-slope barriers for wheelchair users.