"Maybe they are going to replace"?!

Under the circumstances I'm starting to expect the Gulf of Mexico to be oil-free before that sidewalk or any sidewalk on Pearl Street gets fixed.

That particular sidewalk pictured above is in front of my house. It doesn't really say "LAYDON" anymore because it has mostly weathered off in the YEARS since it was painted. It seems that the project was canceled.

After living in the house for two years, I had become used traversing the small cliffs in the sidewalk on the way to my front door. But in April of 2008 I came home to find the cliffs had been smoothed over with copious amounts of asphalt. They (Laydon?) also added an artistic touch of pink (see new photo) to highlight parts of the sidewalk that had actually been pushed above grade by the roots of the tree. It was an ugly job, but the "LAYDON" made me hopeful that maybe a real fix was coming. The next day there was a card in my mailbox from the city (DPW, I think) apologizing, in advance, for the inconvenience that the impending sidewalk repair work in front of my house would cause. I was told to expect a disruption in on-street parking and driveway access for at least a few days.

I was hopeful, and I waited for the Laydon crew to come. But as you all know, they never did. The asphalt, pink spray paint, and (perhaps worst of all) the large "LAYDON" letters ultimately became somewhat of a daily reminder of the false hope I once had for a functional city - and I'm not just talking about sidewalks anymore. In that sense, I'm glad that the paint is fading. It makes it easier to sometimes just not think about it, and live on in the ignorant, passive, bliss (or disillusion?) that keeps our city hall running.

I'll admit, I'm very frustrated and I'm ranting. I really do like living here, and I'm committed to being active in my community. But I'm getting tired of promises that are indefinitely delayed. New sidewalks? New trash bins/recycling program - in my neighborhood? Sewer separation? Green streets? Grocery store? Apple store? ANY stores? Boat House/Harbor development? Downtown Crossing? Zip Cars? Education reform? Mulit-purposed streets? City light rail?! Stop lights that make sense? Consistent and impartial parking enforcement? I won't hold my breath. But I will continue to attend meetings and no doubt add to the list of promises.

At least I can count on paying MORE taxes - but for what exactly?

In response to Berkowitz's comment on the other thread for this same issue (#1470 - where I can't seem to make the comment post):

"Maybe they are going to replace"?!

Under the circumstances I'm starting to expect the Gulf of Mexico to be oil-free before that sidewalk or any sidewalk on Pearl Street gets fixed.

That particular sidewalk pictured above is in front of my house. It doesn't really say "LAYDON" anymore because it has mostly weathered off in the YEARS since it was painted. It seems that the project was canceled.

After living in the house for two years, I had become used traversing the small cliffs in the sidewalk on the way to my front door. But in April of 2008 I came home to find the cliffs had been smoothed over with copious amounts of asphalt. They (Laydon?) also added an artistic touch of pink (see new photo) to highlight parts of the sidewalk that had actually been pushed above grade by the roots of the tree. It was an ugly job, but the "LAYDON" made me hopeful that maybe a real fix was coming. The next day there was a card in my mailbox from the city (DPW, I think) apologizing, in advance, for the inconvenience that the impending sidewalk repair work in front of my house would cause. I was told to expect a disruption in on-street parking and driveway access for at least a few days.

I was hopeful, and I waited for the Laydon crew to come. But as you all know, they never did. The asphalt, pink spray paint, and (perhaps worst of all) the large "LAYDON" letters ultimately became somewhat of a daily reminder of the false hope I once had for a functional city - and I'm not just talking about sidewalks anymore. In that sense, I'm glad that the paint is fading. It makes it easier to sometimes just not think about it, and live on in the ignorant, passive, bliss (or disillusion?) that keeps our city hall running.

I'll admit, I'm very frustrated and I'm ranting. I really do like living here, and I'm committed to being active in my community. But I'm getting tired of promises that are indefinitely delayed. New sidewalks? New trash bins/recycling program - in my neighborhood? Sewer separation? Green streets? Grocery store? Apple store? ANY stores? Boat House/Harbor development? Downtown Crossing? Zip Cars? Education reform? Mulit-purposed streets? City light rail?! Stop lights that make sense? Consistent and impartial parking enforcement? I won't hold my breath. But I will continue to attend meetings and no doubt add to the list of promises.

At least I can count on paying MORE taxes - but for what exactly?

"Maybe they are going to replace"?!

Under the circumstances I'm starting to expect the Gulf of Mexico to be oil-free before that sidewalk or any sidewalk on Pearl Street gets fixed.

That particular sidewalk pictured above is in front of my house. It doesn't really say "LAYDON" anymore because it has mostly weathered off in the YEARS since it was painted. It seems that the project was canceled.

After living in the house for two years, I had become used traversing the small cliffs in the sidewalk on the way to my front door. But in April of 2008 I came home to find the cliffs had been smoothed over with copious amounts of asphalt. They (Laydon?) also added an artistic touch of pink (see new photo) to highlight parts of the sidewalk that had actually been pushed above grade by the roots of the tree. It was an ugly job, but the "LAYDON" made me hopeful that maybe a real fix was coming. The next day there was a card in my mailbox from the city (DPW, I think) apologizing, in advance, for the inconvenience that the impending sidewalk repair work in front of my house would cause. I was told to expect a disruption in on-street parking and driveway access for at least a few days.

I was hopeful, and I waited for the Laydon crew to come. But as you all know, they never did. The asphalt, pink spray paint, and (perhaps worst of all) the large "LAYDON" letters ultimately became somewhat of a daily reminder of the false hope I once had for a functional city - and I'm not just talking about sidewalks anymore. In that sense, I'm glad that the paint is fading. It makes it easier to sometimes just not think about it, and live on in the ignorant, passive, bliss (or disillusion?) that keeps our city hall running.

I'll admit, I'm very frustrated and I'm ranting. I really do like living here, and I'm committed to being active in my community. But I'm getting tired of promises that are indefinitely delayed. New sidewalks? New trash bins/recycling program - in my neighborhood? Sewer separation? Green streets? Grocery store? Apple store? ANY stores? Boat House/Harbor development? Downtown Crossing? Zip Cars? Education reform? Mulit-purposed streets? City light rail?! Stop lights that make sense? Consistent and impartial parking enforcement? I won't hold my breath. But I will continue to attend meetings and no doubt add to the list of promises.

At least I can count on paying MORE taxes - but for what exactly?