Knowledge Base

Sidewalk Repair and Replacement Project to Begin

June 12, 2025 – ROCHESTER, MINN – Construction to repair or replace defective sidewalks and pedestrian ramps in Sidewalk Improvement District (SID) 1 – NW is underway. While some sidewalk cutting occurred earlier this spring in preparation for the project, contractors are now ramping up activity throughout the project area.

As part of the 2025 project, a total of 111 pedestrian ramps in District 1 – NW will be installed or replaced to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA). The project will also include replacement of nearly 20,000 linear feet of defective sidewalk and approximately 5,000 grinds of uneven seams.

Work will occur through October, with individual sidewalk panels and pedestrian ramps impacted for 2-5 days in total. Impacts include:

• Pedestrians will need to self-detour around construction areas if there is no established detour.
• Residents with replaced panels located in their driveway will need to park in the street until the concrete has cured (typically less than 5 days). Crews will notify impacted residents in advance.
• Boulevard areas disturbed during construction will be restored with dirt/grass seed. Residents are asked to water the area, if able, to help establish the new grass.

The sidewalks being repaired/replaced in District 1 – NW were identified through routine inspections as part of the Sidewalk Improvement District (SID) program. The total cost for the 2025 project is $2,766,483, with funding coming from the SID program, stormwater utility funds and the Annual ADA Transition Tax Levy. Official rates for District 1 - NW are available online.

The City of Rochester adopted the SID program at the City Council meeting in November 2022. Adoption of the program reassigned the cost of sidewalk repairs and replacement from the adjacent property owner to a distribution among a greater portion of the community, as sidewalks are a benefit to and are available for use by all. In 2020, under the previous program, property owners paid an average of $854 for sidewalk repairs and it was not uncommon for properties to incur fees ranging from $3,000 to $5,000. The average anticipated residential rate under the new program is $57 annually.

More information can be found at rochestermn.gov/sidewalks.