This year DMNA is scheduled for its once-a-decade repair of sidewalks. The markings you may have noticed (white arrows, dashes and X's), faded now after the winter wear and tear, show which blocks (as in "blocks or squares of concrete" not city blocks) will be replaced. Some of the criteria include broken blocks, a height offset of more than 3/4" from the next block, or ponding water or ice across more than half of the block. There will be official notice to each property owner, with a neighborhood meeting on the topic scheduled for April 7, 2005.

WHY IT'S VITAL

We hope you'll be supportive of the effort. There is a cost to the property owner but we can see the real need for repair of the blocks marked on our walking routes. Walking is the exercise of choice among health experts. With a sidewalk network, if there's a break in the continuum, or if you catch your toe, or slip on the ice, you, the walker, may be the one to pay a price.

Property owners are free to arrange for their own sidewalk repair as an alternative, but the city pays half the cost if it is done through them. The property owner's cost is estimated to be between $75 and $90 per square, but the actual cost will be determined by the lowest bid for this contract (it has recently been around the $75 figure). The assessment can be paid in installments over a five-year period.

Curb replacement costs are also split with the city (the homeowner will pay about $20 a foot, though again it depends upon the contract). So take a look at your curbs. [This writer has watched her curbs gradually disintegrate, with the lawnmower scalping the grass to bare soil in the gaps. It's more than a pet peeve. Laura English of Friends of Lake Wingra says that even these small sources of erosion bring a significant loss of high quality habitat and degradation of water quality in the lake. Evidence? One of our neighborhood storm sewer outlets has produced a huge delta up to four feet deep.]

OTHER REPAIRS AND QUESTIONS

Property owners who want other concrete work done, for example, their driveway aprons, can arrange payment with the city's contractor (no city contribution, but probably cheaper because they are already working in the area). If you want sidewalk sections replaced that are not now marked, Mike Trotter is your contact in both cases, before April 7th. When you see the repair crew working their way toward your property, check to be sure there is nothing that needs to be moved from the city right of way (the terrace between the sidewalk and the street). If there is something to move, notify the city or remove it yourself so plants and sprinkler heads aren't damaged inadvertently by the workmen. Residents with questions about this and other aspects of the city's sidewalk replacement program may contact its supervisor, Mike Trotter at 266-4537 or mtrotter@cityofmadison.com (after 4/28 when he's back in the office).

http://www.dmna.org/sidewalks.shtml
Last Modified: 22-Apr-08 12:29 PM

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Madison, Wisconsin