Wait list huge for Houston sidewalk repair program

HOUSTON – The city program that was set up to replace broken and dangerous sidewalks near schools and near disabled people's homes has a waiting list of 557 people, some of whom have been on the list since 2006, a Local 2 Investigation has found.

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Laura Medina lives in the Heights near East 8th Street and Arlington Street.

"We were told years ago that we were next on the list. They never came out," Medina told Local 2 investigative reporter Jace Larson.

City of Houston ordinances say property owners are responsible for sidewalks that border their property. But the city's Public Works deputy director says the city programs to replace sidewalks in some areas go beyond what the city legally has to do.

The city has repaired more than 800 sidewalks under its Safe Sidewalks program, but says it must prioritize its projects.

"We have a cap on how much we're going to allocate to that, much like you have a budget at home," Daniel Menendez, Houston Public Works Deputy Director, said.

Median is one of many people on the Safe Sidewalks waiting list.

The city's Safe Sidewalks program repairs, replaces or installs new sidewalks near disabled people's homes, for homeowners within four blocks of a school and along major streets lacking a safe way for pedestrians to get to shopping centers or bus stops.

The city says Medina has been on the wait list since 2009 and other projects keep bumping her down on the list because she already had a sidewalk.

The sidewalk along her house is disintegrating.

The city gives first priority to installing or replacing sidewalks along streets used by disabled people.

Next on the list are roads near schools and major streets that do not have existing sidewalks.

Last priority is given to existing sidewalks, such as Medina's.

Public Works plans to ask the City Council to approve a program that take away the headache and hassle for property owners.

The plan calls for the city to get bids from contractors, who would set a price for sidewalk repairs and replacement.

Homeowners would apply for the work to get done on their property and pay for it. The work would be coordinated by the city and residents may get a discount due to the volume of work the contractor is receiving.

The City Council has not yet approved the project.

Have a story idea for investigative reporter Jace Larson, email jlarson@kprc.com or text him at 832-493-3951.