Cd'A may increase incentives for sidewalk repairs

They’re not exactly sweeping changes.

Plans are under consideration to help accelerate improvements to pedestrian walkways that border most of the city’s 250 miles of streets.

Under proposed changes to the city’s sidewalk policy, property owners who repair or replace broken, cracked and heaved sidewalks will soon receive a bigger payback.

A City Council subcommittee last week endorsed increasing the reimbursement to residential property owners for sidewalk improvements to $650 per lot from $500 to help offset increasing construction costs.

“It’s been several years since the sidewalk policy was last updated, and we wanted to offer a better incentive for property owners,” city engineer Chris Bosley said. “There are definitely a lot of sidewalks in town that could use a little TLC.”

Bosley said the city does not police crumbling sidewalks. It relies on residents’ concerns about potential hazards. The engineer estimated his office has received 15 calls during the past three years about poorly maintained sidewalks.

“If we hear about it, we’ll go take a look, but the city doesn’t go out looking for property owners to make improvements,” Bosley said.

City Councilwoman Amy Evans, who serves on the subcommittee that recommended the policy changes, said the increased incentives made sense.

“Anything we can do to improve sidewalk safety and walkability in our community is a good thing — and if the city can work in tandem with property owners on improvements then it’s a win-win for everyone,” Evans said.

Money for the sidewalk incentive program comes from the engineering department’s incentive and reimbursement fund, which last year totaled just $3,000, Bosley said.

“The city will gather citizen input to help establish a systematic prioritization that ensures an effective compliance schedule and the greatest return on resource expenditure,” Bosley said.

Funding and execution of sidewalk improvements and repairs remains the responsibility of the abutting property owner. Similarly, sidewalks for new subdivisions will continue to be the responsibility of the developer.

Residents interested in the sidewalk incentive program can contact the city’s engineering department for details at 208-769-2235.

The full council will vote on the proposed sidewalk policy changes during its regular meeting today.