9 Responses to “city waffles on sidewalk repair”

1. posted by ann at November 3, 2005 9:37 am :
   

   Spotty response by the city on repair/replacement of brick sidewalks. Much of it, at least in Union Hill, seems to be motivated by politics more than safety. That may not be the case but that is the perception as I see where work is done and where work is not done, despite years’long requests having been filed.

2. posted by jc at November 3, 2005 10:11 am :
   

   The city has been replacing/repairing the brick side walks on parts of Marshall and one area of 33rd. I think they’ve been working in other areas as well. It looks like they may have created tree wells in some areas.

3. posted by Bob S at November 3, 2005 5:40 pm :
   

   Yes. We have had the city out, public utilities out, the developer out, and now Ms. Fix-it out. Next, I may have to invite my part time collegue (Mr. Mayor) out for some drinks to see if politics holds any water (I’m guessing no). I might as well plant grass. (At least this would better match the surrounding sidewalks in the neighborhood).

4. posted by Carolyn at November 4, 2005 7:15 am :
   

   Why are we not talking with our Council representative about sidewalk and street repair. She has spent $250,000.00 on a purchasing and renovating a building on 31sat Street (its a 3 million dollar project) and millions on a traffic circle at Jefferson and M Street. Let’s fix our existing infrastructure before we start spending tax dollars onsometing new. Anybody heard of any traffic problem at M and Jefferson that would warrant a traffic circle????

5. posted by Neighbor at November 4, 2005 11:46 am :
   

   Actually, the Jefferson Street / M Street / 25th Street intersection is a public safety nightmare. Too many drivers misunderstand the right of way there, causing frequent accidents. Take a look at the accident numbers and you would agree that the need for a traffic solution there isn’t debatable. If you still disagree, well, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Call her up!

   As for the sidewalks, maybe we should take a what-can-we-do-for-ourselves attitude, instead of asking the City to put in new brick sidewalks no one is going to weed. We should each lead by example by keeping your own section of sidewalk weed free. Maybe the neighborhood association should start some specified sidewalk clean-up days, where neighbors tackle the problem sidewalks together. It’s the overgrown sidewalks that make the bricks dislodge and heave out of the ground. If we had a uniform weed-the-sidewalks mentality, we could prevent the appearance of decay ourselves.

6. posted by Daniel at November 5, 2005 10:08 am :
   

   They re-did the brick sidewalk in front of our house on 31st st right before we moved in. The previous owner told us he just kept calling and calling about it and eventually they came out and put the sidewalk in.

   But I’m up for us doing some of the work as well. I like the idea of a sidewalk weeding day or something like that.

7. posted by ann at November 8, 2005 9:40 am :
   

   Hey, hey…

   I’m all for keeping my own and nearby sidewalks clean and clear, which I do sometimes thrice daily.

   My concern is for those instances when most of the sidewalk is gone or when what is there ends up under 3″ of water with even a mild rain; and when written and phoned requests - to city councel rep and liason and to city hall officials - for some relief on the grounds of safety, if nothing else, go ignored for a period of years…

8. posted by jc at November 8, 2005 10:45 am :
   

   On a sidewalk related note…. After moving to Church Hill my wife and I were amazed to see so many people foregoing use of the sidewalks and walking in the streets, sometimes right down the middle. Anyone else?

9. posted by ann at November 16, 2005 7:16 am :
   

   jc,

   street walking is a time-honored pastime in most cities.

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