The city is shifting from a piecemeal approach to sidewalk repairs that charged property owners with doing the work to a more streamlined, city-led process.
The city of Denver is taking a new approach to funding sidewalk repairs, using a fee levied on property owners to fund repairs managed by the city. According to a Marketplace report by Rebecca Tauber, voters approved the measure in 2022. In the past, property owners were also responsible for making the repairs, leading to a piecemeal approach.
“In Denver, most property owners will pay $150 annually starting in January. That should bring in about $40 million per year. With that kind of money, the goal is that the city can build and fix all sidewalks in a decade.” The program includes discounts for low-income property owners.
Having safe and effective sidewalk networks provides multiple benefits beyond safety and accessibility and ensures that all people can move around the city safely.
FULL STORY: Denver has a new way for paying for sidewalks
Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan
The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.
Denver Takes on Sidewalk Repair
The Colorado capital is the largest U.S. city to commit to maintaining its entire sidewalk network, funding repairs through a fee on property owners.
Chicago Allocates $500K to Sidewalk Clearing Pilot
Advocates of the Plow the Sidewalks program were asking for $1 million to start a pilot program in four areas of the city.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association