10 Responses to “new cement sidewalks?”

1. posted by Magneto at December 27, 2006 9:55 am :
   

   What a waste! Why don’t they level the ground underneath the bricks and then cover it back up with the existing bricks and new ones where they’re needed? I supposes it’s more costly, but I’d prefer not to see the bricks thrown away.

   The brick sidewalks create permeable surfaces, which basically means that they help reduce stormwater run-off and flash-flooding during superfluous rainfall since the rain can percolate into the ground. Granted this is on a small scale, but cement should be discouraged.

   Poor form Richmond Public Works, poor form.

2. posted by ann at December 27, 2006 11:28 am :
   

   This might be the perfect time to contact our new/old council person and see if she will respond to the concern about replacing a brick sidewalk in a historic district with ‘a brand new cement sidewalk.’

3. posted by Magneto at December 27, 2006 11:39 am :
   

   I agree and plan to send an email right away and follow up with a phone call this afternoon. Here’s the contact information.

4. posted by bob at December 27, 2006 11:43 am :
   

   I am for keeping the brick sidewalks just as much as anyone but in this instance, the city is right. Bricks, if no one has noticed, are very slick when they are wet. With the proper texturing, concrete is a much better surface for that hill. Now, I know this will not set well with the presevationists in the area but from a public safety, and a libility standpoint, it is much safer.

5. posted by homie at December 27, 2006 2:31 pm :
   

   I believe the city has the same desire to maintain the historical character of the neighborhood. In fact, I was told by a City official that it was in the plan to replace existing concrete sidewalks along Broad Street with brick. Brick will be used to enhance the streetscape whenever possible unless its use will compromise public safety. In this case, I agree with the City’s determination to use concrete.

6. posted by Maz at December 27, 2006 2:39 pm :
   

   homie - by “along Broad Street” do you mean the stretch between 19th and 21st only or do you mean throughout Church Hill? Is there a timetable on this? My particular portion of sidewalk on Broad has collapsed into a sinkhole, and it would be nice to see the concrete replaced with brick.

7. posted by homie at December 27, 2006 4:38 pm :
   

   From the information that I received from the City, the plan is to brick all existing concrete sidewalks along Broad Street. I believe the brickwork stops at around 25th Street (guess). All walkways from 25ish to 36th are concrete. Most in rough shape. From what I understood of the conversation, it was included in the neighborhood master plan as a capital improvement but I’m not sure about the timing of the project. I have had alot of success getting walkways and treewells addressed by simply going to the city’s website and putting in a service request. Sometimes a followup email was required after the “completion” date expired. However, I have always found these departments (Public works and traffic engineering) to be extremely professional and responsive. Here’s a link to the website.

   I would request that a repair is done on the collapsed portion. Unless there is currently brick there, I doubt they will replace it with brick at this time. When the project actually begins, they would replace with brick. I’ve often wondered why more homeowners in the Hill didn’t make use of this city’s site more often… There are some terrible sidewalks in the neighborhood and the city has always responded to every request I’ve made. They have also installed tree-wells around my property where none existed (simply, by request). I offered to supply the trees and the labor to install them.

   I just wanted them to cut the tree wells into the concrete walkways. They did–and the trees look great. The squeaky wheel….

8. posted by Magneto at December 28, 2006 12:06 pm :
   

   Oh, this is that really steep stretch of 23rd just before you reach the Market. I should have looked at a map earlier. That place is pretty bad, but I’d still like to see the bricks saved. Perhaps they could build a series of steps out of the bricks…

9. posted by ann at December 29, 2006 7:18 am :
   

   Well, whatever the city’s going to do there has already begun.

10. posted by john m at January 11, 2007 6:33 am :
    

    follow-up from the RTD: Concrete, then bricks to fix sidewalk

Leave a Comment