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Council warned of large sidewalk backlog and ADA transition costs during budget review
Summary
Public works staff told council there is an estimated $40 million backlog of sidewalk and ADA compliance work, and outlined a possible cost‑share program with property owners and grant opportunities to address the problem.
Shelton public works staff warned the City Council on June 10 that the city faces a sizable sidewalk and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition backlog and asked council to consider funding approaches as the budget is developed.
Public works presenter Jay Harris said a recent inventory identified widespread sidewalk panel uplift, missing curb ramps and other pedestrian hazards. "We have, like, a $40,000,000 sidewalk deficiency," Jay said, describing the total scope of work needed to bring sidewalks and ramps citywide into compliance. He said the city currently budgets a modest sidewalk maintenance sum (about $36,000) for grinding, isolated panel replacement and localized ADA ramps — far short of the scale of need.
Jay described options used by other jurisdictions: pursue state and federal grants for pedestrian and ADA improvements; set up a city program that shares costs with property owners for repairs (property owner pays part, city pays part, paid by reimbursement after competitive bids); or target priority corridors such as downtown where pedestrian traffic and liability risk are highest. Staff said downtown will remain a focus because of the volume of pedestrians and higher trip‑fall risk there.
Council members asked about state funding and whether lobbying or grant work could be directed to this need. City staff said the city can pursue grants and that the city’s lobbyist has secured significant capital funds historically; staff also said they will return with a proposed sidewalk/ADA program and funding options.
No policy changes were made at the meeting. Staff will present a formal ADA transition plan and grant strategy in coming months as part of the budget process.
