If Not DPW, Who? If Not Now, When?

The only iced surface in town!
Ready to be stepped on!
Ignored by DPW!

Today, more than a week after the most recent rainfall and with recent temperatures often below freezing, you would be hard-pressed to find wet or icy pavement in the entire City of Hudson.  Unless, that is, you were to stand at the intersection of North 6th Street & Rope Alley, behind the ancient county-owned building at 610 State, where wet or icy walking and driving surfaces are a near constant presence.

This morning, as late as 10:30, there was a large patch of ice ready to be driven on in the alley and walked on in the pedestrian crossing area connecting the two sidewalks.  I call it surprise ice, the worst kind that can be found in walking areas, especially at night -- a large patch of ice in a pedestrian walkway where no pedestrians would expect ice, let alone wet pavement.  Surprise, you are in the hospital because you slipped on the only icy surface in the entire city!  You hit your head really hard on the pavement, broke your hip and elbow, and ruined your right knee!   The doctor says he would be surprised if you recover in less than 6 months.  And don't be surprised if those headaches and fogginess stick around for the rest of your life.  Apparently, this is not a problem to DPW Superintendent Robert Perry.  The situation behind 610 State was bad last winter, with a steady supply of frozen seeped water, though DPW never paid any attention to it.

One week after rain, none of
the alley should be wet or icy!
(notice cracks on surface that DPW repaved last year)

Starting a few years ago in the street in front of 610 State, water would constantly and strangely seep up onto the pavement.  If it was cold enough, huge swaths of ice would form and last for days or weeks along the curb and well into the street, even when the rest of the city's streets were without snow, ice and wetness.  It took DPW and a hired contractor a long time to repair that leaking pipe, which was found over a block away near Green Street, as I was told.  A small sinkhole in the street next to DPW's excavation in front of 610 State is a sign of further trouble.

The same situation of water seeping up and onto the pavement has been evident behind 610 State for a few years.  Though not as severe as it was in front, it seems to be worsening.  There can be no reason Robert Perry has not been aware of it.  A few days ago, the amount of wet pavement in the alley was astounding (sorry, no picture).  Some days are worse than others, seemingly regardless of rainfall.

My guess is that the leak causing this seepage is difficult to get to or locate, possibly being under one of 610 State's parking lots or the building itself.  At some point, though, something needs to be done to halt the water leak and seepage to prevent ice from forming on the pavement IN THE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY AREA.  It ain't gettin' any better, and the opportunity for someone to slip and fall on that surprise ice isn't going away.  Ignoring the situation is dumb and only getting dumber, and none of us who walk there can afford to ignore the situation that has been around for too long. 

Have the Hudson and Columbia County DPWs bothered to look into this water infrastructure failure that is creating a dangerous and annoying situation on, essentially, a city sidewalk?  What, if anything, is the plan to solve the problem?  

Today, I informed Mayoral Aide and ADA Coordinator Michael Hoffman of the problem, which he was unaware of.

Consider this a test of City Hall's commitment
  to a walkable city, safe sidewalks, 
and ADA requirements forced on us by the DOJ.