In some cities, maintenance of sidewalks is not the responsibility of the city but of adjacent landowners. Philadelphia is finding what a hassle this arrangement can be. With countless blocks in disrepair, everyone is passing the buck.
Back in 1891, the city of Philadelphia adopted an ordinance assigning responsibility for sidewalk maintenance to adjacent landlords. This seemed like a good idea at a time when everyone walked and before laws like the Americans With Disabilities Act required that sidewalks always provide safe passage.
Today, many Philly sidewalks are impassible not just to citizens in wheelchairs, but also to just about anyone short of a mountain goat. And the city is finding, not surprisingly, that landlords and neighborhood associations aren't eager to pay up. The city has tried to fine landlords, but the fines are often paltry compared to the cost of compliance.
Neighborhood groups are searching for creative solutions. One of them suggests a list of "Top-10 Offenders" in case a public display might spur landlords to action.
"[P]articularly outside of Center City, where busted, tree-root shimmed and all-but-obliterated sidewalks are distressingly common. Philadelphia’s walkability is one of its chief strengths—but not on those stretches where sidewalks are in gross disrepair."
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