Lakewood Outlines Strategy for Sidewalk Improvements

LAKEWOOD, OH — The city of Lakewood is taking measures to become the most pedestrian friendly city in Ohio, but you may have to pay for it.

As part of a 10-year-plan to improve the city's 180 miles of sidewalk, the city will be inspecting for "trip hazards," in three zones starting in June. This year marks the fourth phase of the plan, which began in 2013.

"This project will improve our city’s sidewalks, one section at a time,” said Joe Beno, the city’s director of public works, in a press release. “It will also ensure pedestrian safety and our goal of being pedestrian-friendly.”

This year the city will be concentrating its inspection efforts in three sections of the city: Lakewood: 27A, Detroit to the south side of Lake, Cove to Nicholson avenues; No. 18, the north side of Clifton Boulevard, from Nicholson to Belle avenues; and No. 3 (from Detroit to south side of Clifton, Granger to West Clifton).

So what happens if the city does find, "trip hazards," on your property? It's going to cost you.

One of our goals is to be the most pedestrian-friendly city,” said Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers in a press release. “We all have a role to play.”

Residents have two payment options to pay for fixes to the sidewalks. They can obtain a permit and fix it themselves, or participate in a citywide bid to a contractor. In Fall 2015, the city inspected around 1,000 properties and residents had to pay either $35 to grind each trip hazard or $7 to replace each square foot of hazardous sidewalk.

Property owners will receive a letter from the city if an inspection uncovers hazardous sidewalk on their properties.

[Photo courtesy of the city of Lakewood]