Sidewalks, sidewalks and more sidewalks. As many of our constituents are seeing, we are constructing concrete sidewalks along Date Palm Drive from Vista Chino to Gerald Ford Drive, and then along Gerald Ford Drive to Cameron This $602,000 Project, called the Date Palm Drive and Gerald Ford Drive Sidewalk Gap Closure Project (Project), is a Capital Improvement Project funded 75% by the Coachella Valley Association of Government’s (CVAG) Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Grant Funds and 25% approved City Capital Improvement funds.
This Project, approved for construction this past March, provides for sidewalks to be installed on the west side of Date Palm Drive filling in gaps along the City’s right of way. The new sidewalks fill-in between areas that had sidewalks and areas that did not. The project will also install sidewalks on the south side of Gerald Ford Drive where there were no sidewalks. Included in the Project are sections of concrete curb gutter and asphalt roadway that were missing, corner ADA ramps, corner spandrels and cross gutters. You may notice that some portions of the sidewalks may still be missing, these will be filled-in by development already in the planning process and will coincide with a proposed development project or site remodel soon.
Upon completion Hardy and Harper, Inc, the contractor for this work, will have installed approximately 44,000 square feet of 5-foot-wide sidewalk along 4 miles or more of roadway, 18 ADA curb ramps and about one-half mile of curb and gutter. The sidewalks will accommodate the high pedestrian volumes that were walking on dirt paths, mainly students going to and from the schools within our City. The work will be wrapped up in the next few weeks.
Sidewalks are typically not installed by the City as a budgeted item, as these are typically a requirement of developers to “build out” their respective project’s fronting streets. In areas around the City where you may see that there are no sidewalks and a house or building exists, these are areas that were most likely built prior to the City’s incorporation. Back then, sidewalks were not always installed along with the roadway. In the City’s commercial/industrial districts, you may also see a lack of sidewalks, as the thought of past planning practices was that vehicles would exclusively access these areas to utilize the services offered, and not walking pedestrians. This practice of not installing sidewalks in commercial/industrial areas has changed, as vacancies within these commercial/industrial areas are being filled with more eclectic uses that encourage, not only employees, but customers to walk between businesses. All this is changing and sidewalks, if not already there, will be phased into all new project applications.
Lastly, sidewalks are a great amenity for the public to use, but there are responsibilities that go along with having a sidewalk along your property. Most property owners may not know that in our Municipal Code (14.12.010), there is a “Duty to Maintain” requirement. This Code section mirrors CA State Streets and Highway Code Section 5610. The Code essentially requires fronting property owners along a public street which has been improved by a sidewalk to maintain the sidewalk, including the parkway area between the sidewalk the street line. Maintenance includes irrigation as necessary, trimming of grass, trees and shrubs and other vegetation within the sidewalk and parkway area. The Code also includes provisions for property owners to keep the sidewalk free and clear of sand accumulation, gravel, blow sand, debris and other material which may endanger people, property or interfere with the public convenience. This includes the replacement of lifted, cracked or damaged sidewalk panels that constitute a safety hazard and there may be liabilities incurred by the property owner if the sidewalk is not maintained to the aforementioned condition. We encourage you to go to the City Website (www.CathedralCity.gov) and review the City Code regarding sidewalks and the “Duty to Maintain.” We are not unique in the application of this Code for sidewalks, as most cities in California have adopted similar codes that require the same.
With the above Code referenced, and obligations stated, property owner should take heart that there are good reasons to maintain your sidewalk in a clean and safe condition. Sidewalks fronting property are what most people look at first when walking or passing by your property. This first impression directly impacts your property value. Take your neighbors’ properties into consideration and the condition of the sidewalks can project the entire image of the neighborhood. Look how the sidewalk additions have improved the Date Palm Drive corridor. A vast improvement on image and looks. Treat the sidewalks fronting your property as important as all the other exterior portions of your house or business.
If you have any questions regarding sidewalks, future sidewalk projects and/or City Codes, please call us at City Hall: 760-770-0340.
