Maybe you see my #PlowSidewalksToo hashtag and think, "Yeah, sure, sounds great but it would require a massive tax increase and expansion of the public payroll and no one is going to willingly sign on for that. Real shame, though." So: a thread. 🧵 #urbanism - ThreadSky

bettybarcode.bsky.social • 116 days ago

Maybe you see my #PlowSidewalksToo hashtag and think, "Yeah, sure, sounds great but it would require a massive tax increase and expansion of the public payroll and no one is going to willingly sign on for that. Real shame, though."

So: a thread. 🧵

#urbanism

Comments

kshannon617.bsky.social•83 days ago

📌

kategrayowl.bsky.social•69 days ago

Standard practice here in Ontario.

tresagrammy.bsky.social•114 days ago

My small town plows sidewalks

But with all the complaints of tax increases

It may be 🛑

candispillard.bsky.social•89 days ago

#AccidentalSenryu

bettybarcode.bsky.social•116 days ago

Let's talk about #Rochester, NY (2023 pop. 207,274). Municipal sidewalk snow removal began there on 12 residential streets in 1905 and eventually expanded to the entire city, as per historian Blake McKelvey (p. 10).
https://www.libraryweb.org/~rochhist/v27_1965/v27i1.pdf

#PlowSidewalksToo

bettybarcode.bsky.social•116 days ago

As far as I know, Rochester is the largest US city to #PlowSidewalksToo. They do 878 miles of sidewalks. Rochesterians can count on their entire city being plowed, no matter where they go, instead of the patchwork effect of adjacent owner shoveling.
https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/des/sidewalk-snow-removal

ohtheurbanity.bsky.social•83 days ago

For Canadian examples, Montreal (population 1.8 million) plows its sidewalks, as does Ottawa (1.0 million).

https://bsky.app/profile/ohtheurbanity.bsky.social/post/3lf77zzaar22t

bettybarcode.bsky.social•83 days ago

[sighing with envy]

ohtheurbanity.bsky.social•83 days ago

I’ve realized how lucky we are and become kind of obsessed with this gap: https://bsky.app/profile/ohtheurbanity.bsky.social/post/3lfg4xidygs2f

m5a.bsky.social•82 days ago

While I applaud Rochester, NY for this initiative, I think a few details are being glossed over.

The city only shovels when it snows more than 4”. Out of ~30 days of snowfall, only ~7 had this much accumulation.

And even when the city shovels, property owners must clear remaining ice/snow.

m5a.bsky.social•82 days ago

Based on data published here: https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/New-York/Places/rochester-snowfall-totals-snow-accumulation-averages.php

m5a.bsky.social•82 days ago

And these bullets from the city website. “new snow” leaves some wiggle room.

- The City plows sidewalks when 4” of new snow has freshly fallen, dependent upon weather events and forecasts, and the condition of the sidewalks.
- The City plows all sidewalks that are at least five feet in width.

adrianmartin.bsky.social•81 days ago

Rochester hasn't plowed sidewalks this winter yet despite a couple 4" snow events. They haven't even plowed my street. Much worse than prior winters and I don't know why.

bettybarcode.bsky.social•116 days ago

It is paid for by an embellishment fee on property taxes, averaging out to under $40/year per address. This, my friends, is a BARGAIN. Would the neighbor kid clear your walk *all winter* for only $40? A private service?
#PlowSidewalksToo

https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/department-environmental-services/embellishment-fees-property-tax-bill?id=8589936477

bettybarcode.bsky.social•116 days ago

How does #Rochester do it without bankrupting the city or expanding its pension obligations to a crippling degree? They contract it out. Here is their 2022-2023 page for bidding on a route:
https://www.bidnetdirect.com/new-york/city-of-rochester/solicitations/SIDEWALK-SNOWPLOWING-2022-23-ROUND-2/0000296019

#PlowSidewalksToo

bettybarcode.bsky.social•116 days ago

OK, this is the BEST part. Most of those who bid on these routes are farmers who have idle plows in the winter and need income in the off-season. Bidders are required to provide their own equipment for sidewalk snow removal.
https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2016/03/01/rochester-snow-plow-farmers-sidewalks/81158560/

#PlowSidewalksToo

bettybarcode.bsky.social•116 days ago

So: win/win for farmers, Rochester residents, and Rochester taxpayers. Next time someone says "Haha, no, massive tax increase, checkmate, you stupid urbanist," show them this thread.
#PlowSidewalksToo

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