DOVER, Del.- Stubborn tree roots have turned the sidewalks on Bradford Street into a puzzle of un-even pieces, and fixing the sidewalks has been an uphill battle for the city.
Now, a new plan is being proposed by Dover's Department of Water and Wastewater, but it's not going to be cheap.
"It is definitely a tripping hazard," said Carol Eckenbrecht who works near Bradford Street. "I have tripped on [the sidewalk] before myself."
City officials say the issue needs to be addressed in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). However, previous attempts to repave the sidewalks faced staunch opposition from community members who were determined to protect the trees.
"They have asked about this being fixed a while but they wanted to cut the trees down," explained Andrea Turner who lives on Bradford Street. "We don't want that, I moved here for the nature."
The new plan would use something called Flexi-Pave. It would keep all of the trees and level the sidewalks. Although it would cost $1.2 million, about $400,000 more than the original plan.
Turner said she wouldn't be opposed to paying higher taxes if it meant a fix for the sidewalks. Others, like Ania Bartholomew, agreed it would be a valuable investment.
"I think it would be worth the money if the city budgets and plans it out properly so everyone is happy," she said.
Eckenbrecht, on the other hand, is concerned about the source of the additional $400,000. "I guess it depends on what they are taking the money away from," she noted.
Dover City Council will hear a proposal on the new sidewalk plan Tuesday night. City officials said community members can expect informational sessions going forward.
