---

 [ ARCHIVE ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=16)

#  ‘Fix and Release’ Sidewalk Repair Plan: A Flawed Strategy

November 16 2015

Written by Joe Linton.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Nov-2015/093h.png)SIDEWALKS IN SERIOUS NEED-On Monday, November 16, two committees of the Los Angeles City Council were scheduled to discuss a proposal that will shape the future of the city’s sidewalks.

The joint meeting of the city’s Public Works and Budget Committees were set to take place at 2 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers. Critics of the proposal argue that the city fails to treat sidewalks as a serious core of the mobility network.

Readers may recall that the [city faces a backlog of sidewalk repair estimated $1.5 billion](http://la.streetsblog.org/2012/01/31/city-can-fix-the-sidewalks-now-or-wait-for-the-court-orders/). In contrast to other transportation networks – streets, freeways, bike paths – [responsibility (and liability) for sidewalks is somewhat complicated](http://la.streetsblog.org/2011/10/28/how-can-l-a-fix-its-sidewalks/). Legally, the underlying property owner is responsible for building and maintaining walk access. In the past, the city took some responsibility for repairs, but the sidewalks deteriorated faster than the city was able to fix them. In 2014, the LA City Council decided to target limited sidewalk funding only to repair sites in front of city-owned properties. [Those repairs are underway](http://la.streetsblog.org/2015/03/31/eyes-on-the-street-some-l-a-city-sidewalk-repairs-on-the-way/).

In 2015, the city [committed to $1.4 billion worth of sidewalk repair](http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/04/01/50727/l-a-to-pay-1-4-billion-in-sidewalk-repairs-settlin/) in order to settle *Willits vs. City of Los Angeles* – a class action lawsuit over LA’s failure to make the public pedestrian right-of-way accessible to disabled people. LA will the invest $1.4 billion over the next 30 years.

The city’s proposed sidewalk strategy is being called **“fix and release.”** City funds would pay to repair sidewalks damaged by tree roots. The city would guarantee the work for five years, then the underlying property owner would be responsible for any future sidewalk repair.

Unfortunately, “fix and release” repairs are limited to specific areas of the city. The city would only fix sidewalks in front of residential properties. Commercial properties are not included in the program. The city would continue to fix sidewalks in front of city facilities, but not at other governmental properties, including schools.

Though “fix and release” would be expected to improve many of LA’s failing sidewalks, the policy has numerous drawbacks. Ultimately, it creates an inconsistent patchwork, with little to no assurance of consistent repairs now or maintenance in the future.

Furthermore, “fix and release” is more likely to fail in low-income neighborhoods. And it may even incentivize a great deal of tree removal, as property owners considering their own liability will decide to remove “nuisance” trees. It may result in newly-repaired unshaded pavement that becomes unusable because it will be unbearably hot during much of the year.

{module \[1177\]}

What is the solution? Investing in Place’s Jessica Meaney states that “Los Angeles needs to fund and maintain its sidewalks as part of its transportation network – just like we do our roadways.” In a comment letterthe AARP’s State Director Nancy McPherson expresses a similar sentiment stating that AARP strongly supports “reimagining our sidewalks as an integral piece of the city’s infrastructure, one which produces multiple benefits for Angelenos of all ages.”

Instead of adopting the “fix and release” proposal *as is*, Investing in Place, AARP, and other livability advocates are urging the city to first fund and perform an inventory of existing and missing sidewalks.

From the inventory, advocates are urging the city to further create “a prioritization plan based on data and need” taking into account Vision Zero, equity, public health, and pedestrian and transit use data.

They state that the inventory and prioritization plan would help the city “to leverage other sources of funds to accelerate and successfully implement this infrastructure program in a more effective and inclusive manner.”

*(Joe Linton is the editor of* [**StreetsblogLA**](http://la.streetsblog.org/2015/10/30/l-a-city-council-plans-re-vote-on-mobility-plan-2035/)*. He founded the LA River Ride, co-founded the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, worked in key early leadership roles at CicLAvia and C.I.C.L.E., served on the board of directors of Friends of the LA River, Southern California Streets Initiative, and LA Eco-Village.) Photo: Waltarr/Flickr  Edited for* CityWatch *by Linda Abrams.*

 *-cw*

CityWatch

Vol 13 Issue 93

Pub: Nov 17, 2015

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Message

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/e3/067m-e39a930e.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33250:missing-middle-la-city-plannings-new-approach-to-attainable-housing&catid=429)

### [Missing Middle. LA City Planning’s New Approach to “Attainable” Housing](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33250:missing-middle-la-city-plannings-new-approach-to-attainable-housing&catid=429)

MY TAKE - As if Sacramento’s relentless parade of housing-streamlining legislation hasn’t disrupted Los Angeles neighbo…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/ed/068d-ed5f9acd.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

### [Zuckerberg May Finally Pay a Price for Preying on Our Children](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

IN MY VIEW - As a mother of two children who has often been on the losing side of family battles against screen time, I…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/068h-88c43353.jpeg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33266:california-cant-insure-its-homes-now-sacramento-wants-to-insure-the-trees&catid=385)

### [California Can’t Insure Its Homes. Now Sacramento Wants to Insure the Trees](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33266:california-cant-insure-its-homes-now-sacramento-wants-to-insure-the-trees&catid=385)

INSURANCE EMERGENCY - California homeowners are struggling to find affordable coverage while Sacramento explores a new…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a2/067c-a222052b.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33241:exclusive-john-mckinney-warns-city-hall-enforce-the-law-demand-accountability&catid=401)

### [EXCLUSIVE: John McKinney Warns City Hall. Enforce the Law. Demand Accountability.](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33241:exclusive-john-mckinney-warns-city-hall-enforce-the-law-demand-accountability&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Los Angeles has laws. It has prosecutors. It has billions of dollars flowing through City Hall. What…

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/5e/068b-5ea6d1bc.jpg) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33262:will-the-mega-merger-of-equity-residential-and-avalonbay-communities-hurt-tenants&catid=429)

### [Will the Mega-Merger of Equity Residential and AvalonBay Communities Hurt Tenants?](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33262:will-the-mega-merger-of-equity-residential-and-avalonbay-communities-hurt-tenants&catid=429)

HOUSING IS A HUMAN RIGHT - Corporate landlords Equity Residential and AvalonBay Communities have officially merged to f…

---

##  [ ARCHIVE ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=16)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2018/034e.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15339:early-intervention-and-jobs-are-key-to-stemming-chronic-homelessness-in-los-angeles&catid=16)### [Early Intervention and Jobs are Key to Stemming Chronic Homelessness in Los Angeles](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15339:early-intervention-and-jobs-are-key-to-stemming-chronic-homelessness-in-los-angeles&catid=16)

### [Tucker Carlson and Gay Rightwinger Blame California Wildfires On Hiring LGBTQ People](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18755:tucker-carlson-and-gay-rightwinger-blame-california-wildfires-on-hiring-lgbtq-people&catid=16)

### [Anti-LGBTQ Veep Just Can’t Stop Talking about Mayor Pete](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17690:anti-lgbtq-veep-just-can-t-stop-talking-about-mayor-pete&catid=16)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2018/033j.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15316:news-pulse-corrupt-system-reason-for-not-voting-in-2018-majority-wants-more-than-two-parties&catid=16)### [NEWS PULSE: ‘Corrupt System’ Reason for Not Voting in 2018 … Majority Wants More Than Two Parties](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15316:news-pulse-corrupt-system-reason-for-not-voting-in-2018-majority-wants-more-than-two-parties&catid=16)

 [ ![](https://mail.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Jan-2016/1404d.png) ](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10245:dead-dog-set-on-fire-sparks-fears-for-strays-in-los-angeles&catid=16)### [Dead Dog Set on Fire … Sparks Fears for Strays in Los Angeles](https://mail.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10245:dead-dog-set-on-fire-sparks-fears-for-strays-in-los-angeles&catid=16)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>