City Will Force Residents to Fix Sidewalks

Nearly 80 residents will have to spend some cash in the coming months to fix sidewalks in front of their homes, according to a Tuesday decision by the City Council.

Some could spend more than $1,000 because of the material cost $17 to $25 per square foot. The sidewalk repair areas range from 9 square feet to 85 square feet. The city will pick up half of the cost.

The program, in which inspectors looked for cracking and heaving of one inch or more in residential sidewalks, had been on hold waiting for council direction on whether to use plain concrete, interlocking brick pavers or the historical Ole Hanson tiles—the rectangular terra cotta tiles like the ones that comprise the sidewalk near the pier.

There have also been problems with the contractor who manufactures the Ole Hanson tiles. Arto tiles has improved the coefficient of friction on their offerings in light of complaints that the tiles on the sloping sidewalk leading down into the Pier Bowl were too slippery.

City staff asked for direction in enforcing city policy: owners are required to replace broken sidewalks with more expensive tile if the home is in the zoning district that requires tile. The tile and pavers can cost more than double other materials, leading to equity concerns in forcing residents to fix their walks.

The decision on a comprehensive plan for repairing and extending the sidewalk network and what sort of material to use was pushed to a future meeting, but council members decided to continue the current policy of allowing owners to install tiles if they choose or otherwise follow the existing zoning rules for sidewalk materials.