Assessment of building renovations for accessibility to the physically handicapped.

Any taxpayer who renovates an existing building or facility owned by such taxpayer in order to permit physically handicapped persons to enter and leave such building or facility or to have effective use of the accommodations and facilities therein shall, for the purpose of assessment for ad valorem tax purposes, be deemed not to have increased the value of such building more than the market value of the materials used in such renovation, valued as salvage materials. “Building or facility” shall mean only a building or facility, or such part thereof, as is intended to be used, and is used, by the general public. The renovation required in order to entitle a taxpayer to the benefits of this section must include one or more of the following: the provision of ground level or ramped entrances and washroom and toilet facilities accessible to, and usable by, physically handicapped persons.