SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Frustrated Bay Park neighbors are calling on city leaders to fix crumbling sidewalks they say are forcing pedestrians into the street.
“I’m sure people are going to be at risk for a hit-and-run or falling and hurting themselves,” said local resident Gary Clark.
His fight for sidewalk repairs behind his home goes back to 2012 when he moved in. Clark’s back yard is parallel to Morena Blvd. which has a bike lane on the western side and a sidewalk on the eastern side. A stretch of the sidewalk, the length of about five football fields, is falling apart.
“We are at the mercy of the city to walk in the street because as we get farther down the gravel breaks up. It becomes very uneven,” said local resident Stephanie Hubner.
She said she’s seen the sidewalk conditions worsen over time.
“I tripped and I fell. I almost took the stroller down with me. I didn’t. Everyone was safe. I never walked here again. That was 15 years ago,” Hubner said.
Both neighbors said they’ve shared their concerns with the city.
“I’ve got documentation here where they’ve gone to the department of transportation and say yes there’s a problem,” Clark said.
Their calls for action are fueled by the deadly hit-and-run of a 71-year-old woman on Sept. 5. Clark said it happened right behind his backyard, and his wife heard it.
“She heard a big thump. The whole street was cordoned off, and her clothes were strewn everywhere,” he said.
Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, whose district includes the area, was unavailable for an interview, but a spokesperson for her office sent FOX 5/KUSI the following statement:
“Residents have shared their concerns with Councilmember Campbell and our staff about this intersection. Our staff has visited the area with the Deputy Director of the Transportation Department to drive through and show them the locations where residents have requested sidewalk repairs. Repairs have been identified but are currently on the list of projects in need of funding.”
The spokesperson for Campbell’s office was unable to provide details on what repairs have been approved or how much it would cost before this report.
Meanwhile, some neighbors said if it means keeping people safe, a fix is a top priority for them.
“We watched an entire trolley line get installed and a bike lane get installed, but there’s no safe passage for pedestrians. Maybe a lawsuit would be cheaper for them. I don’t know what it’s going to take for them to take action,” Hubner said.
FOX 5/KUSI reached out to the city with questions Tuesday morning, and a spokesperson wasn’t able to provide the information we requested in time for this report but said they are working to get answers.
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