Randomly musing on municipal sidewalk clearing. I think getting it implemented all at once would be incredibly challenging politically and logistically. That said, I want to get something started and was musing on this idea: /1

Like a bulk buy system, the City offers an opt-in program by block to get municipal sidewalk clearing. You get 80% of your block’s parcels to sign off on it and it happens. The City quotes a “not to exceed” price that can go down if more blocks in the area also sign on. /2

The City then simply assesses that amount on the following year’s property taxes, since they won’t know the actual amount until they find out how many blocks choose to participate. Ideally, the “more blocks, cheaper price” strategy incentivizes more participation. /3

You could set up an auto-renew (until a block opts out) or a multi-year commitment or something. Ideally this is a pilot and it just becomes standard practice after it expands enough. /4

Obvious flaw is that it is still logistically challenging for the City to move crews around to disparate blocks. Not to mention that there would be a needed investment in equipment and the City isn’t exactly perfect at clearing roads now (not always their fault w/ parked cars)/5

However, I think this model would also allow more crews to be on the street, who could also more quickly respond to citizen complains about poorly cleared sidewalks on non-participating blocks and clear those (while assessing that fine). /6

Moral of the story: we have to start somewhere. An opt-in model would probably mean that it rolls out in more affluent neighborhoods first (higher initial willingness to pay), but that would also allow struggles to be puzzled out there first before the program expands. /7

I would also be curious about a “sponsor a block” type program for more affluent blocks (or just more caring blocks) to opt-in to also pay for other blocks, particularly if you could target blocks with more elderly residents or in lower income areas. /8

Probably some huge holes here, but it was a fun noodle exercise. It is just nice to be able to get out and walk, even in the winter. I’m thankful that I am reasonably healthy but know that isn’t the case for everyone (not to mention those in wheelchairs or with strollers). /end