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Sidewalk Inspection and Repair
Current Program: People-Powered Transportation Program (PPTP)
Each year, sidewalk repairs are done by the city. These repairs are done at no direct charge to our residents, businesses, and property owners. Repairs are done in a specified section of the city and include safety repairs, new signage, and pavement markings. These improvements are done in conformance with the City’s People Powered Transportation and Sidewalk Repair Program (PPTP), which began in the summer of 2015.
View Project Map
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will I be charged anything for the sidewalk repairs?
NO! – Unlike previous sidewalk repair programs, there will be no special assessments and no direct cost to you. The program will be paid for with existing City funds and you will not be assessed any additional amount. - Do I need to do anything further?
NO! A City contractor will be doing all the work. - How long will the work take?
Typically, construction will take 1 week at a given location. - Will I be able to drive into my driveway?
The only time there will be driveway closures is if a sidewalk square that needs to be replaced is within a driveway. The contractor or City inspector will be in direct contact with you prior to closing a driveway. Barriers will be placed at drives to prevent vehicles from damaging new concrete. Parking will be in the street in permitted areas. When the contractor or inspector removes the barriers you may use the driveway. - Will the Contractor restore my lawn?
YES! The contractor will restore the areas disturbed by construction, including backfill, topsoil, seed and mulch. Please note: While the contractor finishes concrete work in the project area, there may be a delay between completion of concrete work at a given location and final restoration, but they will restore all disturbed areas. - I have a lawn sprinkler system – Will it get damaged?
The contractor will try to avoid damaging in-ground irrigation systems. However, if it does get damaged, they will fix it at no expense to you. If you have a system with sprinkler heads that are close to the sidewalk, you may wish to mark them with a small flag or marker so they are more visible. - Can I ask the contractor to do more concrete work for me on my own property (new driveway, etc.)?
YES! Each year we receive numerous inquiries as to whether property owners can have additional concrete work done at the time of sidewalk replacement. Our contractor may be willing to do additional work for property owners. This work, which requires a separate permit, would be contractual between you and the contractor and can not be a part of the City program. If you desire to have additional work done please contact the contractor directly when work starts in your area. - Can I do the work myself?
While unlikely, if you wish to do the public sidewalk work yourself or have a contractor do it for you, you may do so at your expense; however, the City will not reimburse you for any work done. In addition, if you elect to repair the sidewalk yourself or hire a contractor to do so, all work and materials must meet the City’s sidewalk specifications. If you or your contractor do the work a permit and inspection is required prior to the pour. There is no permit fee for up to five squares of walk. For over five squares the permit fee is ninety-five dollars ($95.00). If the walk is not replaced prior to the City’s contractor arriving to complete the work, it will be done by the City’s contractor. Please note that sidewalk repairs must be through complete slab replacement. Temporary repairs such as caulking, ramping, wedging, grinding or hydraulic jacking are not permitted. - Just double-checking – There is NO special assessment or bill for the repair work – Right?
CORRECT! You will not be billed for the sidewalk repair work and there is no special assessment. - Who can I call if I have any more questions?
Department of Public Services: 248-589-2294
In 2014, City Council adopted a new People Powered Transportation & Sidewalk Repair Program, available here:
Policy and map (pdf)
The City first started its systematic sidewalk repair program in 1987. The City Council was concerned about the deteriorated condition of sidewalks creating pedestrian safety and liability problems within the City. City Council directed staff to initiate a multi-year program that would cover the entire City. This work is done on an area-by-area basis.
In 1999, the City Council adopted a goal to "identify gaps in the sidewalk network, develop financing and implement multi-year programs to improve pedestrian access and safety." Planned action steps included:
- Develop a new multi-year City-wide sidewalk repair schedule
- Identify sidewalk gaps, prioritize their importance to the City-wide system, and install prioritized gaps on the same multi-year sidewalk schedule
- Develop a Sidewalk Gap Financing Policy to address funding mechanism for gap construction
After 2001 (final year of the original fourteen year program), the entire City sidewalk system had been inspected and repaired to a half inch trip standard. However, over time the sidewalk system continued to need ongoing repair. In addition, several areas of the City had "gaps" within the sidewalk system that resulted in poor or incomplete pedestrian circulation.
In 2002 City Council implemented a new Sidewalk and Special Assessment District Policy. The policy accomplished several objectives, including the following:
- Established a new multi-year repair program, continuing the City's successful efforts to maintain our sidewalks to a 1/2 inch trip standard City wide
- Established a new program to fill in the remaining sidewalk gaps throughout the City to complete our sidewalk system within the same multi-year schedule
- Substandard sidewalk width (several areas have 4' wide sidewalk. 5' wide is standard)
- 4' walk that is otherwise undamaged to be replaced with 5' sidewalk by the to eliminate trip hazards
- 4' wide sidewalk that is damaged will be replaced with 5' sidewalk, included in the SAD, and pair for by the property owner, to eliminate trip hazards
- Corner lots - side age sidewalk funding - To reduce the financial burden on corner lot properties 50% of the cost of damaged side age sidewalk will be paid by the City
- A mechanism to address hardship claims was created
As with the first program, this program repaired dangerous, broken and deteriorated sidewalks. In addition the program replaced all non-standard ( 4 foot wide) sidewalk with 5 foot sidewalk to bring all walks up to current code, installed barrier free ramps at corners where required, installed missing sections of sidewalk (gaps) and replaced a limited number of driveway aprons (between the sidewalk and curb) where there was a hazard or construction problem along the sidewalk. As part of the program, the City paid for the upgrade of all 4" sidewalk which was in good condition otherwise and paid for one half of the cost of damaged side yard walks on corner lots.
As part of the Sidewalk Repair Program, the City's contractor replaces key flags and handicapped ramps at intersections and general sidewalk repairs and replacement. Funding was provided by property owners' special assessments each year on a district-by-district basis.
Under the City Code property owners are responsible for the maintenance of the sidewalks that abut their property. Under the sidewalk repair program, the property owners had the option of repairing their sidewalks or having the City's contractor complete the work. The City financed the contracted work and charged the property owners for the work through a three-year special assessment payment program.
- View a copy of the 1987 - 1989 Sidewalk Program Map (PDF)
- View a copy of the 1990 - 2000 Sidewalk Program Map (PDF)
- View a copy of the 2002 - 2014 Sidewalk Program and Gap Map (PDF)
- View a copy of the 2015 - 2020 Sidewalk Program and Gap Map (PDF)
- View our Repair Criteria (PDF)
- View our City Sidewalk Standards (PDF)
- View a copy of the 2021-2024 Sidewalk Inspection and Repair