MATT WEGWERTH
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/CITY ENGINEER
GRAND RAPIDS (POPULATION 11,283)

The City of Grand Rapids has several ordinances that outline property owners’ responsibilities related to regular maintenance of public sidewalks, including snow removal, debris clearing, and vegetation.

Property owners clear sidewalks of snow, ice

Property owners are required to remove snow and ice within 12 hours after any snow or ice event. If the public works director determines that removal does not meet the terms of the ordinance, the city will record the cost of removal and document the properties adjacent to the sidewalks that required clearing. The city attorney’s office will assist in issuing the fees related to sidewalk clearing, if necessary.

Public works staff assists with snow removal from walks and parking areas in the downtown business district, but ultimately it is the property owner’s responsibility to clear the sidewalks. Additionally, it is unlawful for property owners to place snow from private property onto property normally used by the public, which includes sidewalks.

City responsible for sidewalk repairs, replacement

The snow and ice policy does not include any guidance on repairs or replacement of public sidewalks related to property owners. The city is responsible for repair or replacement of public sidewalks as necessary.

City staff perform sidewalk and pedestrian ramp inspections on a rotating four-year basis, separating the city into quadrants. Staff inspect for trip hazards, deteriorating panels, and non-compliance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA) sidewalk requirements. If repairs are necessary, the city gathers estimates and the project is then scheduled for completion. The public works annual budget funds sidewalk repairs and replacement as necessary. Public works staff complete smaller projects, while larger projects are contracted out.

Residents submit sidewalk, street concerns via app

Residents can also alert staff of safety concerns on our sidewalks and roadways via a public reporting app. The web-based program automatically sends a notification to the appropriate department depending on specific concerns ranging from potholes or road hazards to sidewalk, trail, or park concerns.

TIM HIMMER
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
COON RAPIDS (POPULATION 64,128)

The City of Coon Rapids maintains all sidewalks, approximately 105 miles, within the public right-of-way. While this is no easy feat, the unwritten policy was decided long ago in an effort to create a walkable community. Installation of sidewalks can be controversial at times, so removing the maintenance responsibility from adjacent property owners reduces one potential drawback of adding more to the system.

The city continually evaluates the existing sidewalk system, looking for non-compliant ADA concerns, gaps, and opportunities for repairs and upgrades with our annual street reconstruction and recently adopted complete streets program. Staff also evaluates and responds to requests from the public, considers installation requirements with private development, and performs condition assessments during other maintenance activities.

Funding sidewalk initiatives

Funding for sidewalk initiatives is handled in a few different ways. Substantial construction or maintenance activities are linked to a reconstruction project and included in the feasibility study. New or redevelopment projects may be required to install sidewalks or pay into the sidewalk fund for future construction. and scoped specialty projects can request funding from the city’s capital sidewalk fund.

Public works staff assist with snow clearing

The streets division bears the brunt of the maintenance obligations, with assistance from engineering staff on the addition of new segments and other public works groups with snow clearing activities. We currently have five sidewalk plow routes, and it takes approximately 8-10 hours to get sidewalks passable early in the season when there is minimal snow cover. The total time to clear sidewalks can double later in the season when heavy snowpack develops. Additional clean-up activities (providing storage and access to traffic signal push buttons, pedestrian ramps, and bus stops) occur as time and resources allow.

All public works personnel are responsible for assisting with snow clearing. Since the same city staff must perform multiple operations within a snow event, it can be difficult at times to address all needs. The city first prioritizes clearing the roadways and making them safe and passable before addressing sidewalks and trails. Multiple back-to-back snow events or seasonal freeze-thaw conditions can create a challenge for timely and complete clearing of all sidewalks and pedestrian ways.