Welcome to Minneapolis Sidewalks

At Minneapolis Sidewalks, we are dedicated to providing exceptional public relations services with a focus on property owners in Minneapolis. Our unique approach sets us apart from the rest. We Care About Property Owners and our Pedestrians. With that being said Minneapolis Sidewalks is NOT endorced or associated in any way with the City of Minneapolis. 

Awareness

We are all aware our Cityside Walks are in total disrepair. Sometimes you cant even walk down the sidewalk with out tripping over a concrete slab that isbeing lifted up by the roots of the CITY OF MINNEAPOLIS OWNED TREES. Not to mention the residence and business owners who refuse to shovel the ice and snow in front of their establishments or homes. Regardless of the the City Ordinance Chapter 445.10 and 445.20

Even with Ordinances Chapter 445.20 gives the City Engineers and Managers the "Responsibility" and the "Right" to remove the snow and ice from sidewalks and then charge the Business Owners and Property Owners for not doing so. But when it comes to the Cities own sidewalks around parks and on overpasses that are constantly covered in ice and snow who is then responsible for that removal? 

 

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

For the Sidewalk Repair and Maintenance due to the damages caused by the "CITY OWNED TREES"?

That is a good question. I have been fighting with the City of Minneapolis, Department of Forestry and the City Council to start caring about the city sidewalks where hundreds and thousands of people walk each and everyday all over Minneapolis and yet I am told that it is the RESPONSIBILTY OF THE BUSINESS AND HOME OWNERS TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN THE SIDEWALKS IN FRONT OF THEIR PROPERTY.  Even the sidewalks that have been damaged by none other than the very CITY OWNED TREES that they planted in the sidewalks and boulevards.

I recently purchased my home in Whittier, Minneapolis, Minnesota and I received no information or publications regarding the city sidewalks as it pertains to maintaing and repairing the sidewalk in front of my home. Until now I thought that the City of Minneapolis was responsible and if not at least my property tax would cover that. Sadly no, sidewalk maintenance and repair is an out-of-pocket expense. Not only that but I am not even allowed to fix it myself. I have to spend thousands of dollars hiring a contractor to come out survey it get all the proper licences and permits to repair the sidewalk that was damaged by the, yes, CITY OWNED TREES.  

I know that some of these images are trivial so some, but they are damages that were done years ago, before many of us owned our homes. Even when the city pretends to repair the sidewalks  and the city decides to take care of the trees "they" plant.  They pour asphalt over the damaged areas. Not only is it hideous but they cause a great tripping hazard and  if your child is riding their bikes or skateboards and they hit one of these slabs damaged by the trees, they can get seriously hurt. Who is responsible for that? We are the property owners. Our insurance premiums could sky rocket  that is if they even cover that, and We could even lose our homes.

SO WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS? 

For starters you can sign a petition to change this Policy where HOME OWNERS are responsible to pay for damages to the sidewalks by the City Owned Tree's. In most states the County, City or even the State either pays a portion of the costs or they pay all of it. After all, "They" put in the trees. 

 

 

Property Tax

what does your Property Taxes Cover?

County services

  • Social services
  • Public health
  • Roads and highways**
  • Libraries
  • Corrections
  • Sheriff
  • Environmental services

City or town services

  • Roads and streets**
  • Police and fire
  • Parks and recreation
  • Libraries
  • Building safety

School district services

  • K–12 education
  • Community education

Metropolitan Special Taxing Districts services

  • Transportation
  • Regional sewer system
  • Mosquito control (public health)

Other special taxing districts services

  • Regional parks
  • Regional railroads
  • Museums
  • Watershed management
  • Public housing

Millions and Millions in Grant Money for the Roads but not Sidewalks**

According to recent reports, Minneapolis received a $20 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve street safety, which will be used for upgrades and safety improvements on city roads; this grant is part of the "Safe Streets and Roads for All" program. 

Also

 A project to improve the Nicollet Avenue Bridge is getting $34.2 million in federal funding.

So if the City of Minneapolis is getting a total of $54.2 million to repair all of these roads then why do they still need the money from Property Tax to cover the Roads, Highways and Streets. Why can they not take the money from the property taxes that go for the Roads, Highways and Streets and apply them to the Sidewalks.

Where are the grants for the Sidewalks? Are the pedestrians and children on bikes not important.  We use the sidewalks every single day to get to the parks and schools and even the libraries. Why are they not just as important!

Minneapolis; Idea of Sidwalk Repair

I have reached out to the City Of Minneapolis, Department of Forestry,  Counsil Vice President Chughtai and even the Star Tribune who never responded. I tried to explain my concerns with the safety issues with the Minneapolis City Sidewalks. People are tripping and injuring themself. Children are falling off bikes hitting these defective slabs.

The answer that I received from the Department of Forestry is that they will come out and pour asphalt on the sidewalks where they are lifting until they can get around to fixing them.

Apparently it has taken many years for them to get around to it. As you can see from the pictures above they have poured the asphalt on the sidewalks and then just forgot all about it.  Waiting for hard working residents, property owners and renters to pay the city for the damages caused by the CITY OWNED AND PLANTED TREES!

 

Who else to contact?

Let them know how you feel. Tell them that they should be responsible for the trees that they put in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can Minneapolis Sidewalks help me?

Minneapolis Sidewalks (M.S.) Will help you find the right solution for the problems regarding your sidewalks and with your help and support we, together, can change the policies and ordinances of the Minnesota Forestry Services and City of Minneapolis. if your elected City Commissioners wont step up and and protect you. then we will do what we can. When it comes to the maintance and care of the City Owned Trees and Sidewalks it should be the responsibility of the City and the Department of Forestry.

What sets Minneapolis Sidewalks apart from other agencies?

Our Very Unique approach to this problem, a problem that is growing more and more each day, is that we are not afraid to stand up and look out for all residents, property owners and renters when it comes to the safety and well-being of our sidewalks. We have gone to the City of Minneapolis and to the County Commissioners and even the Department of Forestry to get the right answers. They are yet forthcoming. 

How do I get started with Minneapolis Sidewalks?

Getting started with minneapolissidewalks is easy! Simply reach out to us in an email detailing the issues with your sidewalk rather it be snow and ice or damages caused by the CITY OWNED TREES.

Contact us

Please sign our petition to change the Policy of the City Of Minneapolis and Department of Foresty. Damages to the City Sidewalks by the City Owned Trees should be their responsibilty. 

Location

minneapolissidewalks
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

About us

minneapolissidewalks is the ONLY public relations agency in Minneapolis, dedicated to serving property owners and the Minneapolis Sidewals with top-notch PR strategies. Our team is committed to creating strong connections and delivering outstanding results. We are local right here in the heart of Minneapolis.