Columbus is updating its reimbursement program for fixing dilapidated sidewalks.
The Columbus Board of Works voted Tuesday to approve changes to the Shared Cost Sidewalk and Curb Program.
According to a memo from Executive Director of Public Works Dave Hayward, these include:
- Increasing sidewalk reimbursement from $4 per square foot to $6 per square foot
- Increasing curb reimbursement from $25 per linear foot to $50 per linear foot
- Making the program available to commercial property owners, with a reimbursement limit of $10,000 per year
- Setting a deadline of July 30 for applications
- Notifying property owners in school walk zones and park areas about the program and encouraging these individuals to apply (areas will be surveyed by staff prior to notification)
The program is intended to encourage property owners to repair or replace deteriorated sidewalks and curbs, which is already their responsibility under city code. He wrote that the city has seen increased costs for labor and materials, as well as decreasing demand for reimbursement, which motivated them to update the program.
“The program’s always been intended to be a 50-50 split to get the property owners to participate in the program and replace sidewalks that have been deteriorated,” he told the board. “As costs have increased, especially in the last couple of years, we’re no longer anywhere near the 50-50 split.”
Additionally, city officials are hoping to raise awareness of this resource. According to Hayward, the program has been around since 1992 and was expanded to include curb replacements in 2014. However, he said that the average homeowner likely doesn’t know about it or know that taking care of the sidewalk is their responsibility.
“We’re going to get a little more proactive,” he said. “In the past, we’ve always been letting things happen by word of mouth. This year, we’re actually going to go out and look for some areas, in particular school areas and park areas — or areas around parks, not necessarily parks and rec department — and then we’ll send them a letter, saying ‘Hey, did you know your sidewalk is deteriorated? Did you know we have a sidewalk program?’”
Hayward said that typically, as the year draws to a close, the city will use the program’s leftover funds to work on other sidewalk projects. However, officials need more time to allocate this money properly, which is why they’re now instituting the July 30 deadline for reimbursement applications. Previously there was no deadline.
Remaining funds will be used on projects from the city’s bicycle and pedestrian plan, city officials said.
