Would This Be Acceptable On Warren Street For Even One Week?

 

Work in front of 238 Allen
in July of 2022

I think it's safe to say that the reasons for the sorry state of our sidewalks are widespread indifference and inaction from City Hall.  Not in the past, but still to this day.  Code Enforcement either can't or won't enforce the code about sidewalk repair.  Mayors talk the talk about sidewalks, then they leave office.  Committees are formed, but the alders come and go so often that nothing gets accomplished.  Then there's our Department of Public Works, which appears to not give one hoot about safe sidewalks, also known as public rights of way.  Evidence of this last point is on full display in front of 238 Allen Street, a house owned by the Galvan Foundation.

Photo taken 4 months ago

The picture above was taken in front of 238 Allen in July of 2022, over 8 months ago.  Galvan's contractor excavated the sidewalk (as seen in the picture), and eventually excavated in the street as well.  At the time, I FOILed for any permits issued by DPW to Galvan or their contractor for the work, and the response I got a month later was: "There are no responsive documents for your request."  No permit to dig up the sidewalk, block the sidewalk, or dig in the street.  When finished in front, the contractor covered the hole in the sidewalk with stones and paved over the hole in the street with asphalt.  (It is possible that DPW paved over the hole in the street -- something they usually do after contractors are done.)

March of 2023

More than 8 months after the work began -- surprise, surprise-- the stones used on the sidewalk are a scattered mess, all over the sidewalk and in the street.  Do you think Robert Perry or Galvan give a hoot about how unsafe and ugly the sidewalk in front of 238 Allen is?  Obviously, he does not.  Do you think that Robert Perry cares that Galvan failed to pay for, and be issued, permits for the work done in front of 238 Allen?  It appears not.  Based on permits I have seen for similar street and sidewalk excavations, my estimation is that Galvan would have had pay at least $200 for a DPW permit to dig in the street and on the sidewalk.  Galvan is fully aware of the permit requirements to dig up our streets and sidewalks.

More than 8 months later, the 
new asphalt in the street is
holding up nicely!

More than 8 months later, does DPW
or CEO care that Galvan has left 
a fine mess in the sidewalk and
in the street?

238 Allen Street is included on the CEO's Vacant Buildings list, though work on the building is non-existent.  The CEO Building Permit in the window of 238 Allen, dated 5/2022, will expire in two months.

Is this an example of 
CURB APPEAL?