More Zig Zagging on Warren Street and Something New To Trip On

As of Monday, the sidewalk in front of 205-207 Warren Street has reopened to pedestrian traffic. Well, 60% of it has, anyway.  And it appears City Hall is fine with that.

The ugly new concrete step in front of the building extends exactly 5 feet from the wall of the building.  From the end of the step to the curb stone is exactly 7 feet 2 inches.  The new step takes up 40% of the width of the sidewalk.

How would a blind person feel 
about this?  Par for the course?

Notice in the pictures of a pair of pedestrians walking side by side past 205-207 Warren how the woman on the right has to alter her path of travel to avoid hitting the step.  Thus, the woman on the left must also move left to accommodate her walking partner.  Notice how after the pair have passed the building that the woman on the right moves back to her right to once again be in the natural lane of travel where she was not able to be moments before.  

When she comes to the next stoop, which does not extend 5 feet into the sidewalk, she does not have to alter her walk.  Neither of them does.  That stoop is not in their way, so the two of them can easily walk past it without disturbance or looking out for something to trip over, unlike in front of 205-207 Warren. 

Why 5 feet from the building?

Shouldn't one of the city's goals regarding sidewalks, where attainable, be that the width of all sidewalks shall readily accommodate 2 pedestrians walking side by side?  In some areas this is not possible, but it used to be the case in front of 205-207 Warren.  Not anymore.  Why?

Let's see how long it takes for that step (and possibly the sidewalk) to begin to deteriorate and look even uglier.   Be assured that you will be the first to read about it right here on Hudseen!