The case of the vanishing sidewalk signs

| Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

The photo and report – more of a request, really – are from Hillary:

My wheelchair-bound mother and I have had to keep our sidewalk at 24th Avenue SW and SW Holden closed until we can get a retaining wall replaced. Our retaining wall failed due to rain and contractor error in February. The city insists we keep the sidewalk closed and pay to do so. We have had to put up sidewalk-closed signs at our own expense. They have been repeatedly stolen and vandalized. It has happened again this week. Both signs, which cost us $152, were stolen. We get the wall replaced in September. We have spent several thousand dollars to keep the sidewalk closed already. We can’t keep replacing signs. Could you please appeal to the community on our behalf? We just want our signs back. No questions asked.

Sam August 29, 2017 (1:15 pm)

WTF? If you’re so bored with yourself that you feel the itch to steal signs, do society a favor and volunteer your time. Doesn’t matter if you’re a kid or an adult, volunteers are welcome for various projects or programs.

waikikigirl August 29, 2017 (1:44 pm)

Hillary, If it is “OK” with the City maybe get a few stakes and drive them into the grassy area and also get that yellow caution tape and tape off the sidewalk area that you do not want people walking on, it looks like ivy on your wall so I’m sure the tape could be tied to it. ??? a lot cheaper than those sidewalk signs.

Coldheart Craig August 29, 2017 (2:57 pm)

Have you considered that the city retrieved the signs believing them to be city property? It’s possible something a lot less malicious is happening.

KM August 29, 2017 (5:30 pm)

Wouldn’t the city have some sort of work order process/tracking system for areas that are closed off for repair? I have a hard time believing they don’t, and they are involved with the homeowner in this project.

Mark August 29, 2017 (3:17 pm)

I would also add an explanation to why the sidewalk is closed to the signs. To a casual observer they see a perfectly usable sidewalk available.

newnative August 29, 2017 (4:23 pm)

I agree. Having these signs for an indefinite amount of time where there is no visible construction going on may look odd. I wouldn’t take a sign but I might pick it up and toss it aside. I have seen my blind neighbors trip and fall over stuff like this. Is there any plan to actually fix the wall?
- WSB August 29, 2017 (4:35 pm)
  
  It is noted in Hillary’s story that the replacement is planned in September.

Sara August 29, 2017 (4:27 pm)

So sorry for the wall failure and personal costs to keep sidewalk closed. Hope your signs are returned.

Mikekey August 29, 2017 (4:50 pm)

The city forced you to close the sidewalk until you can repair the wall, why can’t they put up signs?

Rick August 29, 2017 (6:28 pm)

Because they can.

dsa August 29, 2017 (5:11 pm)

This is one reason why contractors put their names on their signs.

Vital August 29, 2017 (6:18 pm)

There has been a street sign laying on the side of the road for a while now on the east side of California and Spokane. It’s right next to a tree in front of the newish work-space townhomes.

If you grabbed it and used it you would be doing us a favor.

Mike August 29, 2017 (11:35 pm)

Isn’t it the cities responsibility to secure their own signs?

anonyme August 30, 2017 (6:26 am)

It’s absurd that the city requires a property owner to pay for signs that govern use of a public sidewalk. And to be effective, it should include some kind of hazard warning which, in this case, is not obvious.

Sorry, comment time is over.