"EXT" wrote in message
anews.com...
HeyBub wrote:
In order to get a permit from the city to do some remodeling (upgrade
the kitchen, paint the exterior, etc.), he has to fork over
$15,000(!) to have an asphalt sidewalk installed on his 60' frontage.

His would be the only residence in the area with a sidewalk.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...dewalk24m.html

What kind of asphalt are they going to use, one with gold nuggets instead
of
gravel aggregate? That works out to $83.33 per square foot. If it was me,
I
would argue that the charges are out of line and demand that competitive
bids be taken for that job. Also the sidewalk should not be built until
after construction is completed as heavy vehicles could damage the
priceless
artifact requiring replacement.

It's all of the things required by the city that go with the sidewalk, like
hiring an engineer, closing the street while under construction, putting in
a landscaped buffer strip between the sidewalk and street and a curb on the
street, etc.

Tom G.