Sidewalk near Crane Chapel to remain in place, repaired

Published 10:21 am Thursday, May 19, 2016

A sidewalk will remain in place and be repaired near Crane Community Chapel after it was decided in an Austin City Council work session Monday night.

Pastor Dale Christiansen expressed concern at the Feb. 22 council meeting during a public hearing about the need to replace the sidewalk on the east side of Ninth Street Northeast, next to the church parking lot.

He followed up with a letter asking if the sidewalk could be removed or left as is because they felt the current condition of it was sufficient for pedestrians. He added that many people cut across their parking lot instead of walking to the end of the block.

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Public Works Director Steven Lang said he reviewed the sidewalk layout in that neighborhood and associated costs and recommended the sidewalk stay in place and be fixed. He added the homes north of the parking lot could still utilize that sidewalk.

The church has been assessed $3,906.62 for removal and replacement of deficient sidewalk panels, which about 80 percent of the panels adjacent to the parking lot have been marked as deficient.

The cost associated with removing the sidewalk and restoration of sod in the boulevard would be $2,717.35.

The council agreed to keep the sidewalk and repair it. Christiansen said the church was okay with leaving it in place.