Inman Park sidewalks (Atlanta, Smyrna: house, neighborhoods, taxes)

[ATLTJL]

I don't want to start a whole "thing" with this, just a question.

I was at the Inman Park festival yesterday and was walking around and noticed something that I've noticed in many intown neighborhoods: the sidewalks are in terrible shape.

I know one of the mantras of intown neighborhoods is walkability, so shouldn't the sidewalks be in good repair if walkability is so important to the residents?

I'm not saying the sidewalks were horrible and you couldn't walk on them, but if you don't have perfect balance or are trying to push a stroller around, you or your kid is going to have an extremely bumpy time.

What's up with the ultra crappy sidewalks intown?

[rzzz]

I have been exploring those neighborhoods since Thursday looking for a place to live, and I noticed the same thing.

I would guess the sidewalks are the responsibility of the home owner, and there is no penalty for not repairing them, and that is why they are not repaired. There is a neighborhood in Minneapolis that has a similar vibe to Inman Park, Candler, Lake Claire, and has the same problem.

[lorilove]

Sidewalks are not the responsiblity of the homeowner - this is just something that is first cut from the city budget when funds are tight.

This issue is often discussed in the running community. Where many of us note that it is more intereting to run around in town neighborhoods, the bad sidewalks are annoying. OTP the sidewalks are definitely in better shape. Here in Smyrna, they pull up perfectly good sidwalks to put in the wider path sidewalks.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by lorilove

Sidewalks are not the responsiblity of the homeowner - this is just something that is first cut from the city budget when funds are tight.

This issue is often discussed in the running community. Where many of us note that it is more intereting to run around in town neighborhoods, the bad sidewalks are annoying. OTP the sidewalks are definitely in better shape. Here in Smyrna, they pull up perfectly good sidwalks to put in the wider path sidewalks.

Actually, Sidewalk maintennance in Atlanta IS the responsibility of the homeowner.

PEDS » Fix Atlanta’s Sidewalks

The reason the sidewalks in the suburbds are in better shape is because many of the suburban neighborhoods were clear cut before being built, and don't have ancient trees with gigantic roots making the sidewalks uneven.

[ericsonga]

Originally Posted by JPD

Actually, Sidewalk maintennance in Atlanta IS the responsibility of the homeowner.

PEDS » Fix Atlanta’s Sidewalks

The reason the sidewalks in the suburbds are in better shape is because many of the suburban neighborhoods were clear cut before being built, and don't have ancient trees with gigantic roots making the sidewalks uneven.

Not to be nitpicky, but those great neighborhoods of Ansley Park, Morningside, Virginia Highland, etc, were essentially clear cut as well. However, that was 100+ years ago, so the trees that were planted after have matured and are now amazing. Unfortunately, Atlanta has not done a great job in keeping up with the sidewalks, or its infrastructure in general. Which is really quite sad in general. I think that is the main streets especially were improved it would add quite a bit of value and help to facilitate new development. Streets like Piedmont Rd, Ponce, North Ave, etc come to mind.

[residinghere2007]

The infrastructure in Atlanta period is not upkept. I know we have a huge tree stump in front of our house, I actually noticed after killing all the weeds around it that thre used to be an octagonal sidewalk there which I bet looked pretty neat.

The tree was dead so the city cut it but they don't do stump grinding anymore so we will have to pay for someone to come out and do it and we are planning on putting a sidewalk in once that is finished but that is a long way down the list of home improvement things for us. Plus the city said they may start doing stump grinding again in the future so hubby wants to wait to see if they will get it up and running in a couple years but I have already found a guy to do it for $300.

I couldn't believe that residents are required to maintain sidewalks when I first moved here and now that we are homeowners I think it is pretty ridiculous, especially since the sidewalk is not actually considered our property, it is city property and honestly I feel the city should up keep them. We pay big bucks to the city in taxes least they could do is keep the sidewalks looking decent.

And FWIW, I lived in Smyrna and didn't think they had it any better. Most places where I lived there didn't even have sidewalks but that was about six years ago so maybe they have more now.

[cqholt]

Suburban sidewalks are not nearly as old as those in older, historic intown neighborhoods. Tree roots can damage the sidewalks.

[residinghere2007]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Suburban sidewalks are not nearly as old as those in older, historic intown neighborhoods. Tree roots can damage the sidewalks.

I agree with this. Most suburban sidewalks are pretty new also in a lot of intown neighborhoods they don't have traditional, concrete sidewalks. I know in West End there are a lot of red brick sidewalks as well as the octagonal ones that are in front of my house and the house next door to it.

Regardless though, I feel the city should keep up the sidewalks and the trees better. I am from Ohio and my mom has a HUGE tree in front of her house. The city comes out every year and prunes it and looks at the sidewalks. They replaced the sidewalk in front of her house a few years ago due to it buckling from the tree roots. They are proactive since cities can be sued if someone falls and hurts themselves on uneven pavement. Most places I have lived in the Midwest have similar city services so I figured this unkempt thing is just an Atlanta phenomenon and maybe some other southern cities.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Suburban sidewalks are not nearly as old as those in older, historic intown neighborhoods. Tree roots can damage the sidewalks.

The problem is that many intown sidewalks are made of hex pavers. In order to level out the sidewalk, you have to damage the root system of a tree, potentially killing it. And when you kill a tree, guess what's going to happen next.

[cqholt]

They are proactive since cities can be sued if someone falls and hurts themselves on uneven pavement. Most places I have lived in the Midwest have similar city services so I figured this unkempt thing is just an Atlanta phenomenon and maybe some other southern cities.

Not in Atlanta. It is the homeowners responsibility.