Some Austin residents in the northwest part of town will be paying to have their sidewalks repaired this summer.

The area between Fourth and Twelfth Streets NW from Oakland to Fourth Avenue has been selected this year for the new project.

"We're going to pick out an area of town every year and fix up the sidewalk," Assistant City Engineer Steve Lang said.

He said residents only will be charged for the area in front of their houses; the entire cost will not be averaged.

The city will be taking bids from companies to do the repairs, but that process has not yet begun. The city will select the low bid and begin repairing the area on July 4.

Lang estimated the cost for citizens in the neighborhood to be between $110 and $125 per panel. That cost can be added to taxes over a period of time that has not yet been determined. Lang said it is either a five or 10-year period.

Residents do have the option of choosing their own contractor. Anyone who chooses this option will have to have the work completed by July 1, so that the city knows ahead of time how much repair work is needed.

Lang said most residents will probably not choose that option. He said the city will most likely get a better deal taking bids for a large area than an individual citizen would be able to get.

That option, however, was added in case any contractors living in the area wanted to do their own work or if any residents knew a contractor personally that would give them a deal.

This project will make the city better prepared for when people make "trip and fall claims," Lang said.

It will demonstrate that the city is working to keep sidewalks safe for the citizens.

"We're trying to get the sidewalks fixed prior to the claims," he said.

An informational meeting for residents is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com