Sidewalk Improvement Program

<li>The Task Force’s proposal created five Sidewalk Improvement Districts.</li>

<li>﻿The money raised in each district will only be used to improve sidewalks in that district.</li>

Under the City’s prior policy, the abutting property owner was responsible for full sidewalk construction and repair costs.  This policy has led to the construction of very little new sidewalk in the last twenty years (and owner resistance to sidewalk construction projects). The enforcement of the repair policy is administratively difficult and leads to repair delays. The Mayor convened a Sidewalk Task Force, chaired by the City Attorney, in February 2013 to address these problems.&nbsp;

﻿Treat sidewalks as a shared resource and build more sidewalks!

<li>This plan makes each property owner responsible for a fair share of the cost of nearby sidewalk work.</li>

During the 5 years the program has been in effect, the City of Ithaca has improved 149 blocks and successfully implemented 70,100 linear feet of block improvements. Scroll through the maps below to see the improvements over time.

<li>Each lot is subject to annual assessment.</li>

Continue to include tax -exempt property owners in sidewalk financing

<li>Cornell’s main campus is excluded, making the University responsible for its own sidewalks</li>

Proposed New Construction 2020

Proposed New Construction 2019 - 2020

Proposed repair existing sidewalk 2020

Proposed repair or replace existing sidewalk 2019 - 2020

New Sidewalk Through 2018

SideWalk Improvements Through 2018

Sidewalk Cuttings and Raisings 2018

New Sidewalk Through 2017

SideWalk Improvements Through 2017

Sidewalk Cuttings and Raisings 2017

New Sidewalk Through 2016

SideWalk Improvements Through 2016

Sidewalk Cuttings and Raisings 2016

New Sidewalk Through 2015

SideWalk Improvements Through 2015

Sidewalk Cuttings and Raisings 2015

SideWalk Improvements Through 2014

Sidewalk Cuttings and Raisings 2014

SideWalkProgramData

SidewalkCuttingsAndRaisings

SidewalkImprovementDistricts

Make sidewalk costs fair and predictable for property owners

The new sidewalk policy went into effect January, 2014. This program moves away from burdening individual property owners with the entire cost of sidewalk installation and maintenance for sidewalks adjoining their property, towards the creation of 5 Sidewalk Improvement Districts (SID) funded by an annual sidewalk assessment fee.

For more detailed information on the sidewalk program, visit the sidewalk program page on the City of Ithaca website:

<li>The districts distribute costs for sidewalk maintenance throughout the City of Ithaca.﻿</li>