7 On Your Side Helps Brooklyn Family Get Sidewalk Repaired After Tree Damage

Sidewalk Repair Mandate in NYC

• 🔑 New York City property owners are responsible for maintaining sidewalks in front of their homes, including repairs for cracks, uneven slabs, and damage caused by tree roots.
• 💡 Homeowners are required to maintain the area between the curb and their house, including any adjacent grass or sidewalk.

Case of the Uprooted Sidewalk

• 🌳 A Brooklyn grandmother in Williamsburg waited over six years for a sidewalk damaged by a city tree to be repaired.
• 🏠 The tree's roots caused the sidewalk to heave upwards by over half a foot, leading to flooding and damage to her home's basement kitchen.
• ⚠️ The damaged sidewalk was deemed an unacceptable trip and fall hazard, leading to a threat of homeowner's insurance policy cancellation.

City's Trees and Sidewalk Repair Program

• 🗓️ The family was informed in 2019 that the sidewalk was eligible for repair at no cost through the city's Trees and Sidewalk Program.
• ⏳ Despite multiple repair promises from 311 complaints over several years (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024), the repair was not completed until the family contacted "7 On Your Side."
• ✅ After intervention from "7 On Your Side," the city repaired the sidewalk, resolving the long-standing issue.

City's Explanation and Homeowner Advice

• 🌦️ The city cited weather as a reason for delays, stating they must wait for snow and ice to clear.
• 📍 The city's responsibility for repairs is limited to specific circumstances, such as owner-occupied residences, properties adjacent to city property (like schools or parks), or when the city itself creates the problem (like planting a problematic tree).
• 📝 Homeowners are advised to call 311, keep detailed records, and be aware of the option to repair the sidewalk themselves and seek reimbursement, though this process can be complex.

Impact of the Repair

• 🙏 The repaired sidewalk allows Nona and her neighbors to walk safely without fear of falling.
• 🏡 The repair also means her downstairs kitchen is no longer suffering from flooding, allowing her to continue cooking for her family.