UPDATE: An 85-year-old woman in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles is still waiting for sidewalk repairs, a staggering eight years after first notifying the city. Judy Burr’s sidewalk is severely cracked and uneven due to invasive tree roots, making it a serious hazard for her to navigate with a walker.
“I don’t wanna fall,” Burr expressed, highlighting the urgent need for action. Her interior designer, Holly Westoff, has been advocating for Burr since she filed a complaint with 311 back in 2017. Westoff received an email on June 27, 2017, stating the request was “eligible” and would take approximately six months for repairs to begin. However, that timeline has stretched into years with no resolution.
“Eight years is nuts,” Westoff stated, emphasizing the frustration shared by many in the community. The ongoing delays have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with city officials citing an overwhelming number of sidewalk repair requests. Currently, there are over 4,000 pending Access Requests, leading to repair times that could extend up to 10 years.
The condition of sidewalks in the area poses risks not just to Burr but to many residents. “You will find on almost every block a rise on the sidewalk that has become dangerous,” neighbor Chris Bennet said, underscoring the widespread issue.
In a recent statement, the L.A. Public Works department confirmed that the sidewalk in front of Burr’s home has reached the top of the queue for repairs and is expected to be remediated within this fiscal year. “Fortunately, this site has reached the top of the queue and is on track to be remediated this fiscal year,” said Mary Nemick, the director of communications for the Bureau of Engineering at L.A. Public Works.
Just after this announcement, Westoff received an update from 311 that her request has moved into the “Design Phase.” “If they can’t do it, nobody can,” she remarked, expressing relief at the potential for action after years of waiting.
The financial implications of neglected sidewalks are severe. Over the past five years, the city has paid out more than $86 million due to lawsuits related to sidewalk injuries, highlighting the urgent need for a solution.
As the situation develops, residents and advocates like Westoff continue to seek answers and push for immediate repairs. The community is rallying around the cause, hoping that the city will finally take action to ensure the safety of their sidewalks.
Stay tuned for further updates on this pressing issue affecting the Fairfax District. The need for timely repairs has never been more urgent.
