Apply now for Kalispell's sidewalk cost-sharing program

The city of Kalispell’s successful 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Program is taking applicants now that the snow is melting and the spring construction season is just weeks away.

Kalispell homeowners, whose sidewalks are in the city right of way, are responsible for maintenance of the walkways that adjoin their properties. With the 50/50 program, the city will split the cost of replacing the sidewalks and provide professional expertise at no additional cost. The city finds a local sidewalk contractor through the competitive bidding process, another benefit that lowers costs for homeowners.

“We assign an engineer to oversee the program through the construction season,” Director of Public Works Susie Turner said. “We’ll set the grades and make sure it’s up to current city standards and is ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) accessible. Really the homeowner gets a lot of really good benefits from this program, with engineering resources and contract oversight.”

Turner said on average, the city replaces about four and a half blocks of sidewalk every year with the 50/50 program. The cost for a homeowner to replace 30 feet of sidewalk at 2015 prices, for example, would be roughly $500, though costs are determined on a case-by-case basis.

The program is not mandatory for even the most deteriorated sidewalk and Turner said this has created patchworks of old and new walkways throughout the city. She encourages homeowners to consider not only the benefit of improved sidewalks for the neighborhood, but also the aesthetics of their property as well.

The program is administered on a first-come, first-served basis, with residents applying to participate. Turner said an infrequent reason for turning down a request is that a sidewalk is already in reasonably good condition.

“We don’t put money toward something that doesn’t need to be replaced,” she said. “But it’s rare that we go out and say, ‘your sidewalk is too good.’ Typically the older sidewalks downtown especially are cracked, heaved, eroded or flaking away.”

Property owners have two payment options. For the first, the contractor can bill the property owner directly for their share of the cost upon completion of the work. The property owner’s share may also be paid through an eight-year assessment program. Payments are made by prorating the cost over an eight-year period on their property taxes.

To apply or for more information, visit the city website at http://www.kalispell.com/public_works/sidewalk or contact Public Works at 758-7720.

Reporter Heidi Gaiser may be reached at 758-4438 or hgaiser@dailyinterlake.com.