By Debra Messick

CAMBRIDGE - During its April 22 meeting, Cambridge City Council approved the selection of Shore Construction LLC, the lowest of four bidders, for contracting work repairing the city’s sidewalks in need of repair.

The work is to be done through the Sidewalk Improvement Program, the “brainchild” of City Manager Tom Carroll, according to Public Works Director Wayne Suggs.

The program is being developed as part of the Comprehensive Housing Strategy.

Currently funded at $200,000 for FT ‘24, the program will aim to identify and repair residential sidewalks not meeting city code requirements.

This first year is operating on a voluntary, first come, first serve basis until funding is spent, for those meeting specified qualifications:

● Be a property owner within Cambridge City Limits
● Have sidewalk not meeting City Code
● Be current on property taxes
● Have no outstanding code enforcement actions against the property outside of sidewalks

Under the program, the city will hire and pay a qualified contractor to make necessary repairs at the request of eligible property owners, Suggs said.

“It’s set up as a revolving fund; anyone who qualifies can ask the city to come, check out, and put together pricing based on the work needing to be done,” Suggs said.

While the city would outlay the money, the amount would be paid back over a period of five years. By the fifth year, it's estimated that the program will then be fully funded by payback through property taxes.

The Shore Builders bid came in at $188,000. The second lowest bid of four was from Camper and Sons at $200,560.

Commission President Lajan Cephas noted that both low bids were extremely close, and that Camper and Sons is a local, Black-owned business. She asked if the two low bidders could be approved for a collaborative effort.

Carroll responded that it was a great question, as supporting local, Black-owned business is important. He pointed out that Camper and Sons has previously been awarded city work in the $150,000 range. He added that they would have another opportunity to bid again when the job is reposted in July.

Mayor Steven Rideout, who has experienced flooding issues impacting his sidewalk, asked if the program might be available to property owners without code violations who needed repair work done who didn't know who to hire and could repay the city for the work done.

Carroll explained that the program’s $200,000 starting fund was set up primarily to address issues of accessibility, not for what he called “cosmetic” problems.

“We’re trying to address issues of tree roots, heaving of sidewalks, broken concrete, and other known violations,” he said, adding, “this year’s program is voluntary; in future years it's my vision to go into neighborhoods and mark the sidewalks needing to be replaced.”

A memorandum from Program Specialist Gavin Woolford and Suggs mentioned additional fiscal, equity and environmental community benefits.

Increased property values were one fiscal benefit flowing from pedestrian infrastructure improvement, the memorandum stated.

Increased mobility for those with disabilities and those without vehicles represents substantial community benefits.

Improved sidewalk accessibility may also promote increased environmental benefits through decreasing one’s carbon footprint by encouraging more walking instead of driving, as well as a healthier lifestyle.

For information and applications, call 410-228-1955 or email wsuggs@choosecambridge.com.