Birds Chirping…
As some of you know, I’ve been trying to find out the story behind this sidewalk blockade along NE 2 in Deep Deuce. What’s interesting is when city officials first claimed it was a utility that was responsible, the named utility was immediately responsive, sent folks out to the site and determined that this one was owned by the city’s water/waste water division headed up by Marsha Slaughter.
Debbie Ragan, representing this matter, responded that the sidewalk was built this way due to a water meter placement.
I asked the following questions. So far, weeks have passed with no response. Why the silence? I sent out a follow up email today:
We’re approaching a month since I started asking these questions. When can I expect answers?
1. What is the risk of lowering the grate (an inch or so) so that it is flush with the sidewalk and doesn’t impede pedestrian traffic? Is it really a life or death situation if the grate is lowered?
2. How big of a deal would it be to move the water meter if lowering the grate is unacceptable?
3. Regardless of expense, would this sort of sidewalk impediment be accepted in front of Devon tower? The Skirvin hotel? City Hall? The mayor’s house? The homes of Larry Nichols, Aubrey McClendon, Tom Ward or other prominent city leaders? Would you really tell them, “tough, it’s too expensive to move?”
4 Would it be acceptable to have a fenced grate in the middle of a street? If not, and if pedestrian access is now to be given equal (or better) footing with vehicular access, than why is this an acceptable sidewalk?
5. What does this sort of sidewalk arrangement say about Oklahoma City’s engineering standards? What does it say about the Oklahoma City Water/Waste Water Utilities Department? What does it say about its responsibility to provide residents with sidewalks that are as safe and free of barriers as streets are for cars? Or are we back to treating pedestrian access as an afterthought to vehicular access?
Thank you for joining our conversation on OKC Central. We encourage your discussion but ask that you stay within the bounds of our commenting and posting policy.
Comments
In this case this sidewalk is used by area residents between Deep Deuce and the Central Business District. Expect the activity to pick up quite a bit when the new apartment complex and hotel open up on that street.
What’s going on with May Avenue Jan?
Steve,
Contact Pam Henry with the Mayor’s Disability Concerns Committee and let her work on it. Certainly, accessibility is near and dear to the hearts of the committee members.
Brenda
I think Jan’s point is that there are accessible entrances from the street, but no sidewalks. Where there are sidewalks, there are usually light or utility poles in the center of the sidewalk.
I drove by this area today and took a look. Another potential solution might be to “float” more concrete on top of the existing sidewalk in order to raise the level flush with the grate.
I continue to be disappointed at the City’s lack of responsiveness and believe now, more than ever, that this is symptomatic of some greater issue within the City.
Surely the City Manager, Jim Couch, can see how poorly this reflects on his administration. Again, how in the world are city residents expected to have confidence that Project 180 can be carried out competently when the City is simultaneously stubbing its toe (and evidently sticking its head in the sand) when it comes to dealing with something as basic as this?
At what point should somebody just go and hang a sign on the railing that says something like “This eyesore and pedestrian hazard brought to you by the Oklahoma City Water Department. We’re too lazy to fix it and too arrogant to respond to your concerns; please don’t bother us.”?
I can to be both perplexed and disappointed by the City’s apparent lack of concern over this matter. The problems in this case are now twofold
first, the original sloppy work (apparently performed by the City Water Department) coupled with an apparent hope that no one of import would notice; and
two, their complete unwillingness to address the situation when called out on the matter.
How can we trust the City to carry out Project 180 or MAPS 3 in a competent manner if they fumble on something as basic as this?
Dont expect anything from Marsha. If she doesnt like your questions or your ideas they will go in her circular file drawer. Close minded.
Steve,
Have you had a chance to look at the ‘sidewalks’ on May between 23rd and I-44?
Also, is there a lot of foot traffic in the area you are researching? Who walks there? OKC visitors?
How does the city prioritize projects? Is it by the amount of traffic? Is it by area? By who sees it?
Jan