A visitor to the Toyota Music Factory Pavilion in Irving is speaking out about restroom problems at the concert venue that opened last month after other complaints about the facility.
Susan Smith is a huge fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd and she did not want to miss the band’s appearance this month at the new venue. She has been on cruises with the band’s members and seen many of their past shows.
“If they come to town I go and see them,” Smith said.
At 68 years old, Smith now gets around on a scooter since nerve damage from back surgery left her unable to walk long distances.
She was in a group of people who were given handicapped seating for the October 7th show.
“There must have been 8 or 10 of us that had some kind of limited mobility,” Smith said.
The disabled seating area was on the 3rd floor of the venue with access through an elevator.
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“And it was just unbelievably slow,” said Smith.
The only restrooms for the Skynyrd Show were on the first floor, requiring a trip back and forth on that same, slow elevator.
“Of all places I’ve been and all the venues I’ve been, this one was the most poorly planned for the limited mobility people,” Smith said. “I promised the people that we stood in line with that I was going to say something.”
Other visitors have complained on social media about restroom issues at the Toyota Music Factory Pavilion.
Representatives of the developer, ARK Group, directed inquiries to concert promoter Live Nation which operates the Toyota Music Factory Pavilion.
Live Nation representative Kaitlin Henrich said the promoter declines interviews and media access to the property but said the facility is in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
City of Irving Communications Manager Maribeth Sloan provided a statement which suggests changes are possible.
“As part of its permitting process, the City of Irving verified that the developer had submitted plans to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for review of Texas accessibility standards on this project, which is required by state law. The State does the plan review and inspections of buildings and facilities to determine compliance with accessibility standards. The City of Irving is committed to providing an exceptional experience for everyone who visits the Music Factory and will continue to work with the developer to ensure that happens,” the statement said.
Susan Smith said she hopes changes are made.
“I just don’t want the next group of people that go over there to see a wonderful show to get stuck with no restroom like we did,” Smith said.
The larger Toyota Music Factory development at Las Colinas is still under construction with many additional restaurants and businesses to open through Christmas.
NBC 5 is a co-sponsor of the Toyota Music Factory.
