On Wednesday, August 23rd, crews working for the owner of 7815 NE Glisan Street removed the entire sidewalk in front of the 100-year-old building. Over the next few days, cement masons will reconstruct all 50 feet of the pedestrian zone, including a single curb cut providing access to the driveway along the property’s eastern edge.
Recently, Portland City officials identified possible trip hazards requiring repair on this section of sidewalk, and they notified the building’s owner that he would need to address those issues. Root growth from mature street trees planted in the landscape/furniture zone caused the sidewalk to lift and crack in some places, creating an uneven surface. City code requires landowners to maintain the sidewalk adjacent to a property, while city-contracted crews often perform corner reconstruction. The city does not require complete walkway replacement for most tree root damage, and many people in similar situations opt to repair just the damaged segment. However, the building’s owner, Chris Chase, chose to invest in the public space leading to his business. “We had the option to replace those damaged squares, but I decided that while we were ripping everything up, we might as well re-do the whole thing.” Chase bought the property in 2018 to house his business, Otter Wax, making several internal investments in the century-old building. The sidewalk and driveway ramp replacement will cost this business just under $13,000.
Sidewalk repair is an infrequent expense for Portland commercial and residential property owners. A concrete sidewalk can last approximately 80 years in the right conditions. However, street tree growth can shorten a walkway’s lifespan, especially when planted in smaller tree wells. Urban arborists believe the standard six-foot-long opening is insufficient for many street trees. Recent guidelines for curbside planting include expanding tree wells into the parking lane or removing concrete between tree cavities to create a long curbside planting strip. Both street tree planting methods provide more space for tree root growth, reducing the need for roots to grow below the cement structures.
Regardless of new design options, existing street tree owners and those with property along narrow roadways have fewer options. In those situations, people and businesses must budget for eventual sidewalk repairs. Building owners often cite repair costs as their reason for not planting street trees, and that perspective can contribute to a declining urban canopy. Only a limited number of people will need to fix a sidewalk during the time they own a property. However, if the work is required, it can be a financial burden with some challenging logistics. Chris Chase is happy with the contractor he chose for this project, Pearl Construction, and feels the process is manageable when dealing with the right people.
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