8th Ward Sidewalk Project

Improving The 8th Ward

Sidewalk Contractor Will Also
Replace Private Walks For A Charge

Thank you for the privilege of representing you in City Government. 

                     As a result of a special grant received for the benefit of the residents of the 8th Ward, you will continue to see damaged sidewalks being replaced throughout the Ward.

                     Stage one of the project intended to cover the 8th Ward from Harlem to Oak Park Avenue but was brought to a halt before completion due to early winter weather conditions.    The work which began this week (April 9, 2007) is to complete stage one.

                    However, stage two will not begin until around July 1 - after school is out for the summer.  Stage two will cover from Oak Park Avenue to Ridgeland in the 8th Ward.

 Not A 50-50 Program

                   Where the public sidewalks are concerned, the grant will cover100% of the cost of the project.  THIS IS NOT the usual “you pay 50% and the city pays 50%” program. The cost of the public sidewalk repair will be completely covered by the grant with NO COST TO YOU.

                   Please understand that, in order to qualify for the grant, the sidewalk square must be damaged (cracked).  This is why a detailed examination and report for each block was required.  In this regard, I am sure you will all join me in thanking my “8^TH Ward Blitz Squad”.  Together we located virtually every single damaged sidewalk square in the 8th Ward.  I provided the Public Works Department with a written "block by block" report.

                  This was an immense project and it was done by volunteers at no cost to you.  The generosity of the “Blitz Squad” illustrates that the 8th Ward can work together to improve the quality of life for everyone.  I will be posting the details of their hard work on my website to illustrate the extent of their efforts.

                  If you are interested in becoming part of the solution and have a positive impact on the 8th Ward, please REGISTER TODAY or contact me directly.                  

                   The sidewalk project is scheduled to resume around July 1^st (after schools are closed for the summer).   Sidewalks will  continue to be replaced in the 8th ward all the way East to Ridgeland.  (The 8th Ward extends from the East side of Harlem to the West side of Ridgeland between Roosevelt and 15th Street).

Replacement of Private Sidewalks

                   While taking my walks through the 8th Ward, I notice that some of the private sidewalks also need some attention.  The "Grant" does not cover the replacement of damaged sidewalks located on private property.  This of course would include the sidewalk that extends from the public sidewalk to your front door and the sidewalk that extends from the public sidewalk down the side of your house to the alley (gangway).  At our home on Maple Avenue there are a few sidewalk squares which should be replaced.

                   I contacted the sidewalk contractor and inquired as to whether or not he would be willing to replace private sidewalks in the 8th Ward and, if so, at what cost to the residents.  Last Fall he advised me that he would be willing to perform the work at a cost for $5.50 a square foot.  The head of the Public Works Department advised me that, "a 5X5 square should cost anywhere between $140 and $175 for a private homeowner."

                  However, the city gets a much better price than the residents.  The city pays as little as $3.61 a square foot.  This price is, obviously, related to the size of the job (quantity discount). 

                  Therefore,  I have posed the question to Public Works and the "grants" department as to whether or not residents can have work done on their private sidewalks for the $3.61 price if the work is done at the same time.  The initial response was that the price for work on the private sidewalks would be more than $3.61 a square foot but probably less than $5.50.

                  I am awaiting their report and will post the information on the BerwynFirst website.  We would appreciate hearing your thoughts on the issue.
                  

Best wishes
Joel Erickson

Special Note:

     I am deeply grateful to the "Blitz Squad" (which is composed of 8th Ward Resident Volunteers) for the time and effort they have devoted to this and other projects. Their generosity illustrates that the 8th Ward can work together to improve the quality of life for everyone.  I will be posting the details of their hard work on my website to illustrate the extent of their efforts.

Register Today To Be Notified When
Content Is Added To This Website.

Much More To Come

PLEASE BE PATIENT!

I am in the process of transfering NEW content as well as some of the old content from my original website.  If you have any questions or problems
I am always available

by email



8th Ward Hotline: (708) 484-4999

If you get my voicemail -  please leave a message

Thank You!