Willow Glen Resident
News
San Jose looks at ways to tackle the backlog in unfunded maintenance
By Eli Segall
San Jose has $445 million of unmet maintenance needs that can no longer be ignored, according to city officials.
On May 21, the Transportation and Environment Committee asked city staff to draft a two-year work plan to prioritize maintenance needs and identify potential funding sources for infrastructure repairs and upgrades to city parks, streets and sewers.
If repairs stay on the back burner, problems will only worsen, especially since San Jose is building new parks, libraries and fire stations, said Ashwini Kantak, the city's capital improvement projects action team leader.
"We recognize that preventative maintenance ends up taking a back seat because of higher priorities," said Kantak, who is leading the work plan efforts. "We need to ensure the longevity of our facilities."
Due to budget cuts, deferred maintenance has been piling up for years, say city officials. The most pressing of those needs is the city's transit infrastructure that requires $370 million to fund its maintenance and repairs. Since 1997, the city has reduced street resurfacing from 40 miles per year to five miles per year.
Another area that lacks funding is the city's annual tree trimming, which has dropped from 20,000 trees to 3,000 trees, according to a recent memo from the city manager's office.
Throughout the city each district is facing its own backlog.
In District 1, Calabazas, Starbird and Mise parks need $1.66 million worth of repairs and upgrades, according to city figures.
In District 6, River Glen, Bramhall and Lincoln Glen parks need $743,000 worth of repairs and upgrades, according to city figures.
In District 9, Butcher and Doerr parks need $811,000 worth of repairs and upgrades, according to city figures.
City staff is confident these and other problems can be effectively addressed.
"There have been numerous efforts in the past to reduce the backlog, but none this comprehensive," Kantak said.
At the end of June, the city council will vote to increase residents' monthly sewer service fees, which, if approved, will generate an additional $7 million annually. Last month, San Jose launched its Transportation Maintenance Master Plan to let residents pinpoint pressing transit infrastructure needs.
Antak did not rule out proposing a parcel tax or bond measure as part of the work plan. Both options require voter approval.
"It's too early to say, but we'll look at all options to see what makes sense," Antak said. "That's what we'll be doing for the next three months."
