This is pretty curious, though it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s legally mandated. You’d think they could just do a concrete version of the plastic no-slip pads.
http://www.cartype.com/pages/4254/chicago_sidewalk_and_budget_
<<The Chicago budget deficit issue has risen to such a confrontational level in this city that it has driven me to do another post on what I believe is contributing to the overall waste.
Mayor Richard M. Daley proposed that the City trim non-union personnel costs by $10 million, but the ongoing waste in this city continues, like the crosswalks, speed-bumps, and this sidewalk example explains.
Now I know this is basically all about cars, but I just had to bring this up since sidewalks are somewhat related to “streets”.
Just to be clear, I am not opposed to improvements, in fact, I think this city is one of the most beautiful ones in the nation, and I believe it is because of all of the great new places and services the city has put in place.
My issue with this particular sidewalk project is two-fold. First, something has to go. It is just the nature of “tough times”, and when you have the city contemplating laying off workers to save money, then I think a sidewalk can wait. It’s not even that the sidewalks were damaged, or needed repairs, they are simply putting what is supposed to be a non-slip corner.>>
– Whet Moser
Web Editor
Chicago Reader
blogs.chicagoreader.com/chicagoland
wmoser@chicagoreader.com
312-828-0350 x336