Proposed Sidewalk Repair Sparks Debate

The city knows that sidewalks in the South End need to be repaired, but an ongoing conflict between historic preservation groups and those advocating for handicapped access has stalled planning efforts in the neighborhood, Department of Public Works officials said on Thursday.

“You all know what the condition of the sidewalks are,” Frank O’Brien, Assistant to the Public Works Commissioner. “We’re trying to get our arms around the entire issue.”

The issue, according to city engineers, is that the South End Landmark District Commission and the City of Boston’s Disability Commission are at odds over how sidewalks should be repaired. Those in favor of preserving traditional brick sidewalks in the South End are opposed to the Disability Commission’s insistence that all handicapped ramps be made of concrete. They've also recoiled at a hybrid sidewalk model suggested by the city that features a concrete strip down the center of an otherwise brick sidewalk.

“Our central theme, I guess, is finding a balance between the wants and needs of the ADA/AAB communities as well as the Landmarks so we can have universal access for everybody,” said DPW Civil Engineer Zach Wassmouth.

The city met with both parties last week and wants to continue the dialogue so that all voices are heard, O’Brien said.

“It seems clear that there needs to be a dialogue, an ongoing dialogue, so we can formulate a policy,” he said.

For now, the city is rolling out a series of ideas during neighborhood meetings throughout Boston. On Thursday, engineers showed South End residents examples of creative ways to smooth sidewalks – including rubber tree pits and sidewalks that utilized a mix of materials. Actual construction on sidewalks won’t begin until at least 2013, Wassmouth said, but the city is hoping to finalize plans for materials by the end of summer.

If traditional brick is used, the South End could see fewer miles of reconstruction due to the higher cost of materials, Wassmouth added. Brick sidewalks cost 33 percent more than concrete ones and suck up more of the department’s $5.25 million annual budget for sidewalk repair.

“One million dollars in the South End is different than one million in Dorchester,” Wassmouth said.

But for some residents, the question of whether bricks should be used to repair sidewalks in a historic district was a no-brainer. Catherine Hunt, a South End resident and member of the South End Landmarks District Commission, said Landmarks regulations require brick sidewalks within the historic district.

“Nowhere in the American With Disabilities Act does it say there can’t be brick,” she said.

Another meeting will be held in one month’s time to continue the discussion, and community meetings will be held to discuss firm plans before any action is taken on South End sidewalks, officials stressed.

Meanwhile, 17 South End streets are slated for resurfacing in 2011, O’Brien announced. The list of streets (shown below) has been cleared by the city but is still subject to change if utility work is needed.

• Appleton Street – from Tremont to Clarendon St.
• Claremont Park – from Columbus Ave. to Claremont St.
• Clarendon Street – from Tremont St. to Columbus Ave.
• Columbus Avenue – from Clarendon to Dartmouth St.
• Dwight Street – from Shawmut Ave. to Tremont St.
• East Berkeley Street – from Tremont St. to Shawmut Ave.
• East Springfield Street – from Washington St. to Harrison Ave.
• Greenwich Park – from Columbus Ave. to Claremont St.
• Harrison Avenue – from Worcester Square to East Lenox St.
• Paul Place – from Shawmut Ave. to Herald St.
• Public Alley 705 – from Tremont St. to Shawmut Ave.
• Shawmut Avenue – from Milford to Pelham St.
• St. George Street – from East Brookline to East Newton St.
• Union Park Street – from Washington St. to Harrison Ave.
• West Brookline Street – from Washington to San Juan St.
• West Concord Street – from Shawmut Ave. to Tremont St.
• West Newton Street – from Tremont St. to Columbus Ave.