At the Dec. 7 meeting, the Carmel City Council will consider an ordinance that could financially help residents improve the sidewalks on their property in front their homes.
The ordinance, sponsored by Northeast District Councilor and Council Vice President Sue Finkam, would transfer $50,000 of funds not used from the 2020 city council budget to a new, yet to be created non-reverting sidewalk fund.
Residents could apply for grant money from this new fund to cover at least part of the cost of repairing and maintaining the sidewalks in front of their homes. Finkam said details of the program are still to be finalized, but she hopes residents can begin applying for grants in April.
Finkam
“It’s something residents in my district have inquired about,” Finkam said. “We felt like this was a good time, with all of the challenges of COVID hitting pocketbooks.”
Finkam says she hopes the program will promote safety, mobility and beautification, especially in some of Carmel’s aging neighborhoods. She said she plans to ask the city’s engineering department to identify areas where sidewalk repairs are most needed.
“When people invest in their property, it helps property values remain high all across the neighborhood,” Finkam said. “We felt this could not only be a way to support families in improving their sidewalks in front of their homes to prevent injury, but it is also a way to help spur investment in the entire neighborhood.”