NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Interim City Manager Mary Grace Clements is pleased that the city has found funds to do additional work in its SAFE Sidewalks program this year.
"We have allocated in the budget $50,000, as we did in 2023," Clements said. "The way the program works, you can apply to have your sidewalk fixed. If you're a homeowner, it is a 95 to 5 percent split. That's 95 percent the city pays and 5 percent the homeowner pays. Our team will come out, assess what it is, we'll say, this is how much it is. This is your portion. If you're willing to do this and we accept that work, then you'd have to pay that."
The split for landlords is 80/20. In other words, the city would pay 80%, with the landlord paying 20%. They are also expanding the opportunities with additional funding.
"Because we want to get much more sidewalks repaired, we're trying for this year, not only is that program happening, the $50,000, but we've allocated an extra $25,000 for 2024," Clements said. "With that money, we're allocating to say, hey homeowners or landlords, how about a 50/50 split with the city?"
As a reminder, there are criteria for the SAFE Sidewalk Program Funding.
First and foremost, to participate in the program the property must be located within the City of Hutchinson city limits.
The property owner(s) must not have outstanding permit violations and no outstanding indebtedness to the city.
Priority will be given to neighborhoods without existing sidewalks.
Priority also will go to those in a featured neighborhood.
You have a better chance with proximity to amenities (grocery store, laundromat, hospital, school, doctor, dentist).
Staff will also check the status of the sidewalk in front of the subject requested property for installment/replacement/repair.
Staff will also make choices in alignment with the Bicycle Pedestrian Master Plan.
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