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Calming |
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Signal |
Storm
Water |
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Sidewalk
Program
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What Sidewalks Can Do For Your Neighborhood
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Safety,
Fun and Exercise
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For
many of us, walking is a part of our everyday activities. It
is one of the healthiest ways for adults and children to keep
in shape. Young and old, itis a frequent and popular way of
getting around. Yet, pedestrians must cope with vehicular traffic.
Even good drivers will not always be looking out for pedestrians.
As a pedestrian, itis important to be responsible for your own
safety. At that end, sidewalks can help you and your family
by offering a safe and attractive route to travel.
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Kids
and the Street
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Many
parents assume that their children must be safe in their own
neighborhoods. This is unfortunately untrue. The greatest percentage
of childhood pedestrian accidents occur in a child's neighborhood,
and in the same block where the child lives. Often these injuries
result from a child's physical factors such as having difficulty
determining sound, distance and location. Moreover, many children
have a lack of knowledge or understanding of complex traffic
situations and rules.
To overcome this risk, parents should actively teach their children
good habits such as walking on sidewalks and not in the street.
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Friendliness
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So
often in our busy world today, we rarely have time or opportunity
to meet and get to know our neighbors. Residential sidewalks
can offer a neighborhood a safe place to interact with the people
who live and work in the area. As a bonus, knowing your neighbors
and having a strong sense of community allows for safer neighborhoods.
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Beautification
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The
installation of sidewalks is a simple way to help install pride
in your neighborhood. Sidewalks can beautify and make for a
better place to live, work, and play.
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The
Process
Three Easy Steps
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1.)
Meet with your neighborhood association. Let your neighborhood
leaders know of your desire to have sidewalks installed. Association
information can be obtained from the City's Neighborhood Partnership
Office at (941) 954-2612.
2.)
Ask your association to send a letter to the Engineering Department
requesting a sidewalk inventory study. Also include the association's
minutes from the meeting at which the sidewalk request was
discussed. Letters and minutes should be sent or faxed to:
City of Sarasota Engineering Department, Post Office Box 1058,
Sarasota, Florida, 34230/(941) 954-4174.
3.)
Your neighborhood sidewalk inventory will begin as soon as
possible and we will notify your association of the results.
The inventory includes checking for and noting the condition
of existing sidewalks, locating neighborhood schools, bus
stops, and parks and playgrounds. This information will allow
us to design a cohesive sidewalk plan for your area.
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Sidewalk
Point System
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In
order to better facilitate the Sidewalk Program, the City
Commission approved the following point system which is completed
during the inventory study:
(A
total of six (6) points must be accrued to allow for new sidewalk
installation)
Is
the proposed project within a special area?
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#
of Possible Points
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Element?
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4
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DEA
- Downtown Environs Area
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1
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EZ
- Enterprise Zone
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1
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NAS
- Neighborhood Action Strategy Area
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What
is the functional classification of the roadway?
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#
of Possible Points
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Element?
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3
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Arterial
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2
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Major
Collector
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1
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Minor
Collector
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Does
the proposed project segment connect with an existing segment(s)?
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#
of Possible Points
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Element?
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3
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Connects
at both ends
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2
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Connects
at one end
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Is
the proposed project located near a public facility, i.e.
school, trail, park or shopping center?
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#
of Possible Points
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Element?
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3
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Within
one mile of a public facility
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2
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Between
one and two miles
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3
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School
or SCAT bus stop within project area
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We
are pleased to bring this beneficial point system to our Sidewalk
Program and believe you will find it will serve to streamline
the program and accelerate projects.
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Creating
Sidewalks
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The City Engineering
Department strives to build sidewalks that maximize effectiveness
and optimize safety while minimizing any adverse impact
on adjacent properties. At times, itis necessary that we
request an easement, or permission to enter a property,
to construct the sidewalk. City sidewalks are at least five
feet in width and can travel the length of the street. The
City constructs strong concrete sidewalks that should last
for many years. Depending on property owner input, and the
survey, including the location of trees, drainage, fire
hydrants, and other road conditions, City Engineers determine
which side of the street would better accommodate a sidewalk.
While it takes several months for the sidewalk design phase
and the required public bidding process, itusually takes
just two weeks to install a residential street sidewalk.
All sidewalks always include handicap ramps at the intersections.
If at anytime during the creation of your new sidewalk you
have any questions, please telephone the Engineering Department.
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