A state of the union on Savannah’s sidewalks
Do we love Old Savannah? Yes we do! You cannot help but love this national treasure. The oldest city in Georgia. The largest historic city by far in the United States.
I was out front this morning and heard the clip-clop of horses coming up Barnard Street. Two city cops on their horses! A hearty hello! After they had passed by you could actually smell the horses. (Not bad at all, very earthy.) The aroma sent me right back to how it may have been in bygone days, seeing all of our guests walking around and enjoying our fair city is pretty incredible. Back when the streets were brick, no tar or concrete. I thought how wonderful it must have been. Horses and carriages everywhere. Sidewalks being bricked. Those were the days.
Then came the snapback. Yes, the brick sidewalks are beautiful. So are all the live oaks and other trees. Spanish moss hanging everywhere in a visual wonderland. You’re looking up at the gorgeous buildings and trees and then, kaboom! The toe of your shoe catches on a sidewalk brick, and over you go! It’s the same thing when walking at night. You can’t see the death traps. I hate to admit it but I have gone flying more times than I care to admit. Two of the falls have been seriously painful. I know I’m not the only person to take a tumble in the Hostess City.
So why does our Fair City not repair the sidewalks, or at least the worst offenders? I sometimes walk in the street because the sidewalks are in such disrepair. And no, I did not walk down the middle of the street. I have witnessed city guests going down like a sack of potatoes. Ouch! Especially for our older people.
Georgia law states that if a problem spot has been reported to the city, and it has not been fixed, then someone who has tripped can sue according to city attorney Bates Lovett. If the problem is unreported, someone who has tripped can also sue. It’s in the city’s interest to fix this endemic problem, and watchful citizens can report problem spots they see to 311.
My worst fall was on the sidewalk parallel to Gaston Street, two blocks before Habersham. I was out cold. 911 was called. I had big scrapes on my forehead, arms and right hip, not to mention a feeling of humiliation. Not wearing high heels. Just plain old flats. I was able to make it home and was very sore for four days.
In my humble opinion, it is a scandal. Hey! Fix the sidewalks! Anyone else out there that has done the Savannah Tumble? Please share with me. City council, here we come. The Tattler will be checking out the city council meetings in the future. I will try to alert all about meeting content on budget and plans for sidewalk repair in the future.
Sincerely, Vera Charles.
Barnard Street Tattler 