Ron Nagai, Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council Boardmember

Majestic tree lined streets in Porter Ranch are unfortunately plagued with cracked, broken and dangerous sidewalks. To address this issue, Mr. Ming Gong, Los Angeles Program Manager for the 50/50 Sidewalk Reconstruction Project was the guest speaker at an informative and emotional Porter Ranch Neighborhood Council meeting on July 8, 2008.

He explained that the City has 11,000 miles of sidewalk, 4,000 miles of which needs repair. No permanent repairs were completed from 1976 to 2000. Last year 59 miles were repaired. At that rate it would take the City 83 years to repair sidewalks currently damaged.

The 50/50 program was created to accelerated sidewalk repair. Participating residents pay 50% of the reconstruction cost and the City of Los Angeles contributes the matching funds. The reconstruction cost of $18/square foot includes labor, materials and necessary tree work. Those interested in the program should contact Mr. Gong’s office at 818 374-6857. The first step is to schedule an on site meeting with an estimator. Upon payment of the resident’s 50% share ($9/square foot), the project will be scheduled for completion within 3-6 months. The participating residents are asked to sign an agreement which details the scope of work and their share of the reconstruction cost.

Some benefits of the program include: no permit fees, no inspection fees, workmanship guaranteed for five years and of course safe sidewalks. Signing up for the program moves you up the priority list for sidewalk repair.

This program currently handles about 450 requests a year. They are hoping to add two new crews which would increase capacity to 900 requests per year. The program only applies to residential requests.

Some stakeholders expressed concern at the meeting that the City has created a two tier system for those who can pay and those who can’t, even though all are subject to being sued by people tripping on damaged sidewalks. One resident pointed out that the City’s pine tree in front of her house has caused three temporary repairs, which actually make the sidewalk more dangerous. Shouldn’t the City address the root cause: the tree? Requests were also made to handle damaged sidewalks on Rinaldi and broken crape myrtle trees on Sesnon.