Mayor James J. Fiorentini poses near a broken sidewalk. (Courtesy photograph.)
Haverhill sidewalk in disrepair.
Haverhill Mayor James J. Fiorentini said he wants to spend $1.2 million to repair and replace damaged and aging sidewalks in the city.
Fiorentini said last week, an assessment of Haverhill’s sidewalks—many dating back to the 1930s—shows they need approximately $12 million in repairs. The city typically allocates about $200,000 a year for sidewalk repairs.
“This would put a dent in the millions of dollars that are needed to repair our broken sidewalks. Sidewalk repairs are the number one request we get in the mayor’s office…This will be, by far, the largest amount ever spent by the city to repair or replace sidewalks,” the mayor said.
First on the city’s priority list will be sidewalks children use to walk to school, he said.
Many city sidewalks were constructed by the federal Works Progress Administration (WPA)—a jobs program under President Franklin D. Roosevelt–during the 1930’s. “They lasted for decades, but now for many of them, their time is up,” said Fiorentini. The mayor noted he pledged to make Haverhill a “walkable city” during his inaugural address in January.
Last summer, the city worked with the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC) to hire interns to assess sidewalks.
“We cannot do it all, and we certainly cannot do it all at once” said Fiorentini.
Every new development, cul-de-sac etc should be required to have sidewalks and granite curbing. So many have not or had asphalt curbing that lasts till the first winter.
I hope North Broadway is included in the sidewalk project,the sidewalk is very dangerous . Not only is it the walkway to the High School, but the Track and other teams run on the sidewalk almost everyday . I can only hope none of those athletes get injured.
Fred, if there are potential votes there for the Mayor then you can count on it being fixed. If there is a hint of support for anybody else, faahhgetta bout it.