Yesterday, the Committee heard and approved a resolution sponsored by the Chair concerning the City’s curb and sidewalk policy.  Resolution 090500 directs the City Manager to establish a long-term, sustainable Citywide curb and sidewalk improvement program to improve the conditions of the City’s curbs and sidewalks to approved industry standard. 

The resolution is largely consistent with a Draft Sidewalk Policy devised by staff after a 2006 audit of the City’s sidewalk management.  The resolution will require that a formalized policy be established, with priority given to the following goals:

All curbs and sidewalks are to be brought to acceptable standards city-wide within 25 years.

The financial impact to residential property owners shall be kept to reasonable minimums.

The program should not require the reconstruction of any section of sidewalks or curbing unless the conditions are such that replacement is necessary as a matter of public safety.

Environmentally-friendly and low-maintenance materials and construction methods are to be used where possible.

Materials and construction methods shall conform to the standard construction specifications and design criteria as maintained by the Kansas City Metropolitan Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

This policy will ensure that there is a consistent, citywide policy for maintaining the hundreds of miles of sidewalks and curbs used every day in Kansas City.

To see the video of the Committee’s discussion of the resolution, click here.