Approved in 2024, the ADA Right-of-Way (ROW) Transition Plan establishes a systematic approach and sets forth priorities for the City of Lawrence to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the public right-of-way over the next 20 years. The implementation of this plan will be carried out through the ADA ROW Transition Program.
Program
The Program will oversee and facilitate the construction of improvements outlined in the Plan, which includes sidewalks, shared-use paths, and curb ramps within the public right-of-way, ensuring accessibility for individuals of all ages and abilities throughout the city.
This program will support the City of Lawrence in complying with accessibility standards as required by federal laws, state statutes, and city regulations. Furthermore, it aligns with the objectives of the Strategic Plan for a Connected City, highlighting our commitment to equity and inclusion within the community.
Sidewalk Repairs within the City of Lawrence that are otherwise be accessible will be managed through the Program. When sidewalk complaints are received, they will be inspected, repaired and funded in coordination with other improvements of the plan.
How the ADA Transition Program Works
Over the next 20 years, the City will systemically assess sidewalk conditions, review pedestrian demand, and identify areas with transportation-disadvantaged populations to determine pedestrian routes of greatest need. This data driven process is utilized to identify the annual list of priority sidewalks to be reconstructed. The list will be made available on the website, and letters sent to the adjacent property owners. Those identified sidewalks will then be inspected by the city and hazards marked where repairs are needed.
Given that property owners are financially responsible for the upkeep of their adjacent sidewalk, the City has committed to cost-partnering with property owners to complete sidewalk repairs necessary to bring sidewalks up to ADA standards. Cost-partnering will offer significant cost and time savings to property owners. To be eligible, property owners will have to use the City Contractor, or they may compete the repair at their own cost.
Typical Timeline –
- Prioritized Routes Identified
- City staff uses a data-driven process to determine which routes should be prioritized for reconstruction.
- 1st Letter: Initial Notification
- Property owners along prioritized route will receive an initial letter.
- City Inspection of Sidewalk Corridor
- City staff will inspect the sidewalk corridor and mark hazards. A white marking indicates hazards caused by City-owned infrastructure (street trees, utilities, etc.). A pink marking indicates hazards that are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to repair.
- 2nd Letter: Summary and Repair Options
- Property owners will receive a letter with information about the marked hazards and their options for repair and material choices (if applicable).
- Request for Contractor Bids
- The City releases a request for contractors to submit “bids” for the project. The project scope and scale will be determined by the number of property owners utilizing city-contractors.
- 3rd Letter: Contractor Selected
- With a contractor selected the property owner will receive a letter with their estimated share for the cost of construction and the anticipated project schedule.
- Construction
- The City’s contractor reconstructs or repairs the sidewalk.
- 4th Letter: Invoice and Payment
- Invoices will be sent to property owners with a deadline for payment. Property owners will have 90-days to pay the invoice, then any unpaid amount will be accessed on future property taxes.
Additional Program Details
Financial Responsibility
When property owners utilize city-contractors, the City will cover costs relating to:
- Demolition and Removal
- Excavation, grading, retaining walls, traffic control, design
- Hazards caused by city-owned underground or above-ground infrastructure
- ADA Curb Ramps
- Ensuring sidewalk meets accessibility standards (slopes and width)
- Restoration of disturbed areas
- Managing the project (permitting, utility coordination and contractor oversight).
- One-year warranty on repair work.
Property owners are only responsible for the material costs to repair their identified hazards (marked with pink) when utilizing city-contractors. Should the property owner be within the Brick Sidewalk Permissive Area, they may choose to use brick as their sidewalk material, however any additional cost associated with this choice will be the responsibility of the property owner.
Financial Assistance is available for qualifying property owners who utilize the city’s contractor and submit the appropriate assistance documents.
Repair Options
Utilizing City Contractor vs. Self-Repair
The City understands the difficulty that comes with performing sidewalk repairs to meet ADA standards. Through the ADA Transition Plan, the City has developed a cost-partnering program available to property owners utilizing city-contractors for sidewalk repairs and reconstruction. Benefits of cost-partnering with the City include competitive pricing, excavation, grading, ADA curb ramps, design, traffic control, and any hazards related to city-owned property (including street trees) are covered costs by the City. Property owners may also choose to perform self-repairs, however they are not entitled to the same cost-partnering available to those utilizing city-contractors.
| Repair Options |
City-Contractor*
The City covers costs for things like excavation, grading, curb ramps, design, traffic control, ADA compliance, and any hazards related to city-owned property (including street trees). Property owners only pay for pink marked hazards. Should no response be received within 60-days of notification, city-contractors will reconstruct and/or repair the sidewalk hazards utilizing concrete. You will receive an invoice once construction has completed. |
| Self-Repair
The property owner is responsible for permits, design & construction, and assuring city code is met as well as cost of sidewalk repairs. Property owners may opt-out of utilizing city-contractors by contacting city staff within 60 days of the 2nd letter and attending a pre-construction meeting. Repairs can be completed by the property owner or a private contractor and construction must meet city code. |
*Preferred / Default Option
Those who wish to complete the work themselves or hire their own contractor must ensure the work meets City standards and specifications and Code requirements, and acquire the appropriate permits. They must also coordinate with City staff for inspection following the completion of the repairs. Should the repairs not pass inspection, the property owner would be required to do further maintenance until the sidewalk meets specifications. These repairs are not eligible for program benefits, including contractor pricing, financial assistance, warranty or extended payback period through property taxes.
What is a Sidewalk Hazard?
Hazards fall into one of seven categories:
- Vertical Separation- Part (or all) of one piece of sidewalk that is one-half inch or higher than the piece next to it.
- Horizontal Separation– A gap or opening of one-half inch or greater between concrete panels or bricks, or between a cracked concrete panel.
- Deterioration– Spalling, scaling, cracking or delamination of sidewalk causing deterioration that may catch the foot.
- Peaking and/or Dipping– Area in the sidewalk where adjacent concrete panels peak or dip more than three inches in relation to the established sidewalk grade.
- Vegetative Obstruction– Overgrown trees (including tree roots), plants, shrubs, grass or any other vegetation that hinders or prevents the use of the sidewalk. If it is determined that a street tree root (or any other City infrastructure) is the cause of the hazard, the city will be responsible for repairing the hazard.
- Loose & Depressed Bricks– Sidewalks that have broken, missing, loose, raised or depressed bricks will be marked as a hazard for repair.
- Non-Level Brick Cross Slope– Sidewalks made of brick that are not level from side-to-side will be marked as a hazard for repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Utilizing City-contractors allows for favorable pricing due to economies of scale. Past pricing per square foot of concrete has been:
Past prices are not an indication of future prices and are provided for informational purposes only.
Yes. For excavation work, it is required that you call for utility line locates by calling 811 “Call Before You Dig.” Locates are free and will reduce the possibility of you or your contractor damaging utilities in the area.
Maybe. You may be able to work with the contractor on your own to negotiate additional work. The City will not participate in any negotiations.
Yes. The goal of this program is to have the sidewalk hazard removed. You should note that any repair must meet the City’s standards and specifications as well as be ADA compliant. For more information about this, you can contact the Municipal Services & Operations Department at
785-832-7800. It is recommended that only individuals skilled and experienced in this work perform repairs.
Yes. You can mix your own concrete, provided the mix is approved by the City and inspected prior to installation.
Yes. However, it is recommended that you hire a professional to perform this repair method. For more information about this, you can contact the Municipal Services & Operations Department at 785-832-7800.
No. City Code 16-102 prohibits the removal of sidewalks.
Generally, no. In most cases, this is not an acceptable method of repair and does not last very long. Some very small holes in the sidewalk can be patched. If you’re considering this option, you should contact and confirm with the City before you make any repairs. For more information about this, you can contact the Municipal Services & Operations Department at 785-832-7800.
No. All work done to repair your sidewalk must be done with concrete that meets the City of Lawrence specifications. This does not apply if you make the repairs by grinding, sawing, or mud jacking.
If you have an existing brick sidewalk, you may. You will need a ROW permit & to follow the standards for installation and design within the Brick Streets and Sidewalks Policy Section 6. Additional information can be found on the Brick Infrastructure website, www.lawrenceks.org/mso/brick
Yes. You can find a photo of identified sidewalk hazards on the interactive Hazard Map. To view a photo of a specific hazard, click on the dot that marks the associated hazard. Once clicked, a small pop-up will open on the map. You can scroll on that pop-up window to the section labeled “Attachments” and a hyperlink should be attached below with a photo of the hazard
The City’s contractor will conduct complete removal and replacement of all identified hazardous sidewalk panels. As well as ensure ADA accessibility standards are met throughout the entire sidewalk corridor.
Yes, there are two types of financial assistance available:
- Income-Based Assistance – The City will fund 100% of the repair costs for residential, owner-occupied properties that meet the income threshold of less than 80% of the area Median Family Income based on the United States Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. Submission of a complete application is required to be considered for this assistance.
- Cost-Sharing Grants – For residential, owner-occupied properties with sidewalks adjacent to multiple edges of the property (i.e., corner lot). Property owners that qualify for this program receive partial financial assistance with the repairs.
View the Financial Assistance section above for more information and application forms.
In some cases, the sidewalk on your neighbor’s property may have been identified as a hazard caused by City infrastructure (manholes, water valves, fiber optic handholes, street tree roots, storm inlets, etc.) and is the City’s responsibility to repair. In other cases, your neighbor may have applied for and been granted financial assistance.
No. ADA ramps will be maintained and repaired by the city.
City standards and specifications can be found on the Municipal Services & Operations Technical Resources page.
Flags and other paint markings usually are a sign of utility locates that have been completed. You should not remove the flags as they are used by contractors as to not hit other utilities in the area while working. If you have questions, you should contact the Municipal Services & Operations Department at 785-832-7800.
Pink paint markings indicate a sidewalk hazard that is the responsibility of the property owner to repair. White paint markings indicate a sidewalk hazard that is the responsibility of the City to repair.
If you disagree with the findings of the inspection report, you can appeal the decision by filling out an Appeal Form. A decision will be made by the appeals officer within 21 days of the form’s submission.
If you think there are sidewalks in the area that were not marked, you should contact the City at 785-832-7800. City staff will evaluate the location and make a determination if the sidewalk is hazardous. If the sidewalk is determined to be hazardous the adjacent property owner will be notified.
The City’s contractor will attempt to perform all repair work without damaging irrigation or landscaping. Some impacts to adjacent irrigation or landscaping may occur. If the necessary repairs are located within the City’s right-of-way, it is the responsibility of the property owner to move or relocate any irrigation or landscaping. Damage to irrigation or landscaping within the City’s right-of-way will not be paid for or repaired by the City.
This is a program required to meet our Federal and State requirements to provide sidewalks in safe and accessible condition for all community members. This multi-year program also aligns with the City’s Strategic Plan for a Connected City with a Commitment to Equity and Inclusion.
You can contact the City’s Municipal Services & Operations Department at 785-832-7800, or you can view specific program information on this web page.
Under K.S.A. 12-1801 and Chapter 16, Article 105 of the City of Lawrence Code, property owners are responsible for the maintenance and repairs of sidewalks adjacent to their properties.
You received a sidewalk hazard notice because a sidewalk hazard was identified by City inspection staff on your property following the definition of a sidewalk hazard as indicated by City Policy No. 117.
As part of this program, the City is inspecting and making repairs to any identified sidewalk hazards on City property.
The City’s contractor will attempt to notify all impacted property owners prior to work.
If a portion of the sidewalk repair includes the sidewalk that runs through your driveway, you will not be allowed to drive on the fresh concrete for a minimum of seven days.
Yes, our contractor is required to restore your yard, which includes backfilling, grading and seeding.
