November 5, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Billion-dollar repairs in store for L.A. sidewalks

(Thinkstock)
(Thinkstock)

The Los Angeles City Council agreed today to spend nearly $1.4 billion over three decades on sidewalk repair projects to settle a lawsuit filed by disabled residents and their advocates, who accused the city of hindering their ability to use public walkways by failing to maintain them.

Mayor Eric Garcetti called the settlement a “big move in the right direction,” and said it sets the stage for creating a “comprehensive sidewalk repair plan.”

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Guy Wallace, said the sidewalk repairs will affect “more than 200,000 Angelenos who live with mobility disabilities.”

The settlement, which is still pending court approval, would require the city to invest $31 million a year for 30 years, with the amount adjusted for inflation over that period. After at least 26 years, the annual amount would grow to as much as $62 million to match inflation.

The city would be required to spend at least $25 million each year, and make up any difference within three years.

The nearly $1.4 billion commitment would start in 2015-16 fiscal year, if approved by the court, and Garcetti said he is planning to incorporate the initial allocation in his upcoming budget.

He said most of the money would come out of the city’s general fund operating budget, and he does not expect any funds to come from the federal government.

The agreement settles litigation by several groups, some that sued the city nearly five years ago, contending the city was violating the American Disabilities Act by not doing enough to make sidewalks more accessible.

Councilman Paul Krekorian — who chairs the Budget and Finance Committee that advanced the settlement proposal — called it “a historic win for the disabled community,” adding that the settlement could also save the city money, with injury claims costing the city about $5 million annually.

Krekorian said he plans to hold joint hearings with the Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee to talk about how a sidewalk repair plan would work.

The city would theoretically spend the money on a series of not-yet- developed repair programs that could involve cost-sharing with property owners or offering loans.

The Los Angeles City Council already recently agreed to set aside $27 million in a sidewalk repair fund.

City officials said they last tried to tackle sidewalk repairs in the 1970s using federal funding, but ran out of money.

There has been some debate over who is responsible for fixing sidewalks. Sidewalks next to private residences are privately owned, but the city assumed responsibility in the 1970s to pay for their repair.

While the lawsuit was pending, city officials had opted initially to use the $27 million sum to fix sidewalks that are unquestionably the city’s responsibility, such as those next to libraries, parks, fire and police stations and other municipal property.

Related Posts

The Willows: 30 Years Going Strong

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Founded in 1994, The Willows Community School, located in Culver City, California, is a Developmental Kindergarten through 8th grade non-profit, co-educational...

Election Day Freebies and Discounts: Where to Eat, Drink, and Watch Election Results

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

From Free Doughnuts To Watch Parties, How To Unwind With Election Night Deals With this election day being one of...

Early Morning Call From Community Leads to Burglary Arrest in Culver City

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Police Respond To Suspicious Activity Call, Arrest Suspect With Pickaxe Culver City police arrested a man early Friday morning in...

Culver City Police Department is Prepared to Ensure Community Safety During Election Week

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Enhanced Patrols, Activated Emergency Center Ready, Culver City Voting Center is Open The Culver City Police Department has announced an...

Legendary Music Icon Quincy Jones Dies at 91 in Bel Air

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Celebrated Musician, Producer Leaves an Indelible Legacy By Dolores Quintana Legendary musician, music producer, film and television producer, composer of...

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Lays Off Longtime Archive and Library Staff

November 4, 2024

November 4, 2024

Downsizing and Restructuring Continue, Affecting Employees with Decades of Service By Dolores Quintana Last week, the Academy of Motion Picture...

LA County Opens 526 New Vote Centers for Early Voting, Announces Conditional Voting for Unregistered Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Metro LA Offers Free Rides on Election Day to Help Residents Get to the Polls Los Angeles County opened an...

New Aviation/Century Station Opens, Linking Metro’s C and K Lines

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Metro’s Newest Station Paves the Way for Future LAX Transit Center The new Aviation/Century Station officially opened this week, marking...

H5N1 Detected in LA County Wastewater, Health Officials Urge Precautions for Residents

November 3, 2024

November 3, 2024

Los Angeles County Investigates Low-Level H5 Avian Flu Detected in Wastewater The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is...

Two Events in Culver City This Weekend: Bike Registration and Dance Performance

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

Put the Brakes on Bicycle Theft and Enjoy an Evening of Dance and Interactive Art The Culver City Police Department...

All You Need to Know to Attend the Dodgers Victory Parade Tomorrow in DTLA

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

World Champions and LA’s Team to Greet Angelenos After Win of NY Yankees The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that their...

Beverly Hills City Government Agrees to a Stipulated Judgment After Blocking Abortion Clinic Opening

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

City to Implement Training, Oversight on Reproductive Rights Following Legal Settlement  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a legal agreement...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn/

Halloween Pre-Game Party Brings Chills and Spooky Thrills to The Rose Venice

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Enjoy Halloween With Festive Cocktails, Appetizers, and a Costume Contest The Rose Venice in Venice is set to host a...