Sidewalk repair ordinance

2425 Clement St. #2 San Francisco, Ca. 94121 December 12, 2006 Mayor Gavin Newsom Office of the Mayor Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Rm. 200 SanFrancisco, CA 94102-4641
RE: Sidewalk Repair Ordinance
Mayor Newsom,
As a resident of San Francisco, I object to the recent efforts to enforce the sidewalk repair law that places the cost of sidewalk maintenance on the backs of property owners. I, and many other taxpayers in this city, believe it should be the city’s responsibility to maintain the public walkways. Many of these property owners are elderly, on fixed incomes, and are not in a position to afford the hundreds or thousands of dollars for repairs. While I am in complete agreement that the sidewalks do need repair, the city’s sudden and strict enforcement of the outdated law is unfair and the city should find another method to finance the project.
The quality of the sidewalks reflects on the quality of life for all the citizens of the city as well as the visitors who come here. It is only reasonable to have the burden of the repair costs shouldered by the city. The sidewalk is not the property of the owner of the adjacent property. The tactics of the Department of Public Works have been abusive, as they have threatened property owners with fines and unreasonable deadlines. The city should find taxpayer money to finance the repairs and leave the property owners alone.
The estimated cost of repairing the nearly 5, 200 blocks of city sidewalk has been quoted as $1. 5 million. This is a reasonable amount and the city would benefit from this improvement. However, the cost of enforcing the ordinance has been put at $1. 3 million. Instead of spending the money on enforcement, the city should spend the money to do the needed repairs. It does not make sense to spend $1. 3 million to enforce a law that will only save the city $1. 5 million. Financially, this is a break-even proposition. However, it will cause hardship to those citizens that are required to pay for the repairs. It will leave bitterness and resentment in its wake as property owners get slapped with a bill for a public works project.
I am proud of our fine city and am fully in support of the efforts to renovate and repair the sidewalks. It just does not make sense to have private property owners stand the cost of repairing a public walkway. The money is not the issue as the city plans to spend as much on the unfair enforcement as it would cost to do the needed repairs. The city should do the property owners, residents, and visitors a favor and have the sidewalks repaired at the expense of all the taxpayers.
A concerned citizen,
[Name]