Sidewalks are important for traveling around our City. Missing sidewalks and sidewalks in disrepair make it difficult for everyone, especially those with disabilities, elders, children, and parents with strollers to travel safely.
Feet First Philly recently launched #FundSidewalks campaign to address the state of sidewalks in Philadelphia. Philadelphia has over 230 miles of broken sidewalks, 250 miles of missing sidewalks and there is no City agency responsible for fixing these problems. We are asking the Mayor to include $500k per year for sidewalks, which is less than 1% of the Streets Department’s budget. The funds would allow the City to start planning for a better way to maintain sidewalks, including coming up with creative ways to support low-income property owners.
What will the funding be used for?
- Hire a sidewalk coordinator
- Launch an ADA transition plan or sidewalks master plan process
- Develop a strategy for funding sidewalk repair in Phases 2-4
- Analyze 311 data on “dangerous sidewalk” requests
- Establish sidewalk repair standards
- Launch education and outreach campaign
- Leverage existing programs
They need your help to spread the word about this campaign to ask the Mayor and City Council to add sidewalk funding to this year’s budget. Our goal is for the Mayor to create a position for a sidewalk coordinator and initiate coordination within City government to get sidewalks fixed. We have an entire department that focuses on paving streets where people drive, but not a single person whose job is to address sidewalks.
To sign the petition please visit https://cleanaircouncil.salsalabs.org/fund-sidewalks-now/index.html?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=29f9bfa2-2d74-48c0-9256-741fdab78ca9
