Dearborn Heights proposes $500,000 annual sidewalk replacement program financed with CDBG and TIFA funds

At the study session Director Debeja said staff plans to direct about $500,000 per year from CDBG (supplemented by a roughly $400,000 TIFA contribution inside the TIFA district) to a new sidewalk replacement program focused on HUD-eligible low- and moderate-income census tracts. "When we launch the sidewalk replacement program, our hope is to put $500,000 towards this program every single year," Debeja said, explaining staffs goal to maximize coverage and reduce trip hazards.

Staff described an implementation model that maps sidewalk needs by census tract, hires an inspector paid from program funds to mark and then inspect work, and bids out work under federal procurement rules. The inspectors cost would be shared between the CDBG allocation and TIFA, and the program is intended to run block-by-block to lower per-flag permit costs. Council members asked staff to prioritize sidewalks near schools, parks and senior centers in the selected low/mod tracts. Bids will require standard federal bonding and indemnity clauses and staff said they will publish the bid on bid-net and work with HUD on procurement compliance.