Chloe Lew: Westwood residents should help fund sidewalk fix

Westwood is a breeding ground for stubbed toes and sprained ankles.

The reason why is just underfoot. It takes dedicated focus, if not sheer poise, to maneuver through the neighborhood’s neglected, broken sidewalks.

After 40 years of neglect, the Los Angeles City Council is proposing a $10 million allocation to repair L.A. sidewalks — a small stepping-stone on the path to solving a larger $1.5 billion problem.

While two-thirds of that money is already earmarked for specified locations, one-third is up for grabs. Those funds will be allocated to residents who wish to expedite repairs on the sidewalk adjacent to their property by splitting the costs of repairs 50-50 with the city.

Through a survey calling out for public responses on how to tackle our sidewalk liability, city council is giving citizens a voice and a chance to snag the best deal.

Given the monumental cost of sidewalk repair, it is no surprise that the city is calling on property owners for contributions. Although the initiative to repair sidewalks seems like it should be a city responsibility, it is in Westwood property and business owners’ best interests to contribute before the cost continues to climb.

First, a little history: About half a century ago, real estate developers planted ficus trees across Los Angeles. Known for their fast rate of growth, ficuses are also notorious for their troublesome roots, which grow upward rather than downward.

As an unforeseen result, sidewalks were forced up and broken all over the city as the trees grew. Although property owners are legally responsible for their sidewalks, the city declared in 1973 that it would shoulder the burden of damages caused by the trees. But since it made that promise, the city hasn’t allocated enough money to the cause, and lumpy sidewalks have caused many injuries in the meantime.

But before we write off sidewalks as an issue just for the municipal government to handle, Westwood residents must consider the stake they have in sidewalk repair.

Last year, the nonprofit Westwood Business Improvement District, which is funded by annual fees paid by its members, leveled and cleaned 10,000 feet of sidewalk – most notably on Westwood Boulevard between Kinross Avenue and Lindbrook Drive.

But the BID’s efforts are limited. It has yet to tackle the uneven sidewalks on Weyburn Avenue, and the district does not cover the frightening and unsightly concrete slopes in the North Village, where many UCLA students trek home at night.

So the revived efforts of the L.A. City Council to save Westwood’s pavements are an offer property owners cannot refuse.

Granted, the people of Westwood already put forth their fair share through city taxes. But for those who are worried that the cost is high now, further neglect is not a solution because the cost is only going to get higher.

In fact, the city is constantly settling scores of pricey lawsuits from aggrieved pedestrians who have literally fallen victim to buckled sidewalks.

Sidewalks should be repaired for safety reasons alone. Along with the well-being of our pedestrians, sidewalk repair will also protect the prosperity of our city.

Sidewalk repair is hardly beautification purely for the sake of looks. For restaurants like TLT Food, last year’s sidewalk repair by the BID now accommodates better outdoor seating, as opposed to unsteady tables on unleveled chunks of sidewalk, said Jason Wishengrad, TLT Food’s executive vice president.

Meanwhile, smooth sidewalks will make the village more inviting for not only people on foot, but also bicyclists and skateboarders, a demographic Westwood has struggled to befriend.

If Angelenos harbor resentment toward city council for failing to care for our sidewalks earlier, as they have every right to, it is best to lay that ire aside. At a rate of $10 million a year, it would take 150 years to meet the city’s benchmark for a fully repaired network of sidewalks, so it is all the more crucial for property owners to establish a communicative and mutually beneficial relationship with the city now.

For the sake of avoiding both broken wheels and broken toes, residents and owners need to help fund sidewalk repair. Westwood has its charms, but the sidewalks are not one of them.