Understanding the City’s Sidewalk Strategy

The city of Lakewood is entering its fifth phase of a 10-year strategy to improve the city’s 180 miles of sidewalks and keep them among the most pedestrian-friendly in the state.

Each year, the city sends inspectors to check the sidewalks for “trip hazards.”

This year, the city is focusing on three main sections in Lakewood: 20, 12, 4, all from Detroit to Clifton.

In the fall of 2016, approximately 1,000 properties were inspected. Residents with trip hazards will fall into one of two categories: Grinding the seams of the sidewalk (at $34 per seem); replaced (approximately $7 per square foot).

Residents have some options. They can pay to have the sidewalk fixed themselves (after obtaining a permit) or participate in a citywide bid with the city’s contractor — the idea being to lower the price for property owners.

Property owners with identified sidewalk issues will receive a mailed letter from the city.

“One of our goals is to be the most pedestrian-friendly city,” said Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers. “We all have a role to play.”

“We began this project in 2013, and we made some improvements to make it more efficient, more cost-effective and more simple moving forward. We took a more customer-centric approach this year versus a more regulatory approach.”

The fifth phase of the 10-year plan runs from May through November. The city is using a map that divides the city into 30 sections, and plans to inspect three sections — or 10 percent — each year.

“This project will improve our city’s sidewalks, one section at a time,” said Joe Beno, the city’s director of public works. “It will also ensure pedestrian safety and our goal of being pedestrian-friendly.”

For this year’s phase, the city will pay for sidewalks damaged by the trees in the tree lawns. Have a look at the attached map to see if your street is getting an inspection.

For more about the city’s sidewalk strategy, click here.