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Atlanta considers paying for sidewalks

Kirkwood and East Lake

Atlanta considers paying for sidewalks

A sidewalk in Kirkwood. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt
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A sidewalk in Kirkwood. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

A sidewalk in Kirkwood. Photo by Dan Whisenhunt

A pedestrian advocacy group says that Atlanta might soon start picking up the tab for residential sidewalks.

PEDS sent an email to supporters on July 10 asking people to call their City Council members to support the new policy.

“If approved, the City will no longer make property owners pay to repair sidewalks that abut their sidewalks. We’ve been asking for this for years – and are thrilled that City Council members are stepping up to help the City develop a better sidewalk program,” the email says. “Atlanta’s proposed infrastructure bond makes it likely the city will use $30 – $40 million of tax dollars to repair or replace many of the city’s broken sidewalks. Given that, requiring individual property owners to pay for sidewalks repairs in other locations would be extremely unfair.”

The city’s Utilities Committee will discuss the ordinance at its July 15 meeting, according to PEDS.

Last month, the city sought input on a proposal that would increase the cost of installing residential sidewalks by as much as 164 percent.

City Councilwoman Natalyn Archibong, who represents Kirkwood and chairs the Utilities Committee, said she wasn’t in favor of that idea.

“We’ve got some work to do on our side before we go to the citizens and say, ‘Pay more,’” she said.

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