Queens, New York – Assemblyman David I. Weprin and Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik joined Jerry Wind of the Bellerose Hillside Civic Association and local homeowner Paul Krasanoff to call for the passage of legislation that would provide homeowners with a tax credit for curb repair costs.

Current law stipulates that owners of one, two, or three family homes in New York City are responsible for the maintenance and repair of sidewalks in front of or adjacent to their properties, with the New York City Department of Transportation retaining responsibility for maintenance and repair of adjoining curbs and roads. However, despite NYC DOT’s efforts to expedite repairs, DOT has acknowledged that ‘requests to address curb conditions outpace available resources’ and have noted that that curb repairs often take an extended period of time to complete. Defective or broken curbs that are not repaired in a reasonable period of time can lead to a damaged sidewalk, leaving homeowners with the responsibility and costs of new sidewalk repairs.

Legislation introduced by Weprin (A5324 – Weprin) and supported by the New York City Council, as indicated by a Grodenchik-sponsored resolution introduced in the New York City Council (Res 1353 – Grodenchik), would allow curb repairs to be expedited by permitting homeowners to have curb repair work, not completed by the City of New York, to be completed by a licensed contractor within 90 days of the request. Homeowners would then be able to apply for and receive a property tax credit for the reasonable cost of these repairs.

“City homeowners are getting kicked to the curb with sidewalk repair costs” said Assemblyman David Weprin. “It is time that we provide homeowners with a path for responsible curb repair and sidewalk maintenance.”

"It would seem logical that since curbs are city property, they would be repaired or replaced when necessary, but homeowners often wait, seemingly forever,” said Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens).” This legislation – a simple fix to a longstanding problem – would allow homeowners to fix their curbs quickly in exchange for a property tax credit. Many thanks to Assembly Member David I. Weprin for working in concert with me on this important issue.”