The new handrail that was installed at 48th Avenue and Balboa. Photo by Jesse Friedman.
Back in January, we told you about a group of residents on a steep block of 48th Avenue at Balboa that were looking for some help with the replacement of a handrail.
The original handrail was wiped out when a truck lost its brakes a few years back, and it was never replaced. Several of the residents that live on on the hill are elderly, and one fell and injured herself on the stairs in the last couple of years.
48th Avenue resident Gabriel Lampert has been on a personal crusade to get the handrail replaced, working with Supervisor Eric Mar’s office and the DPW for several months to try and get it done.
With the help of Supervisor Mar’s office, the city finally agreed in March to replace the handrail at no cost to the residents.
And last week, the job was completed! The photo above shows the new, sturdy railing that was installed by the DPW. The residents are thrilled.
“I’m very happy, and can tell you that at least two seniors are using the rail already,” Gabriel said.
Thanks to Gabriel, Supervisor Mar and the DPW for their hard work and help to make make this happen!
Sarah B.
The staircase before the new handrail was installed.
Thanks, Gabriel, Supervisor Mar’s office, and DPW! And thanks to you, Sarah, for helping get this done!
Glad this finally got fixed. It’s just too bad it took so long!
This is an interesting scenario.
Nice of the city to do this for the people who pay taxes…so…it’s the city’s obligation right.
People fall. They sue the city. Same thing with the millions of pot holes multiplying all over.
Except the city seems to be failing the people on keeping our streets smooth.
Does this set a precedent for more city-installed handrails along those steeper hills with steps leading up to streets like Broadway from the Union St area.
Where do you draw the line?
Does a sidewalk with steps warrant a handrail versus a sidewalk as is without one?
So, having steps means you need a handrail? Just free-thinking here.
Westender , the ADA law has pretty strict guidelines on hand rails. Im surprised the city simply wasnt sued for a violation.
@JJJ – There was/is some debate about who is responsible for the sidewalk and stairs. Originally the city was saying they are not, and it was the responsibility of the building owners on that block. This is why Eric Mar pushed the issue and eventually got them to agree to help despite of this. It’s a win-win, let’s leave it at that. 🙂
Sarah B.
Kind of seems that the insurance company for the truck that took out the rail in the first place should have been responsible for replacing it!
Here’s a thought: why not have a railing attached to the house? Same practical purpose, but significantly less materials used, and probably cheaper in labor, too.
Susan: makes me wonder if the owner there didn’t actually receive compensation and just neglect to do anything until the city took care of it.