STREETS & SIDEWALKS
Sidewalks Streets Street Trees and Species Snow Removal
Sidewalks
By City Code, every owner, agent or occupant of any lot or parcel of ground situated
within the City of Richmond must keep and maintain in good and sufficient condition, all
existing sidewalks along all streets in front of or adjacent thereto, and to keep them
free from snow, ice, filth and all obstructions, encroachments, encumbrances or other
nuisances. If it becomes necessary to do so, the City may cause it to be done at the
expense of the property owner.
The City Council may order the installation of sidewalk where none currently exists.
In 1987, language was added to the City Code which authorized the City Council to formulate and adopt a policy to assist property owners. A policy was adopted which included the following requirements:
Participation in the program must be voluntary.
The City shall have final determination as to the quantity of sidewalk needed to be installed/replaced at each location.
The City of Richmond shall remain in complete control of any sidewalk program the funding of which is pursuant to the policy.
The City shall fund 50% of the cost for the sidewalk adjacent to the front of the lot and 75% of the cost for the sidewalk adjacent to the side frontage of a corner lot.
As a result, the Sidewalk Assistance Program (SWAP) was implemented. Initially, the program was for developed properties with existing sidewalk. In 1988, existing developed properties without sidewalk were accepted as being eligible. Vacant lots being developed are not eligible. All vacant lots that are developed must have a sidewalk adjacent to the property before a final occupancy permit is issued.
In 1996, the City Council determined that the voluntary approach was not working satisfactorily. Plans were formulated for a multi-phase sidewalk repair and installation program through special assessment. When instituted in 1997, the Sidewalk Improvement Program (SWIP) utilized many of the SWAP program provisions.
1) The City funds 50% of the cost for the sidewalk adjacent to the front of the lot and 75% of the cost for the sidewalk adjacent to the side frontage of a corner lot.
2) An annual interest rate of six percent shall be charged against all monies due and owing to the City.
3) The special assessment payments are placed on the Winter tax roll for payment. The length payment is determined by the amount of the special assessment: up to $500 - 1 payment; $500 to $1,000 - 2 payments; and so forth in increments of $500. No interest is charged on the first payment.
4) A payment plan may be paid in full at any time without penalty by paying the balance due and owing plus interest to-date. The interest rate is one-half of one percent per month, or any portion thereof, and is computed from the previous due date.
The Sidewalk Improvement Program is administered through the Department of Public Works. For detailed information, contact the Public Service Director at (586) 727-7575.
Street System
The City of Richmond street system is composed of 5.7 miles of Major
Streets and 12.2 miles of Local Streets. The City also takes care of 2.5 miles of State
Trunkline under a limited maintenance contract with the Michigan Department of
Transportation.
Richmond has placed great emphasis on improving the quality of the City's street system. During Fiscal Years 95 and 96, more than 3.1 million dollars was spent to reconstruct the majority of our streets as curb and gutter streets. This work was mainly financed with funds generated from the sale of General Obligation Bonds, but it also included money from the Major and Local Street Funds and the Tax Increment Finance Authority (TIFA). With the completion of this work, the City has been able to reconstruct streets as they deteriorate without having to finance the work by bond issues.
Street improvements of varying sizes and with differing scopes of work will continue every year for the foreseeable future. To view the proposed schedule of street improvements, click HERE.
Street Trees
While the street reconstruction program improved the overall
appearance of the City, it also pointed out the lack of trees along many sections of
streets. The City has recognized the importance that trees contribute to the quality of
life of Its' residents by instituting a tree planting program. This is a multi-year
program with planting taking place in the Fall of each year.
Street Tree Species
Sidewalks
City Code requires property owners to keep their sidewalks clear of snow, ice and
other obstructions. Doing so will allow children, postal workers and other pedestrians a
safer place to walk than in the street where an accident may occur. Cleaning off your
sidewalk may be the reason a family member, friend or neighbor didn't get hurt.
Streets
The DPW is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When called in for snow &
ice control, crews start plowing and salting major streets and school areas, followed as
soon as possible by residential streets.
On curb streets, we must enforce a seasonal parking restriction.
PLEASE TAKE NOTE that from December 1st thru April 30th, No Parking is allowed on any curb street between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
If your vehicle is parked on a curb street while we are plowing snow, it would assist us greatly if you would please move it.
Plows may push snow into your driveway approaches. This cannot be helped. Please do not shovel, push or blow snow from sidewalks and driveways into the street. In addition to creating a hazard for motorists, this action violates state law and you may be cited. Place the snow in the public median (between sidewalk and street) in a manner which does not block a sidewalk, obstruct vision or create a hazard for vehicles. If you utilize a snow removal company, please inform the company of this requirement.
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This page was last updated on 03/06/2008. Copyright © 2003 The City of Richmond, Michigan. All rights reserved.