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City presents 2026 sidewalk program plan: 52 blocks, district fees and ADA ramps prioritized
Summary
City sidewalk program manager Ari Hama presented the proposed 2026 work plan and budget, outlining repairs across five districts, a district fee structure, a credit program for recent permit‑documented repairs, and a focus on ADA accessibility and routes to schools.
Ari Hama, the city sidewalk program manager, presented the proposed 2026 sidewalk program budget and work plan to the Ithaca Common Council on Sept. 17, describing a citywide approach that uses five sidewalk districts, district fees, and prioritized repairs to improve accessibility and safety.
Hama said the district fee structure charges one‑ and two‑family homes a flat $80 per year and larger properties a base fee plus a frontage/square‑foot component; the funds stay within each district for local repairs. The program manager also described a credit program that allows property owners who paid for permitted sidewalk work in the prior 20 years to claim an annual credit equal to one‑tenth of documented permitted costs (capped at the annual fee), provided permits and documentation are on file.
The 2026 draft work plan covers about 52 sidewalk blocks across the five districts, with roughly 6,120 linear feet of sidewalk slated for repair or replacement and four ADA curb ramps identified for upgrade. Hama said the distribution by district is approximately: District 1 about 18% of funds and 1,210 linear feet (estimated cost about $151,000); District 2 about 18% and 900 linear feet (about $112,000); District 3 the largest share (about 32%) with about 2,200 linear feet (about $275,000) including three ramps near Hancock and Lake avenues; District 4 about 19% with about 1,130 linear feet (about $141,000) and a new curb ramp at South Titus; and District 5 about 13% with about 680 linear feet (about $85,000), plus contingency segments in each district.
Hama described how the program prioritizes projects: resident reports (SeeClickFix and emails), sidewalk walks with residents, proximity to schools and high‑pedestrian routes, severity of defects (displacement, spalling, cracking), and ADA compliance. He also said the program coordinates with the city forester when roots from older trees cause displacement and that the forester advises on root trimming approaches intended to preserve the tree while preventing future displacements.
Council members asked about insurance and inspection costs, and Hama said the sidewalk program pays a share of the city’s general liability insurance and that in‑house assistant civil engineers supervise contractors and oversee construction inspection while private testing firms handle materials testing during construction.
Hama said the program has improved 326 blocks and installed 35 new sidewalk blocks over the past decade, covering about 27 miles of the city's roughly 70 miles of sidewalks. He closed by encouraging residents to report issues and maintain vegetation and by noting the final SID work plan will be presented again during the upcoming budget season for council review and approval.
Why this matters: The program’s district fee model and planned 2026 projects target safety and ADA accessibility on routes used daily by children, older adults, and people with mobility limitations; the plan also affects property owners through fees and potential credits for past permitted work.
