Repair of closed sidewalk on Fourth Avenue delayed due to costs, underground vault
The block between Huron and Washington on Fourth Avenue has been closed since March, but many pedestrians ignore the signs and walk over the deteriorating sidewalk.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
Below the disintegrating sidewalk on South Fourth Avenue near East Huron Street in downtown Ann Arbor lies an old vault, once used for coal.
Pedestrians can peer down a rusted metal grate in the sidewalk to see inside the vault, which provides access to the adjacent Embassy Hotel’s boiler room.
Since March, orange-and-white construction zone barriers have blocked the walkway — although pedestrians zigzag around “sidewalk closed, cross here” signs to walk through the area.


After two years of discussions and numerous delays, city officials and the hotel's owner say repairs will soon be made.


Embassy co-owner Gurv Singh said the project — first ordered by the city in 2008 — is tricky and costly because of the vault below the sidewalk. The plan has been to replace the sidewalk before a water main replacement and repaving project the city had planned for that stretch of Fourth Avenue.
"The city gave us a letter demanding us to repair the sidewalk immediately and closed the sidewalk off," Singh said. "At the same time, they told us they needed to replace the water main under the road on Fourth Avenue."
The city first contacted the Embassy Hotel in 2008 regarding its plans for the new water main on Fourth Avenue, senior project manager Elizabeth Rolla said. After inspecting the road, the city determined construction couldn’t take place near the deteriorating vault.
Consulting firm Robert Darvas Associates said in a Feb. 19, 2010 report obtained by AnnArbor.com through the Freedom of Information Act that the sidewalk and vault’s condition was "very questionable in relation to its ability to resist the heavy street construction stresses and vibrations that would be placed on it during street and sewer repairs and replacement."
According to one written estimate, the cost to repair the vault and sidewalk would be nearly $36,000. In Ann Arbor, home and business owners are required to cover the costs of repairs for sidewalks adjacent to their property.
In addition, the city can charge the hotel $50 a day in fees for the sidewalk closure. In theory, that would amount to a charge of close to $9,000 since the sidewalk has been closed since March.
Singh said he needed financial assistance before going forward with the project. After he unsuccessfully contacted different financial institutions seeking a loan, the city agreed to help the hotel fund the project to get it completed as soon as possible. Singh said the city also hasn't charged the hotel any sidewalk closure fees.
According to a draft of the "Building Vault and Sidewalk Repair Agreement" between the city and Embassy Hotel, the city will cover 70 percent of the cost, or $24,500, which the hotel must repay in annual installments over 10 years. The hotel must pay the remaining 30 percent to the contractor up front, and the project must be completed no later than Dec. 31.
"The city has been working with us very diligently and has been very cordial in finding some funding," Singh said. "Our business has really slowed down due to the economy, and it's taking a toll on us. The city has been gracious and is going to assist us."
Singh said the hotel has a contractor, and the plans from the structural engineer and the necessary permits have all been submitted to the city for approval. He hopes to be able to move forward on the project to repair the vault and sidewalk within a month.
Singh said the condition of the sidewalk and the signs outside the hotel have affected his business, and he hopes to have the repairs done as soon as possible.
He’s not the only one — various community members have complained to the city about the condition of the sidewalk and the signs on the Fourth Avenue block, documents obtained through FOIA show.
Ann Arbor attorney Roger Chard works on Washington Street and said the project seems to be taking an "extraordinarily" long time.
"It would be nice if the sidewalk would open up again so people could use it," Chard said. "Five or six months have gone by and the most we've seen is they've changed the signs a couple times."
Lizzy Alfs is a senior at the University of Michigan majoring in English. She is also a news reporter for the Michigan Daily. E-mail her with events and news relating to Ann Arbor’s North Side.
Comments
Joe Hood
Wed, Sep 8, 2010 : 11:58 a.m.
But what's wrong with that sidewalk? It looks different but there are no variations greater than a quarter inch.
Jay Allen
Fri, Aug 20, 2010 : 10:27 a.m.
@thick candy shell: Really? I thought (and still do think) that the city will still be libel in some way. I am not a law student and I do not really know.
djm12652
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 3:48 p.m.
I'm always amazed at the number of people such as the woman in the photo, that move the barricade to walk on the sidewalk...and when someone falls in...gets hurt...they'll scream bloody murder! After all, these people are entitled to walk where and when they want! And they key word here is "entitled" typical A2 mentality.
snapshot
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 11:16 a.m.
This is a perfect example of the blatant disregard that pedestrians in Ann Arbor have for following any rules of safety. Sidewalk repairs are another reason we need a city income tax to level out the cost playing fields. Bike lanes are a good idea but I would be more happy with a "hit a bicycle, go to jail" law. Drivers in Ann Arbor seem to have a chip on their shoulder about folks who ride bikes. No matter how many "laws" bicyclists break, you still have no right to assault them, threaten them, or use your vehicle as a deadly weapon against them. I'm waiting for a case where a bicyclist brings charges against a driver for "attempted murder" or assault. From what I've seen it's a good possibility just the same as pulling a gun and waving it around if you're using your vehicle to get too close or tailgaiting to get the cyclist to move out of the way. Any law types out there?
Thick Candy Shell
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:44 a.m.
@TheAnnouncerMan007, what you forget is the fact that the City does have a large amount of governmental immunity. Because they have posted "Sidewalk Closed Cross Here", if you ignore it, you are not able to go after the City because you are not following a lawful traffic control device.
Jim S.
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 10:38 a.m.
This is a joke given the city's imposed "sidewalk repair program" over the last five years. I'm glad someone finally noticed the sidewalk two blocks away from city hall looked like a moonscape.
Jay Allen
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:43 a.m.
@DagnyJ; "Yes, but we have new bike lanes! So what if a few people can't use the sidewalk? Those spry seniors can buy a bike!" And don't forget our Police Boat!!! LOL In the picture and the caption below the picture, how long before a person is injured and the sues the City because of their own stupidity?
beachbaby
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:38 a.m.
I walk by here every day for work. They really need to get this wrapped up so the sidewalks can be used again.
ThaKillaBee
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:27 a.m.
First priority: BIKE LANES FOR EVERYBODY, YAY!!!!!!!! They'll get to this when they're good and ready.
Mick52
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 9:16 a.m.
I've always felt it is a big scam when the city forces land owners to repair sidewalks adjacent to their property. Since sidewalks are for public use, repairs and upkeep should be paid for by the city. Also I suppose if there is a tree next to your sidewalk and its roots will for sure buckle the sidewalk there is no way "treetown" will let you remove the tree. It's really sad to see they do this in the business districts too. Don't buy a corner lot, that doubles your sidewalk.
calmic
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
It's high time that our "pedestrian friendly" city paid more attention to broken sidewalks, and missing sidewalks (which the city refers to as 'sidewalk gaps'). Too many times I have had city officials use the excuse that sidewalk repair or construction is up to property owners, and the city has not jurisdiction. There is so much road repair occurring throughout the city (and it is definitely needed)-- why not make the same investment in sidewalks?
DagnyJ
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 7:28 a.m.
Yes, but we have new bike lanes! So what if a few people can't use the sidewalk? Those spry seniors can buy a bike!
yohan
Thu, Aug 19, 2010 : 5:21 a.m.
Good report, I was wondering what was going on with that sidewalk. Sorry to see it has taken so long. If this project involved the parking of cars the DDA would have funded it in a heartbeat.