City of Sacramento
City Council - 2PM Report
915 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
www.cityofsacramento.org
File ID: 2026-00600 3/24/2026
Establish Capital Improvement Project and Budgetary Adjustments: Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project (T15265400)
File ID: 2026-00600
Location: District 4
Recommendation: Adopt a Resolution: 1) establishing the Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project (T15265400) as a new Capital Improvement Project; and 2) authorizing the City Manager or designee to increase the expenditure budget of the Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project (T15265400) by transferring $1,200,000 (Gas Tax, Fund 2002) from the available fund balance.
Contact: Kelli Lacy, Assistant Civil Engineer, (916) 808-8157, [email protected]; Judith Matsui-Drury, Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-7610, [email protected]; Ofelia Avalos, Engineering Manager, (916) 808-5054, [email protected]; Department of Public Works
Presenter: None
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Resolution
Description/Analysis
Issue Detail: In the 1860’s, a portion of the City was raised in response to flooding that was occurring in some riverfront areas downtown. The roads were raised with backfill, second floors of existing buildings became the first floors, and the new sidewalks were constructed on structural support systems, leaving a basement level. This action created hollow sidewalks.
For the limited number of remaining properties that still have hollow sidewalks in the downtown area, the City has the Hollow Sidewalk Monitoring Program to monitor and inspect sites and notify applicable property owners to repair the hollow sidewalk properties. These properties are generally bounded by Front Street to 12th Street and I Street to L Street.
The Hollow Sidewalk Monitoring Program does not include scope or funding for repairs. Sidewalk repairs are the responsibility of property owners. For the City to initiate repairs, which includes
File ID: 2026-00600 3/24/2026
engineering and construction of hollow sidewalk locations in the public right of way, a new capital improvement project would need to be established.
Policy Considerations: The process to repair hollow sidewalks is consistent with the City’s sidewalk ordinance (Chapter 12.32) and the California Streets and Highway Code (§ 5610) which requires the property owner to maintain the sidewalk in such condition that the sidewalk will not endanger persons or property and maintain it in a condition which will not interfere with the public convenience.
The scope of the Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project is consistent with the City’s 2040 General Plan goals of prioritizing mobility, comfort, health, safety, and convenience for those walking (General Plan M-1.2), and designing projects to improve walking safety (General Plan M-1.19).
Economic Impacts: None.
Environmental Considerations: The requested action is to perform budgetary adjustments and establish a capital improvement project. The subject action is not a project pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378(b)(5). The action is an administrative activity that would not result in a direct or indirect significant effect on the environment and is not subject to CEQA. [CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(3)]. Prior to final action to undertake the project, appropriate environmental review will be completed pursuant to the requirements of CEQA.
Sustainability: None.
Commission/Committee Action: None.
Rationale for Recommendation: City Council action is required to establish the capital improvement project and perform budgetary adjustments for the Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project.
Financial Considerations: The estimated cost to complete the Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project is $1,200,000. Approval of the capital improvement project and budgetary adjustments in the amount of $1,200,000 (Gas Tax, Fund 2002), will be sufficient to perform project management, engineering, and construction at selected hollow sidewalk repair locations.
There is sufficient funding in the Gas Tax available fund balance to transfer $1,200,000 (Gas Tax, Fund 2002) to the Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project (T15265400).
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
Version Dated 7/27/2025.
RESOLUTION NO.
Adopted by the Sacramento City Council
ESTABLISH CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND BUDGETARY ADJUSTMENTS:
HOLLOW SIDEWALK REPAIR PROJECT (T15265400)
BACKGROUND
A. In the 1860’s, a portion of the City was raised in response to flooding that was occurring in some riverfront areas downtown. The roads were raised with backfill, second floors of existing buildings became the first floors, and the new sidewalks were constructed on structural support systems, leaving a basement level. This action created hollow sidewalks.
B. For the limited number of remaining properties that still have hollow sidewalks in the downtown area, the City has the Hollow Sidewalk Monitoring Program to monitor and inspect sites, and notify applicable property owners to repair hollow sidewalk properties. These properties are generally bounded by Front Street to 12th Street and I Street to L Street.
C. The Hollow Sidewalk Monitoring Program does not include scope or funding for repairs.
Sidewalk repairs are the responsibility of property owners. For the City to initiate repairs, which includes engineering and construction of hollow sidewalk locations in the public right of way, a new capital improvement project would need to be established.
D. City Council action is required to establish the capital improvement project and perform budgetary adjustments for the Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project.
BASED ON THE FACTS SET FORTH IN THE BACKGROUND, THE CITY COUNCIL RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project (T15265400) is established as a new Capital Improvement Project.
Section 2. The City Manager or designee is authorized to increase the expenditure budget of the Hollow Sidewalk Repair Project (T15265400) by transferring $1,200,000 (Gas Tax, Fund 2002) from the available fund balance.