The City of Grand Rapids Sidewalk Division bids and manages sidewalk repair contracts which are funded through the Vital Streets Income Tax which was approved in 2014. If you have any other questions or concerns regarding the work on your sidewalks, please feel free to reach out to the City of Grand Rapids Sidewalk Division at Sidewalks@grcity.us or through 311.
Systematic Sidewalk FAQ
What to expect with the repair process.
The work will inspect and repair existing sidewalks and ramps as needed. When work impacts sidewalks next to driveways, residents may not have access to their driveways for 5-7 days while the work is completed and the concrete cures. The contractor will coordinate with those affected in advance.
Sidewalk work will disturb the parkway (the area between curb and sidewalk). The parkway will be restored with topsoil and grass seed, please water the area to help the grass establish.
Property owners should remove plants, landscaping, etc. they want to save prior to the start of construction. Residents who have a sprinkler system are asked to mark their sprinkler heads with flags, sticks, or spray paint. Sprinklers that are broken during construction will be repaired.
The City forester will be consulted when tree roots require pruning that may affect a tree’s health. The project may remove some trees, but this is rare.
The final decision for what is repaired ultimately is up to the inspector.
What do I do if my irrigation system is broken?
Property owners must reach out to the city contractor with any irrigation repair claims. Repairs made by private irrigation companies without authorization will not be reimbursed.
No parking will be allowed on the side of the street the contractor is working during construction hours. The contractor will place no parking signs by the road at least 24 hours in advance of construction and cars may be ticketed and/or towed.
Construction Hours and Duration
- Typical construction hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Occasionally, work may be done on Sunday. Work hours are dependent on the weather and the contractor’s schedule.
- For efficiency, contractors may remove concrete from multiple streets before pouring the sidewalk, which may result in longer construction periods than residents anticipate.
My sidewalk across my approach were removed and my car is stuck in the driveway.
They should contact the contractor directly. This will expedite a resolution much quicker than reaching out to sidewalks first.
Can I use my driveway after the concrete is poured?
Not for 5 to 7 days or as instructed by the contractor.
Can I put graffiti or my child’s name on the wet cement?
No. That is considered vandalism and the GRPD will be notified, and the sidewalk will need to be replaced.
What are the flags in my yard for?
The flags show where the underground utilities are located. Our contractors need to know where they are before they start working. The underground utilities are:
- Blue - Water
- Green - Sewer
- Yellow - Gas
- Red – Electric
- Orange - Telecommunications
The contractor has been awarded a contract to fix public sidewalks. It is at their discretion to work take on additional work, however any additional work would be a contractual agreement between the property owner and the contractor. Replacing your driveway approach will require a permit.
