KING CITY — California Department of Housing and Community Department has awarded King City with $3.5 million for sidewalk repairs and improvements, which was applied for as part of a competitive Community Development Block Grant program.
The funding, which comes from the federal government, is administered by the state to assist low- and moderate-income families or aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight.
“The grant funding will be instrumental in improving pedestrian accessibility and public safety throughout the community and is a great example of persistence,” said Steve Adams, city manager for King City. “This is the fourth application submitted by the City after the first three were unsuccessful. The City refused to give up because sidewalk repairs are greatly needed, and the City does not have the necessary funding available within its budget.”
The city’s sidewalk system has deteriorated due to a lack of adequate funding over the years.
The City of King prepared a citywide Americans with Disabilities Act pedestrian walkway assessment plan in 2016, which was updated in 2019. It addressed sidewalk replacement, as well as missing sidewalk segments and curb ramps. The grant will fund the first phase of that plan.
“It’s definitely a big improvement in the city, so that’s why we haven’t given up, we have a lot of sidewalk work that we need to do,” Adams said.
Adams explained the citywide project will mostly focus on residential areas.
“The initial focus is not on one area, but will include most of the oldest residential areas where the sidewalks are most deteriorated,” he said.
Final designs and preparation of bid documents will begin immediately, according to Adams. Construction is projected to begin in spring 2021.
Adams said the project will be carried out by contractors that specialize in sidewalk construction. He noted the city has an overall plan that has identified the improvements needed.
Since the grant will not cover all improvements, the city has to determine which areas need to be prioritized with the grant funding. Adams said the amount of the repairs and new sidewalk completed will depend on the bids received for the work.
Once the grant project is completed, the city plans to budget additional ongoing funds for an annual repair program to address any deficiencies not funded through the grant.
While the grant will enable the city to fix a large portion of sidewalks, it will fall short of addressing all the needs that exist. When the project is complete, the city aims to have budgeted the annual funding to continue sidewalk improvement programs to address the remaining needs.
