Dear Prestbury Neighbors,
This communication is to offer greater detail about an upcoming project regarding sidewalks throughout the Prestbury Citizens Association. As you are likely aware, many sidewalks throughout the neighborhood are aging and in a state of disrepair. These have become the source of considerable complaints by residents over the years.
The challenge the board has faced is that residential sidewalks fall under the responsibility of adjacent homeowner properties, and so it has been board practice to notify individual homeowners of complaints of sidewalk conditions on their property. More recently, an increasing number of properties have been reported by residents as having sidewalks that need repair, and so the board has been exploring ways to facilitate a community effort to improve them. While maintenance of sidewalks is clearly the responsibility of the homeowner and not the PCA, there are advantages to facilitating a neighborhood-wide repair option.
To that end, PCA has contracted with SafeStep LLC to perform a survey of sidewalks in the neighborhood, identifying by home address those sidewalks in need of repair.
Here is what you can expect in the coming months:
- SafeStep representatives will be in the neighborhood performing the survey. Necessary repairs will be documented and a link to photos of the required repairs will be provided to each impacted homeowner. It is expected that the survey will take place within the next several weeks and notifications of needed repairs will be sent by early 2022.
- All residents will receive a follow-up communication letting them know how they can log on and learn if they are responsible for sidewalk repairs on their property, and details about what work needs to be completed. For sidewalks that can be repaired by cutting or grinding, SafeStep will provide each homeowner a cost for the repairs.
- For those sidewalks that require replacement, SafeStep will endeavor to partner with a local contractor to make those repairs as well, also at homeowner’s cost.
- Where repairs are determined to be necessary, homeowners will be required to repair the sidewalks at their own expense, however, they will be under no obligation to engage SafeStep to perform the repairs. They can choose any contractor they wish. SafeStep is a well-established firm who has done sidewalk repairs in many communities including several in our general area and they have performed some repairs within Prestbury in the past.
The condition of our sidewalks is not only critical to the safety of residents in this vibrant and active community, but also to property values throughout the neighborhood. We hope that this project facilitates a more expedient and convenient solution to the ongoing issue and we thank you for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Board of Directors, Prestbury Citizens Association