Morgantown allocates funds for sidewalk program
February 22, 2010 ·
City officials in Morgantown have decided to fund a sidewalk program designed to make the city more pedestrian-friendly.
But they are doing it a bit differently than originally intended.
The Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board proposed all property owners within city limits pay an annual fee of $1 per linear foot of sidewalk that fronts their property.
The money generated would help pay for lighting, sidewalk, and crosswalk improvements.
But after a public forum where residents raised concerns about the fee, the city decided to put $200,000 in the upcoming year’s budget toward the program instead.
Dan Boroff is the city manager in Morgantown.
“Given the layout of the neighborhoods and the WVU student body, there’s a real need for a network of sidewalks,” he said.
“There was some opposition to a new service fee. So given that public input, I have recommended a more modest program that will take a longer period of time, but ultimately could accomplish the same goal.”
The money is coming from construction taxes in Morgantown.
Boroff says the hope is neighborhoods will be interested in providing matching funds.
“Most likely, this program will be on a 50-50 basis. For property owners interested in new sidewalks, the city could pay 50 percent of the costs,” he said.
“Generally, most properties could realize an economic gain, just in the value of their property, right away.”
Eventually, Boroff hopes the city can set aside $200,000 annually to improve sidewalks, lighting, and crosswalks around the city.
The Morgantown City Council will vote on the proposed budget in March.