The City of Akron has a program to replace an individual homeowner’s substandard
sidewalks and drive approaches. If a residential property owner signs a petition agreeing
to pay for a share of the costs, the City will construct the necessary improvements. After
the improvements are completed, the property owner can elect to either pay in cash, or
have the cost plus interest assessed over a 10-year period. Property owners participate on
a voluntary basis. The program is limited to residential properties only, and the property
must be on an improved street (i.e. street must have curbs).
To participate, a property owner must contact the Engineering Bureau and request a petition.
An Engineering Bureau representative will visit the site, speak with the property owner if
available, and determine which items of work are needed. The Engineering Bureau will send the
property owner a petition form listing the items of work, along with a preliminary estimate of
assessment for the repairs. The petition will include the necessary work agreement
language, and a statement waiving the property owner’s right to object to the
assessment.
The property owner cannot select only certain items to be repaired. If the property
owner chooses to have the City do the work, the owner must sign the petition and return
it. The Engineering Bureau will schedule the work as soon as practicable.
The program will provide for sidewalk, driveway apron, the curb adjacent to the apron,
retaining wall (along right of way), and roof drain pipe replacement. These will be
assessed at the uniform Assessment Rates
.The rate is determined by the year in which the City receives the signed petition from the
property owner.
The City will be responsible for any street tree work required including
the re-planting of new street lawn trees, as requested by owner, at no cost to the homeowner.
However, any tree on private property that must be removed to accomplish the work will be
removed at the owner’s expense. The cost depends on the size of the tree. These costs will be
provided in the estimate with the petition. Sidewalk slabs that are lifted by tree roots
but are otherwise undamaged are considered defective, and need to be replaced. If it is
determined that cutting the roots will kill the tree, the tree will be removed at the time
of construction.
Assessment bills will be sent upon passage of the assessing legislation in February of
the year after the work is done. Tree removal on private property and retaining walls will
increase this cost. Residential property owners can contact the Engineering Bureau at
330-375-2355 for more information.
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