Jackson to Pay Nearly $100 Thousand in Sidewalk Lawsuit
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JACKSON, Tenn. — The city of Jackson agreed to pay $97,000 in attorney fees on Tuesday following a lawsuit over city sidewalks. Some sidewalks in Jackson will soon get a facelift. The repairs follow a lawsuit claiming the city did not comply with standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act. “Obviously if you have broken sidewalks, some that are different elevations, it’s hard to maneuver that, which causes some people in cases to have to get out in the streets,” said Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist. In a unanimous vote onTuesday, Jackson City Council members agreed to pay $97,000 in attorney fees for the plaintiff. “Well, we’re never happy about paying attorney fees, but I think it’s a good first step to get this issue resolved,” said Jackson City Councilman Scott Conger. Mayor Jerry Gist says the city gets 20 years to make the $4 million worth of sidewalk repairs. “No new sidewalks, only repairs of existing sidewalks,” Gist said. “It’s necessary and we have to get it done,” Conger said. “There are some broken sidewalks. We need better contiguous sidewalks especially downtown for our handicap pedestrians to be able to travel.” Gist estimates the city has approximately 400 miles of sidewalks. He says many of them are A.D.A. compliant, but several miles are not. “We’re glad to get the ADA lawsuit behind us,” Gist said. “It’s been an issue for 12, 13, 14 years and we’re glad to get that behind us so we can move forward.” Gist says crews already started work on the repairs.
