MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Cooper-Young Community Association is working to make repairing sidewalks more affordable for homeowners through a new Sidewalk Replacement Program.
Recent and longtime Cooper-Young residents said damaged sidewalks are a common sight in their Midtown Memphis neighborhood. Some sidewalks are so badly cracked, people complain they're basically unwalkable. But the cost to fix them is solely on the homeowner.
The Cooper-Young Community Association secured $8,250 from the city. The Community Association’s executive director, Amanda Yarbro-Dill said that will be used pay 50% of the total cost of repairs for homeowners.
"I know people who have tripped over broken, uneven sidewalks and gotten injuries. And so, we want to try to help people get their sidewalks repaired more affordably,” said Yarbro-Dill.
She was inspired by the Vollintine Evergreen Community Association, who did a similar sidewalk repair program.
"They had kind of gone through this process. so, I applied for a community grant from city council and put my little proposal together,” said Yarbro-Dill.
Interested homeowners will be selected on a first come, first serve basis. Once all of them pay their half, the Community Association will call contractors to replace all those sidewalks at once.
Tim Wheat has lived in Cooper-Young for ten years. He believes the city should bear some of the responsibility for fixing sidewalks. He said this program is a step in the right direction.
"There should be some kind of cooperative effort. I think that's good. I think that's great for our neighborhood,” said Wheat.
The Cooper-Young Community Association said about a half-mile's worth of sidewalk will be repaired.
The non-profit plans to apply for the grant annually to keep improving the community.
Funds have been allocated for 2024, but next year, Memphis non-profits that have been registered for at least two years can apply for the City Council Community Grant Program. The funds must be used to target crime and drug intervention, youth empowerment, economic development or poverty.
More details on the Memphis City Council Community Grant Program can be found here.
Click here to apply for the Cooper-Young Sidewalk Replacement Program.