April 16 Ward 6 meeting
Covered by Documenter Michelle DeShon (see her notes here)
Akron property owner: Do you know who is responsible for repairs to the sidewalk in front of your residence? How do you inform city officials of sidewalks that need repair? And who repairs a sidewalk damaged by a tree planted in a devil strip?
Tish Jernigan, the downtown operations manager for the City of Akron, in April shared answers to these questions at a Ward 6 meeting. Who knew there was so much to know about the paved paths — typically constructed of concrete, brick or asphalt — for pedestrians?
Who is responsible for maintenance and repair of Akron sidewalks?
Property owners are responsible for repairing, maintaining and clearing their property’s sidewalk.
How can Akron residents report damaged sidewalks?
To report a damaged sidewalk in front of your home or elsewhere in Akron, submit a 311 service request online, via the city’s Akron 311 mobile app or call 330-375-2311.
In the 311 request, you’ll describe the sidewalk’s condition. The request requires you to say if you want to be included in the City Sidewalk Program or if you are repairing the sidewalk yourself or with a contractor.
What is Akron’s City Sidewalk Program?
Akron’s City Sidewalk Program assists residential property owners with the cost of repairing or replacing substandard sidewalks.
In both 2024 and 2025, the city allocated $1 million to the City Sidewalk Program. This infrastructure project helps address one of the biggest concerns the city hears from residents.
In addition to sidewalks, the program can also assist with driveway aprons and the curb adjacent to the driveway apron.
Participating in the City Sidewalk Program is voluntary.
Residential property owners can contact the Engineering Bureau at 330-375-2355 for more information about the program.
What are the eligibility requirements for the sidewalk program?
Residential property owners in Akron with damaged sidewalks are eligible to participate in the City Sidewalk Program according to city officials.
In order to qualify, the property must be on a street that has curbs.
To participate, residential property owners submit a 311 request indicating they’d like to be included in the City Sidewalk Program.
The Akron Engineering Bureau is then notified of a sidewalk in need of repair. The city then sends a petition to the corresponding property owner that shows the property frontage (the space between the front of the property and the street.) The petition also includes the maximum estimated cost that would be needed to repair two roof drains (from sidewalk to the curb) and the entirety of the sidewalk that spans the property’s frontage.
Property owners seeking driveway apron can email the property address to Downtown Operations Manager Tish Jernigan at tjernigan@akronohio.gov.
The property owner must sign the petition to agree to pay a portion of the costs. The property is then added to an ordered wait list. City officials will do the work as budgeted funds are available.
How long does a sidewalk repair take?
Through the City Sidewalk Program, the average wait time between submitting a request and completing the work is two to three years.
Once the city is ready to work on the property, it will inspect the sidewalk and make any needed repairs.
The actual cost of the repair may be less than the maximum estimated cost. This may happen if the city discovers portions of the sidewalk can be preserved or new roof drains are not needed. Once repairs are complete, the owner can pay for the improvements in full with cash or have the cost — plus interest — assessed over a 10-year period as part of property taxes.
How much does the City Sidewalk Program charge for repairs?
Uniform assessment rates are set by Akron City Council. The property owner will pay the rate that is current at the time the petition is received.
As of March 2025, the current rates are:
- Sidewalk: $25.25 per front foot
- Driveway apron: $3.05 per square foot
- Roof drain pipes (sidewalk to curb only): $29 each
- Curb (at apron only): $21.25 per foot
Director of Public Service Chris Ludle has said these rates are often considerably lower than what a contractor would charge.
What if the sidewalk is damaged due to a tree?
If the city finds that damage to a homeowner’s sidewalk is due to a tree located in the devil strip, the city will cover the costs for up to 15 feet of damaged sidewalk.
The city will also remove the problem tree, if necessary, and add the property address to a list to receive a new tree in the future.
If any trees on private property must be removed to complete the sidewalk repairs, they will be removed at the owner’s expense.