It is my understanding that the city would be responsible for the part of the sidewalk which was pulled up by the tree on the curbline. We also were told that maybe the State would have done it when they were replacing sidewalks around the old Woodward School area which was completely done over. We have owned this property for 35 years and the sidewalks have never been replaced or repaired in all that time. We think it is time for the safety of people that need to walk over that area every day. They also put us in a program to get the sidewalks repaired and then denied the application.

That seems to be the consensus of the city also, if we're lucky, this may happen, or if we're lucky that may happen. It's become a safety issue and is in desperate need of repair.

The only reason that responsibility is unclear in New Haven is that, starting with the mayoral campaign of 1910, the city began voluntarily replacing the existing brick sidewalks with concrete ones. In other words, on paper the responsability has always been the property owners.’ For much of the past century, however, politicians have used sidewalk construction in order to buy support. Ever since, we have been left with a confusing legacy of city-constructed sidewalks.

Street trees are a similar matter. Normally, street trees are a public-private partnership, with property owners responsible for planting and maintaining the tree with the city having the legal right to the land beneath the tree (because it is within the public right-of-way). Much like with sidewalks, however, civic do-gooders, most likely in the late 1800s, who felt that New Haven needed a better tree canopy, began city initiatives to plant street trees. Ever since, the city has taken on de facto responsibility for street trees.

This is why the legal responsibility for damage from trees is unclear. On paper, we would expect the property owner to be liable, because the maintenance of sidewalks and street trees are both technically the responsibility of the property owner. In reality, however, the city has voluntarily taken on these property owner responsibilities in so many cases that responsibility is now ambiguous. How to solve this problem is tricky. Technically, most cities have the authority to bill property owners after repairing sidewalks. In practice, even cities who make it extremely clear that sidewalks are the property owners’ responsibility never exercise this authority because it would be political suicide. Nevertheless, I think that, given the budget struggles of all city governments (I've seen cities in a lot worse shape than New Haven) the city should not be taking on responsibilities that are not technically theirs. I would recommend transitioning to a system where the city only pays for sidewalks when state or federal urban renewal or transportation grants can be obtained to foot the bill. Otherwise, sidewalk repair and replacement should be the clear responsibility of property owners.

The City has already met my husband at the property several times and agreed to pay for damage to the sidewalks done by tree roots. That is not the issue. We are willing to pay whatever balance is required. It is something that is necessary, not something to squabble about whose going to pay for it. And again, we are in a delay after delay mode. We wrote our attorney, who wrote our alderman, who wrote to the Public Works, the Department of Parks even took down the tree, but left the stump. So we felt as if some progress was being made but now has again stalled. The tree was taken down more than two years ago. The last time the city came down we were told we were on a list. Where is this list?

Do you work for the City?

We are very hopeful and have been in contact with the city regarding repair of this sidewalk in August of this year. We are very happy about this possible outcome. This is what we have wanted now for six years and have been very patient but persistent about the safety of this area....... Keep you posted....

This issue is partially resolved. The city has completed the Main Street portion of the sidewalk repair. The Hillside portion is not complete and still in need of desperate repair. We hope that can be completed soon. The portion that is complete is now safe for pedestrian travel and looks beautiful.

This sidewalk issue has partially been fixed. It is safe on Main Street now to walk and looks beautiful. The Hillside Portion of the sidewalks remain to be in a deteriorated state and hopefully will be done in the spring/summer of 2011.

Continued requests of the city to repair much needed sidewalks never repaired over the course of 60 years are not being responded to. So this issue is not yet completed. They did repair the front of the property on Main Street, which is now beautiful and safe. Apparently they ran out of funds.
Safety versus funds should not be an issue.

No, this issue has not been resolved and is getting even more serious with parts of the sidewalk and sewer drain sinking. It has become even more dangerous to walk on. I have written to the Public Works and Mayor's Office and Mr. Miller from Engineering, my requests have been basically ignored. Where the sidewalk meets the street it is now collapsing. Can't believe taxpayers have to put up with this. Where do I go? I will get in on the live chat with Mayor DeStefano and see if he can do anything about getting this resolved on the 11th of October. It's reelection time; right?

This issue is becoming worse and no response has been given by the city after repeated requests. The sidewalk where it meets the driveway is sinking in and so is the sewer drain. The city apparently came and put up a caution sign, this has since disappeared. The city recently mulched up the stump which has been sitting there since it was taken down by the Parks Department. This was bringing some hope that work might commence soon. Tree roots have pulled up the sidewalk and it is very wavy and bumpy to walk on. Not safe for pedestrian travel. Please help us get this work completed. This is on the Hillside Avenue side of the property.

This issue on Hillside Avenue side of property has not yet been resolved. It has become a dangerous area for pedestrian travel and the sidewalk is sinking at the driveway area where it meets the road. The drainage system at end of street is also sinking. These sidewalks haven never been done and are black tar. The property has been there for 100 years. It's time to get this done.

This issue is not resolved and continues to be a safety hazard although several communications have been made with the cit to repair this issue. The street where it meets the sidewalk is not caving in and the storm drain is also sinking in causing dangerous conditions.

I have been told that the City has been notified through this website but still nothing has been done. The storm drain and sidewalk where it meets the driveway are in a sinking state now and unsafe. I actually tripped and almost fell the other day, even though I know of the sidewalk it is so unsafe. Continued requests are ignored to both the Dept of Public Works and the Mayor's office and the Engineering Department. Although they did repair the front of the property the Hillside Avenue portion of it remains in a very choppy state with wavy sidewalks having been torn up by tree roots, which the city did remove, awaiting repair of sidewalk on Hillside now for over 50 years. Isn't it time to do this for the safety of pedestrians and people who live in the area before someone gets hurt?

This issue has not yet been resolved. There has been little progress working with the city on this issue. The storm drain was repaired that was sinking. The sidewalks on Hillside are still in very poor dangerous condition. I have contacted people at public works and other departments to no avail.

Sidewalks on hillside ave side still in disrepair. Very dangerous. The storm drain was fixed that was sinking ... It's been more like 50 years since any provents to sidewalk torn up by tree roots. Please...we have owned property now almost 40 years

Not repaired. Dangerous condition. Where driveway meets road is sinking. Sidewalk torn up by tree roots. Tree removed by city. Been waiting now 7 plus years and beyond that

This issue was recategorized from Uncategorized to Sidewalks and Curb damage.

Could this mean that we may soon see repairs to the sidewalks?

We have been told by the city that our sidewalk repairs are in committee for approval. ..we are not sure exactly what this means or how long we will have to wait but are hopeful..

Still not repaired. ..dangerous and looks terrible...contacting our alderman for assistance...request to city officials not responded to..

This issue has been partly resolved about four years ago, it remains incomplete on the Hillside Avenue side where the sidewalk is a mess and roots have uprooted the asphalt pavement they did many many years ago. It needs work. No response from the city when contacted them. Please, it's been a long time. we have owned this property for over 45 years now. The city is neglected a very dangerous situation here.

This issue is deplorable to be left in this condition for this many years. We first reported this in 2006, it's 2016. Ten years, people and still not completed. Come on. We pay taxes. this is unsightly and also unsafe. Please address this sidewalk on Main Street and Hillside Avenue. the front of the property looks amazingly beautiful, but on the side it's deplorable.

The problem on Hillside Avenue has been pending since 2006, it is 2017. I really don't understand the City. I think it's a money issue and priority. Apparently a wavy torn up sidewalk is not a concern for safety. I hope no one gets hurt here. It's very dangerous. 11 years later and it's still being stalled. I have tried contacted my representative by e-mail but have received not response. I do not know where else to go, have contacted the mayor. No response. This is a picture of the black top over the pulled up sidewalk as it appears.

Issue on hillside still pending..must be like 50 years ago they slapped blacktop over torn up cement..now pulled up by tree routes..it looks horrible and extremely dangerous..cannot get responses from officials..being ignored..i hope no one gets hurt..

The sidewalks have been completed thanks to our past Alderman Paolillo and present alderwoman Ortiz. Thank you!

Issue resolved