Scarborough secures $200,000 for sidewalk repairs

Residents of southeast Queens with sidewalks uprooted in front of their homes will soon have the chance to level off their walkways.
“It’s a tremendous problem,” said Assemblymember William Scarborough. “It’s not just a problem in southeast Queens, but in all of Queens.”
Scarborough has obtained $200,000 to repair sidewalks damaged by curbside trees in southeast Queens. The repairs are part of a program run by the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
The biggest problem with the cracking sidewalks is that they pose a safety hazard, Scarborough said. People can trip on the sidewalk, which may lead to litigation against the homeowner.
While property owners are unable to remove the trees, the city can still fine them for the uneven walkways.
“I know how frustrating it is for homeowners at no fault of their own,” Scarborough said.
One- two- and three- family homes are eligible for the program. Sidewalks with the most damage and those in high traffic areas will be fixed first.
The Parks Department will use numerous strategies to fix the walkways, including ramps, curving sidewalks around trees, and expanding tree pits.
Community Board (CB) 13 Chair Richard Hellenbrecht said the best part of the program is that residents do not have to pay for the repairs, which they had to do before it began.
Hellenbrecht said several years ago he had to pay out of his own pocket to fix the sidewalk in front of his house, adding that it became a significant cost. His contractor fixed the problem, but now Hellenbrecht said he sees his sidewalk cracking again.
“Making sure it is done right rather than just done is the way to do it,” Hellenbrecht said.
The program has been around since 2005, but got off to a slow start, Hellenbrecht said.
In the program’s infancy many homeowners thought they were going to see repairs, only to find their sidewalks still cracked.
But, under Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s new environmental plans, Hellenbrecht said he has seen more areas being fixed.
Since April 2007, 436 sidewalk sites have been fixed in Queens. The average cost for repairs is $2,111.
Those wishing to have their sidewalk inspected for possible repairs should contact 3-1-1.