This reported issue confuses me a bit. From the sidewalk, the door opens outward so, it is impossible to step up onto the step and open the door. That means the depth of the step between the edge of the step and the door has no bearing in navigating this obstacle.

After opening the door, the depth of the step is at least a couple of feet. This obviously applies to anyone who is entering or exiting.

Am I misunderstanding something or is this another example of someone who has mistakenly fallen, as we all do sometimes, and is looking to blame someone else?

Responding to the comment above: The entry step is clearly not a couple of feet. As seen in the photo the entry step is barely 5 inches in depth (compare it to a juice bottle). Secondarily its tile topping is cracked and broken. When exiting the premises the step is shorter than the average adult foot. Thus anyone stepping on this step will not have their full footing supported throwing them off balance. This is why entry steps have a minimum depth which this step clearly does not meet. One look by a city inspector will confirm this. Tommy, ask your wife to try exiting Box 63 in high heels using this step. Someone from the city should look at this- a clear violation.

Hi citizen,

I believe I detect a little miscommunication between us. If you have enough time, please read the following information and let me know if you still cannot visualize what I am describing.

The depth between the edge of the step and the door is completely irrelevant. People can't walk through closed doors, so nobody will step up onto the step while the door is closed because the door opens outward.

After the door has been opened, there is no bearing on the depth of space between the edge of the step and the door. When the door is opened, the step is several feet in depth which is much more than the required 10 or 11 inches. There is not another step right after the first step.

If my description is too difficult to understand, someone needs to open the door and take another picture of the step. You will see the immense depth provided.

If there is a violation, it could only be the cracked tiles.

Doors work 2 ways. The danger in this is exiting. You open the door, step onto a step that isn't the width of a human foot, loose balance and fall. I suggest strongly you actually go there and look, More importantly, a city bldg Inspector should. When the next person trips, the suit will include the city for not enforcing its own laws on an issue they were notified about.

citizen,

After opening the door while exiting, does a person need to step down onto the step in the picure above or is it a level surface not requiring a person to have to step down onto the step in the picture above?

After opening the door, if a person exiting needs to step down onto the step in the picture above, then you are correct and I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding. However, after opening the door, if a person exiting does not need to step down onto the step in the picture above, then nothing is wrong here.

Which way is it?

Tommy i appreciate your interest, I wish someone in the bldg dept had as much interest. All Im inviting you (and them) to do - is go there and look for yourselves. If the Bldg dept thinks its fine -its fine. I have a lifetime career in insurance risk management- this step is dangerous. Note to Bldg Dept. GO LOOK

citizen,

You have a very good point. Someone should go there and have a look.

If you have enough experience on SeeClickFix, you might have noticed issues of this type sometimes go unnoticed by our city's officials for many months and sometimes years. Here is the contact information for the New Haven Office of Building Inspection & Enforcement:

Office of Building Inspection & Enforcement:
Building Official: James Turcio
Phone: 203-946-8045
Email: JTurcio@newhavenct.gov
Address:
200 Orange St | Room 501
New Haven, CT 06510

I hope this information helps.

Thanks- That was a good idea! I appreciate it. So why does the city have this website if they don't read or respond to people? Rhetorical question lol.

OLD PROFILE assigned this issue to New Haven Health Department

This is an old issue that was never closed. Contact information for the Building Department was provided at the time of the concern.

Well to say this issue is closed is to say either We didn’t go look at it or we don’t care that it’s dangerous. I have returned to the venue just days ago: nothing has changed. Entry step is still not long enuf, it’s tiles are still broken, lighting on this step is still no existent. During my trip there another patron admitted that her friend fell there as well. So am I impressed you labeled this case “closed?” -No