Public works secures funding for multiple school and sidewalk projects; council urged to keep pedestrian safety a top budget priority
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Sign Up Free
Summary
Staff reported that several previously unfunded sidewalk and school-pedestrian projects have been advanced through a mix of city and outside funding, including a $500,000 sidewalk-replacement allocation and school-focused sidewalk improvements; one project segment remains unfunded.
Provo public-works staff told the council Jan. 7 that multiple sidewalk and school-pedestrian projects the council identified as an FY25 priority have moved from unfunded to funded status through a combination of city funds and outside sources.
Justin Harrison, presenting for council staff, said the council’s “budget priority was to prioritize supplemental grant monies or matching funds…for sidewalks around schools.” He identified a $500,000 sidewalk replacement project that funds trip-hazard repair, sidewalk replacement and road rehabilitation in three project groups each year.
Public-works staff described how earlier-unfunded projects were advanced after staff pursued county and other outside grants. A series of school-related projects were referenced: 1100 West sidewalk improvements near Shoreline Middle School; 600 South (including a 600 South/1400 West segment); a Foothill Drive project (listed at 4380 Foothill Drive) and Canyon Road to 3450 Foothill projects scheduled for construction in summer. One sidewalk segment—between 1100 West and 1400 West—remained unfunded; staff said it was “partially funded” in the CIP, with portions financed from other sources while about $100,000 expected from a state safe‑schools program had a longer approval process.
“Road rehab includes installing pedestrian or ADA ramps,” Harrison told the council while outlining how the city’s sidewalk allocation had been used.
Why it matters: sidewalks around schools and ADA-compliant ramps affect student and pedestrian safety and have been a recurring council priority. Councilors pressed staff on whether sidewalk funding should remain a top priority for FY26, noting the city’s ongoing maintenance backlog.
Council discussion: Councilor Becky Bogdan said the $500,000 annual sidewalk replacement amount is modest compared with the total need: staff estimated that at the current rate it would take decades to address the backlog. Councilors asked staff to keep sidewalks and school safety high on the FY26 priority list and to return with options for augmenting funding if the council chooses to do so.
Staff flagged funding sources used to advance projects as: the city’s sidewalk-replacement allocation, county transit or similar county funds, and a state school‑safety grant (the amount discussed was roughly $100,000 but staff said the state process was slower than anticipated). Council members asked for clearer notes on which specific projects remain unfunded and for fiscal scenarios that show what additional funding would accomplish.
Next steps: public works and council staff will provide an updated list of funded versus unfunded sidewalk projects and outline options for supplementing funds in the FY26 budget process.