City sidewalk maintenance programs across the Miami Valley are catching some homeowners off-guard, unaware that they could be held responsible for costly repairs at any moment. Sharon and Dale Strader of Springfield live on a corner lot and were shocked when the city sent them a notice to fix problems with the sidewalk on their property.
"Some were just little cracks. How is that a trip hazard?" questioned Sharon Strader.
Since the Straders did not have the money to hire a contractor to do the work, the city's contractor fixed it. Later. the Straders were again surprised to see the bill came to more than $3,600.
"You had no say. You are at their mercy," said Dale Strader.
Strader said he was aware that the sidewalk was their responsibility, but did not know that the city could force them to pay thousands of dollars to fix it on a predetermined schedule.
Springfield Deputy City Manager Bryan Heck said the city sidewalk program is designed to keep the pavement in good order and safe to pedestrians.
"When you have the constant freeze and thaw, you will see the upheaval of sidewalk curb and gutter and you'll see the deterioration as it breaks down over time," Heck said.
In Springfield, the city inspects sidewalks along sections of roadway that are about to be repaved. That way, said Heck, problems are fixed in a more logical and economic manner.
What may be a source of confusion for home owners is that sidewalk programs in different cities operate under local rules, and can vary from place to place. Oakwood, for example, inspects every section of sidewalk in the city every four years. Any deficient sections must be replaced and the home owner is billed. What makes their program different is that owners of corner lots must pay for only the sidewalks on the frontage. Repairs for walks in the side yard are paid for by the city. Washington Township goes many steps further. There, the township pays for all sidewalk repairs regardless of the location.
Montgomery County Recorder Willis Blackshear said home owners should be familiar with the boundary lines of their property and the responsibilities that come with being a property owner. He said technically, people do not own the sidewalks in front of their home but are responsible for their upkeep. The sidewalks, said Blackshear, are in the public right of way, just like the curbs, gutter and street.
The city of Dayton discontinued its sidewalk program in 2006. Since then, the city takes action only in response to complaints. If a hazard is reported by a pedestrian, the property owner is notified to fix the problem as soon as possible and given a list of bonded contractors capable of making the repairs.
