Sidewalk Savers™

Several different approaches have been adopted by differing cities with slightly different objectives. All of the cities would like to have safe sidewalks for their citizens. That is without question. But, their approaches can be significantly different.

For example, Rochester, MN has a policy stated at their web site that encourages sidewalk maintenance with no permit Fees being collected when applying to the city for a permit.

http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/publicworks/sidewalks/sidewalkfaqs.asp

<<“Who gets the permit?
The person/contractor doing the work obtains the permit. If a contractor is hired, they must obtain the permit. If the property owner will do the work themselves, they must obtain the permit. Permits are obtained ….(from)…, Public Works at no cost. All that is needed is the address of the property and the name of the person or contractor conducting the sidewalk replacement. Permits will normally be issued while you wait.

<<“ Is grinding permitted?
Grinding is not recommended as a sidewalk replacement/repair process by the city. However, the city does not prohibit the practice with the following limitations:

·      Only panels that are raised may be ground and the limit of grinding is a maximum of 3/4” and the grinding must be adequately long across the panel. Grinding a good panel to align with a settled panel is prohibited.

·      Grinding is at the property owner’s risk. If unsuccessful, the sidewalk must be replaced.

·       No city warrantee applies to ground panels.

·      No permits or licenses are needed for grinding, however, the property owner must receive an inspection by Public Works to comply with the sidewalk replacement notice/order.

·      Since there are no written city standards for sidewalk grinding, approval of the acceptability of sidewalk grinding results is solely at the discretion of the Public Works.”>>

Other cities may focus more on “Control” and collecting Permit Fees so that, while their intentions are good, the net result may actually be that property owners do nothing rather than asking their city for permission to maintain their sidewalks. This would be one of those unintended consequences, namely preserving unsafe sidewalks rather than promoting safe procedures to assure safe passage for citizens and visitors alike.

It is advisable to check the local city officials to see what their position is concerning necessary permits and application fees required for sidewalk grinding prior to starting the job.

Grind It! Cut It! Fix It!™      http://www.sidewalksaver.com/               http://sidewalksaver.com/blog1/ 

Sidewalker

On a pleasant 15-MAY-2007 afternoon walk along Mission Bay’s “Boardwalk” we had an excellent opportunity to see how well a public walkway can be maintained with the Sidewalk Savers system of Diamond Cup Grinding.     The “Boardwalk”, of course, is actually made of concrete and it is used regularly by walkers, joggers, bicyclists, skate-boarders, in-line skaters, wheelchair riders, and parents pushing baby strollers.     All of these users have one common need, a smooth walkway with no bumps or “stub-toe” trip hazards.

Here we can see an area where many hazards have been eliminated by grinding.   It is amazing to think of how many skinned and bloody young knees were avoided by this simple 20 minute correction over the past year!     The only loser in this case is the Band-Aid Business!

A pickup truck, a wagon, and a few thousand dollars worth of equipment would be enough to get started saving public walkways and park sidewalks from the threats of stub-toe trip hazard liability.    

Whether it is done by the cities themselves or by sub-contracted service providers, the ongoing maintenance is readily accomplished at a fraction of the costs of removal and replacement.      What other business offers an endless supply of fixed location workpieces to be repaired by such a simple procedure as diamond grinding?      Isn’t it time for states, counties, and cities to demand that the hazards be eliminated rather than painted with “alert orange” paint?

Grind It. Cut It. Fix It. ™

City engineers and maintenance agencies are welcome to visit www.sidewalksaver.com  for a complete list of everything they need to get started. We look forward to hearing or reading comments on your own experiences.  

http://www.sidewalksaver.com/               http://sidewalksaver.com/blog1/  

Sidewalker