It seems a shortage of funds to finance proposed sidewalk repairs has spared the trees targeted for removal on the 700 and 800 blocks of Lucerne Blvd, for the moment, according to our local arbor activist and Windsor Village resident Julie Stromberg.
“I’ve learned from the Mayor’s Office that repairs at this site, 708 – 880 S. Lucerne Blvd, have been postponed because of budget until further notice. This means that the tree removal notices will be taken down and tree removals will be postponed until [they] are ready to repair the site. At that time, tree removal notices will be posted again for the required length of time, etc.,” said Stromberg in an email to the Buzz over the weekend.
According to Stromberg’s City Hall source, the stretch of sidewalk on Lucerne was marked for repair because the program managers anticipated some additional funding so they posted the tree removal notices and shortly thereafter they learned the money was no longer available.
“This just means [they]Â have to postpone the repairs until next the next budget cycle begins in July. I do not know exactly when the sidewalks will be repaired, but it will not be until after the next budget cycle is available,” said Stromberg. “It appears that it was well intentioned as the City is trying to squeeze every bit of sidewalk repair out of their annual budget. They are still working out the kinks on delivering the program and unfortunately this was one of them.”
Speaking of sidewalk repairs, Councilmember David Ryu posted a message on Facebook message reminding residents who need their sidewalks repaired they can now make a repair  request online at: www.sidewalks.lacity.org or call 311 through the City’s Safe Sidewalks LA program.
The program is part of the City’s commitment to invest $1.4 billion over 30 years to fix sidewalks around the city and make them accessible to everyone. People with a mobility disability, or someone reporting on their behalf, who encounter physical barriers such as broken sidewalks, missing/broken curb ramps or other barriers in the public right of way can request sidewalk repairs through the Access Request Program. The City is also offering a limited-time rebate to any property owner willing to pay for their own sidewalk repair through our Rebate Program.
The Safe Sidewalks LA has several options:
- Access Request Program: Makes repairs requested by/for people with a mobility disability who encounter physical barrier such as broken sidewalks, missing/broken curb ramps or other barriers in the public right of way.
- Rebate Program: A rebate is given for eligible property owners who pay for their own sidewalk repairs. Owners can receive up to $2,000 for a residential lot or $4,000 for a commercial lot.
- And, Â the general public can report a sidewalk in need of repair.
The funds for the repairs came from a $1.4 billion class action settlement reached with the city of Los Angeles by disabled individuals to repair its crumbling sidewalks in what some claim is the largest disability access settlement in U.S. history.  Approval of the settlement by U.S. District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall in August of 2016  ended a six-year-old class action suit against the City by several disabled residents and the nonprofit Communities Actively Living Independent and Free which alleged that the city’s inaction over the years to make repairs to sidewalks violated the Americans with Disabilities Act. The settlement required the City to create a program to implement repairs and guarantee access to sidewalks and intersections throughout the city. (source Law360.com)
