7 On Your Side Helps Williamsburg Homeowner Get Sidewalk Repaired After Tree Damage

Sidewalk Damage and Homeowner's Plight

• 🏠 Maria Samos and her son in Williamsburg faced years of flooding and rot in their basement kitchen due to a damaged sidewalk.
• ⚠️ The roots of a city tree had pushed the sidewalk up over half a foot, causing water to pool and flow back towards the house.
• 🎯 The concrete was not pitched correctly towards the street, exacerbating the drainage problem.

Repeated Promises and Delays

• 🗓️ As far back as 2019, the family was informed the sidewalk was eligible for repair through the city's Trees and Sidewalk Program, but no work was done.
• 🚨 A few years later, an insurance inspection deemed the sidewalk an unacceptable trip and fall hazard, threatening to drop the homeowner's policy.
• 📞 A complaint to 311 generated another repair promise the following year, which was also not fulfilled.

Intervention and Resolution

• 📺 After years of unfulfilled promises, the family contacted Nina Pineda and 7 On Your Side.
• 🤝 Upon reviewing the evidence, the city promised to fix the sidewalk as soon as the weather improved.
• ✅ True to their word, a year later, the sidewalk was repaired, allowing Nona and her neighbors to walk safely and restoring the functionality of her basement kitchen.