Eliminate the 50-50 Sidewalk Program

St. Louis needs to eliminate the outdated 50/50 sidewalk program and create a comprehensive, citywide plan to repair hazardous sidewalks, rebuild deficient ones, and construct sidewalks where they’re missing.

The 50/50 sidewalk program is inequitable and ineffective:

• Neglected neighborhoods: Landlords rarely invest in repairs, and vacant properties often have no one to hold accountable. Even city-owned lots through the LRA have been ignored for decades.
• Transportation inequities: The worst sidewalks overlap with areas of lowest car ownership, forcing people into the street and creating serious safety hazards. At least one pedestrian in the city died this year because there was no safe sidewalk.
• Legal liability: The ADA requires accessible sidewalks. St. Louis’ own ADA transition plan calls for more repairs than the current system allows. Every dangerous sidewalk reported to the city is potential notice of liability when injuries occur.

Other cities like Kansas City and Denver have already recognized this inequity and shifted to citywide sidewalk responsibility. St. Louis can do the same. With our top geospatial talent and the community mapping work of Project Sidewalk, we can identify the highest-need areas and prioritize investments based on equity, Safe Routes to Schools, transit access, and job connections.

Sidewalks are basic infrastructure just like streets. They are essential to walkable neighborhoods, a complete transportation system, and the City’s Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic deaths. Safe, accessible sidewalks are a right, not a privilege. It’s time St. Louis took responsibility for them.