Sidewalk Construction and Safety

[Lori Allen _]

While it is great that some of the sidewalks are being done, I am concerned about the lack of safety precautions in place around the pieces of removed concrete. The only safety equipment/warnings around the missing concrete is typically one small, skinny cone. Some of the sidewalks on Clifton do have yellow tape around the holes, but these are few and far between. They should all have yellow tape or some kind of barrier to assist those with sight disabilities.

I know that City Hall reads the Deck (quite often, I believe). Could someone look at this and see if we could get more solid barriers and safety equipment until after the new concrete is poured and dry? Thanks.

Marlowe no barrier.jpg (85.52 KiB) Viewed 2799 times

[Lori Allen _]

I saw some poor woman today in a wheel chair who came upon one of these sidewalks. Jim you are right, I don't think the city cares about handicapped people!

[Valerie Molinski]

I saw some poor woman today in a wheel chair who came upon one of these sidewalks. Jim you are right, I don't think the city cares about handicapped people!

While I do agree that I would like to see some caps on the bars that stick up from around the form work, and I do feel for non ambulatory people when they have to get around these things, what exactly do you want the city to do? This is in front of a private residence. Usually, the contractors form these up and several others and can pour them all at once. They don't mix until they have quite a few ready to pour because it is expensive and wasteful to mix small batches of concrete for one or two new pads. They definitely shouldnt be sitting around ripped up for weeks like this, but it takes time to bust out the existing pads, prep the ground below, put the form work in, and then have the concrete ready IF the weather is good for a pour.

People need to fix these heaved or broken up pads which are horrible for all pedestrians, not just handicapped ones, and then when they do, it's not nearly quick enough for people who don't understand what's involved. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

[Lori Allen _]

I would expect the people that are hired at city hall should have the skills and expertise to know how to handle these situations. If they can't, perhaps their employment needs to be re- evaluated.

[Corey Rossen]

They could build a bridge over the construction zone part of the sidewalk. Or dig a tunnel under it.

[Dan Alaimo]

There are lots of city vehicles (including the police) criss-crossing this town all day. Any one of them could send a quick message to the appropriate department alerting them to the problems without taking away from their duties.

[Valerie Molinski]

I would expect the people that are hired at city hall should have the skills and expertise to know how to handle these situations. If they can't, perhaps their employment needs to be re- evaluated.

Again, what are your expectations? What is the situation? Who should handle this within City hall- the mayor, the council people? The building dept? Public works? Instead of just constantly braying complaints, figure out what the problem is and what you personally find not acceptable about it. This sidewalk work is privately hired by the property owner.

If this is so egregious, why don't you talk to the homeowner first and have them ask their contractor to do something about it instead of skulking around everyone's property to take pics to share on the Deck. If there is no change, use the One Lakewood app on your phone, take a pic, explain the issue and send it to city hall instead of hoping someone reads it here. That's what other people do, including myself.

[Valerie Molinski]

There are lots of city vehicles (including the police) criss-crossing this town all day. Any one of them could send a quick message to the appropriate department alerting them to the problems without taking away from their duties.

personally, I don't want the police phoning in sidewalk issues as they drive. They have bigger stuff to be concentrating on, including driving. There are miles and miles of sidewalks in Lakewood.

[cmager]

OSHA and common sense would demand orange caps on the stakes. Lest city leadership impale themselves in another lawsuit.

[Lori Allen _]

Dan and CMager,

Thank you, well said.

Valerie,

1. All of the sidewalks on this street are being done at once. I am pretty sure this is a city contractor. Therefore, I don't know how much control the homeowner would have. Part of the city's sidewalk program (which actually seems to be working fairly well) is to allow homeowners to opt-in with the contractor to have their sidewalk repaired or replaced at a price. Am I really going to knock on ten plus doors and ask them about their sidewalk? Couldn't that be a little bold? Come on. Additionally, the city has a sidewalk inspector that checks on the sidewalks that are being repaired to ensure that the concrete is being poured correctly and that city guidelines and requirements are being met. Also, there should be plans and guidelines given to the contractor ahead of time for how to deal with safety and pedestrian traffic issues.

2. City Hall reads the deck. This is quite obvious as almost all of the aforementioned sidewalks now have yellow tape around them. Obviously, someone took notice and corrected the problem. Does it really matter where I decide to voice my concerns, especially if City Hall reads the Deck? Nowhere in my original post did I "complain". I simply asked if someone could look into this issue. Is that so wrong?

3. With all due respect, I don't think you have the right to tell me where and how to voice my concerns. On the other hand, I am a giant sponge. I just absorb all of the arrows that come my way!

City Hall has now corrected this issue, thanks to the Deck. Nothing more to see or discuss here. Time to move along.

[cmager]

With all due respect, City has not corrected the problem until orange caps are placed on the stakes.

[Ryan Salo]

3. With all due respect, I don't think you have the right to tell me where and how to voice my concerns.

[Valerie Molinski]

3. With all due respect, I don't think you have the right to tell me where and how to voice my concerns.

It was a suggestion. Clearly you feel your current way is working, however. That's what great about free will- you can do what you want.

My opinion is that if you (the royal you, lest you think I'm telling you directly what to do again) find a new something everyday to clutch the pearls and complain about, pretty soon your voice loses efficacy. I like to choose which hills to die on based on what's most important to me instead of sounding the alarm for every single thing.

JMO. FWIW. WTF. BBQ.

[Lori Allen _]

Valerie, I am honored that you think I am royalty, however, this has been blown WAY out of proportion. It started off as a polite, simple request/suggestion and has turned into me being criticized for the way I go about making such request. Again, City Hall obviously reads the Deck. They must have felt some heat from this thread and some others.

I think it is well beyond time to put this topic to bed. The issue has been at least partially resolved and City Hall has been made aware of the issue. Mission accomplished.

Finally, this will not stop me from bringing things up that I feel need to be addressed.

[Lori Allen _]

UPDATE:

The contractor has been a lot better recently with taping off the holes and wet cement.

City Hall and Contractor: thank you.