Historic Preservation
Initiatives

Over the years property owners have worked hard to maintain the neighborhood’s historic character.

Sidewalk Improvement Program

Since 2015, the Old North End Neighborhood has supported the repair or replacement of 58 sidewalks.

Well-maintained sidewalks contribute to the safety and beauty of the Old North End as well as improve the overall walkability of the neighborhood.

The Sidewalk Improvement Program began in 2010 with three areas of focus: safety, infrastructure improvement, and improved ‘walkability’ of the neighborhood. The sidewalks had long been showing signs of age and deterioration, and a number of injuries related to broken or displaced sidewalks had been reported. Since the city waiting list for repairs was over a decade long, the neighborhood took matters into its own hands which resulted in the Sidewalk Improvement Program.

ONEN partnered with longtime ONEN sponsor Groninger Concrete to make concrete replacement affordable for homeowners. Groninger Concrete is a family-owned local business with deep ties to our neighborhood and our City, and they have been an invaluable partner in this program. 

  1. Qualifying sidewalks must lie within the geographical boundaries of the Old North End Neighborhood, as defined by this map: Old North End Map
  2. Nominate your problem sidewalk for repair/replacement by sending an email to sidewalks@oldnorthend.org. Be sure to include the specific address and provide your contact information (email address and phone number).  
  3. The ONEN program determines top priority sidewalks using the Pikes Peak Regional Transportation Authority (PPRTA) industry-standard rating system. Improving safety is the primary consideration.
  4. If your sidewalk makes the repair list, you must agree to pay 50% of the estimated cost of the repair when the work is completed.
  5. ONEN will pay 50% of the cost to replace the concrete, up to a maximum of 50 feet of sidewalk (a continuous length or segments that total 50 feet, as determined by ONEN). The sidewalk must be located in front of the residence and parallel to the street. If there is no sidewalk now, a length of sidewalk up to 50 feet can be installed. The cost of the City permit and any additional costs associated with tree root removal are the responsibility of the property owner.
  6. If your request meets the guidelines and is determined to be a high priority, you will receive a detailed cost estimate and contract and instructions to facilitate scheduling and work completion. You are responsible for payment of your share of the agreed upon concrete repair cost as well as any additional work you and the contractor agree to separately.
  7. Groninger Concrete will obtain any City permits necessary to perform sidewalk replacement work.
  8. The inclusion of initials, handprints, footprints, names or dates is not allowed for ONEN-facilitated sidewalks. Groninger Concrete will imprint an ONEN stamp with the current year and place their company stamp on the new sidewalks.
  9. ONEN’s agreement with Groninger provides for the replacement work to be completed when their work season begins to slow down (late September into October). In some years, early and continuing cold temperatures have necessitated the concrete work to be pushed to the following year.
  10. Sidewalk shaving: Beginning in 2013, ONEN added the option of sidewalk shaving for areas where the panels are in good condition but a trip hazard exists. This work is done by Precision Concrete Cutting (safesidewalks.com). This method can sometimes be a more cost-effective alternative to replacing sidewalks, and ONEN will always consider this option prior to submitting a cost estimate to the resident.

City of Colorado Springs Concrete Maintenance Program

Property owners may report concrete in disrepair to the City by calling 385-5934. The issue may be added to the City’s concrete repair list or the owner may enter the City’s cost-sharing program which is available only for repairs which are rated “high severity.” (Click on the link that follows for text descriptions and photos of “high severity” cases.) Additional details regarding the City’s Program may be found on the Concrete Maintenance page of the City’s website.