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Resident urges stop-work order, says sidewalk closures at 115 East Kirkwood create hazards
Summary
A downtown business owner told the Board of Public Works the walkaround at 115 East Kirkwood has repeatedly closed sidewalks and created pedestrian hazards; staff said engineering will inspect the site and report back and may consider blocking deliveries or using escrow funds if noncompliance continues.
Greg Alexander, who identified himself as a downtown business owner, told the board the walkaround at 115 East Kirkwood "failed from day one" and repeatedly closed sidewalks, forcing pedestrians into the street. He said vehicles and equipment have been staged inside the walkaround on at least two occasions and argued city enforcement should have used the project's escrow to reopen the sidewalk and issued a stop-work order until escrow was repaid.
Alexander also challenged comments by the public works director that compliance could have been achieved by moving flaggers. "Parking vehicles and equipment in the walkaround for any duration of time is a violation," he said, and urged the board to require an engineer-approved staging plan if the petitioner needs additional space.
In response, Public Works staff said they will continue to monitor the 115 East Kirkwood project and that engineering staff will provide an update the next day. Adam Wson, public works director, said staff will take Alexander’s comments into account when deciding whether to block deliveries or pursue enforcement action and acknowledged a staff update with engineering was scheduled to assess conditions.
The board did not take immediate enforcement action at the meeting; staff committed to follow up with engineering and report back to the board.
