Description

Per Oakland Code Section 12.04.030, the City Engineer should repair this sidewalk and put a lien on the property. The sidewalk in front of 960 45th St has been torn up for over a year by the tenant of the home. There is non-structural plywood laying full length across the sidewalk which is not merely unsightly but poses significant safety issues (trip hazards, structural integrity hazards, possibly trenching/excavation hazards). It does not appear that any work has ever been attempted to remedy the situation, but it actually is getting worse: recently, the extent of the damage appears to be increasing as there are now additional boards laying across the sidewalk posing even more hazards. There also appears to be a temporary, stolen road hazard sign with a handwritten warning about hazards, which is obviously insufficient per a simple job hazard analysis and obviously not temporary, as it has been there for over a year. This is a public sidewalk and it seems like no attention has been given to it from anyone in Public Works, from the City Engineer and certainly not from the tenant. The repair area is greater than 25 sq ft, which requires a City permit, yet I️ don't believe a permit has ever been pulled nor anyone has ever required it (and if so, it's highly doubtful the permit extended for over a year). Over the last 12 months: I have witnessed numerous people trip while walking through the unpermitted construction zone, saw a blind individual nearly kill himself and fallen myself when out for an early morning job. Perhaps the City Engineer will pay attention once an injured individual or the ADA (or both) bring a lawsuit against them.