Broken sidewalks outside St. Dominic School — Merton Avenue, Eagle Rock
Parents and neighbors report broken, uneven sidewalks on Merton Avenue outside St. Dominic School (preschool–8th grade) in Eagle Rock, off Colorado Boulevard. The City of Los Angeles repairs sidewalks through its Safe Sidewalks LA program, which has a large backlog. Residents say the block has been surveyed and that no repair money is set aside; StandLocal is collecting the records to confirm.
Overview
Neutral summary · community maintainedWhat’s reported
Parents, staff and neighbors of St. Dominic School report that the sidewalks along Merton Avenue in front of the school are broken, lifted and uneven, and that children and families walk over them every day at drop-off and pick-up. The school, at 2005 Merton Avenue, serves about 250 students from preschool through eighth grade; St. Dominic Church is across the street at 2002 Merton Avenue. During the school day the block of Merton between Maywood and Caspar avenues is closed to traffic, so more of the school’s foot traffic uses this stretch.
StandLocal has not yet confirmed the condition of the sidewalk with city inspection records or dated photos. If you have photos (with the date) or a MyLA311 service request number, please add them under Contribute.
Who is responsible
In Los Angeles, the city repairs broken sidewalks through Safe Sidewalks LA, a 30-year, $1.37 billion program that came out of the 2016 Willits settlement with disability-rights advocates. Its top priority is repairs requested by people with mobility disabilities (the Access Request program); after that, repairs are ranked by a scoring system the City Council adopted in January 2018. Under the “fix and release” policy approved in March 2016, the city makes the first repair and then gives the adjacent property owner a warranty — 20 years for residential property and 5 years for commercial — after which future repairs are the owner’s responsibility.
StreetsLA can also place temporary asphalt patches on broken pieces of sidewalk while a permanent repair waits.
Money and the backlog
The program’s website says the number of repairs each year depends on how much the City Council budgets. In August 2026 the city reported a backlog of more than 4,400 sidewalk repair requests; an Investing in Place report in 2025 counted more than 50,000 broken sidewalks citywide. The Bureau of Street Services’ operating budget fell by $61 million (26%) between fiscal years 2024 and 2026. The 2026–27 city budget, signed May 28, 2026, increases funding for street and sidewalk repair and raises curb-ramp funding by 45%, but doesn’t list individual locations. The city’s sidewalk rebate program, which pays property owners back for doing repairs themselves, is currently placing new applications on a waitlist.
In April 2026, Councilmember Ysabel Jurado — whose District 14 includes Eagle Rock — said her office was exploring funding for a “sidewalk strike team,” citing accessibility concerns. Her Eagle Rock field office is around the corner at 2035 Colorado Boulevard.
What residents say, and what still needs confirming
Residents say the city has surveyed this stretch and planned a repair, and that they were told there is no budget to do it. StandLocal hasn’t found a public record of the survey or of a funding decision yet. The “Records still needed” list below explains how to request them from the city.
How a repair moves up the list
The city ranks sidewalk repairs by its own published rules, so nothing guarantees a date. These are the steps that count under those rules:
• Access Requests come first. Under the Willits settlement, repairs requested by people with mobility disabilities are the program’s top priority, and within those, locations near public transit and requests open longer than 120 days get extra weight. A parishioner, student, family member or neighbor who has a mobility disability and uses this sidewalk can file one through MyLA311 or 311 (or someone can file it for them). Only people who actually have a mobility disability should use this route.
• One report per broken spot. The city asks people not to file duplicates. A single volunteer can photograph each defect, file one MyLA311 request per spot, and post the service request numbers here so neighbors can track them instead of refiling.
• Ask for temporary patches. StreetsLA can place asphalt patches on the worst spots while a permanent repair waits — the quickest safety step, and it doesn’t need new funding.
• A joint request to the council office. A letter signed together by the school, the parish and parents, sent to Councilmember Jurado’s Eagle Rock office (2035 Colorado Blvd., 323-254-5295), can ask for a site walk with StreetsLA, temporary patches, a written answer about any survey or priority score for this block, and whether council-office discretionary funds or the “sidewalk strike team” her office described could cover it.
• Neighborhood council support. The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council meets the first Tuesday of the month and can pass a motion supporting the repair.
• Budget season. Each year’s repairs depend on the city budget, which the mayor proposes in April and the City Council adopts in May. Public comment during that period is when funding decisions are made.
• The owner option. Under “fix and release,” the adjacent property owner may repair the sidewalk with a city permit and apply for the city’s rebate, though new rebate applications currently go on a waitlist.
If someone has been hurt here, keep names and medical details private; the city’s claims process is separate from this page.
Questions & answers
Sourced, neutral answers to common questionsWho is responsible for fixing this sidewalk?
In Los Angeles the city makes the first repair of a broken sidewalk through Safe Sidewalks LA. Under the “fix and release” policy approved in March 2016, after that repair the adjacent property owner gets a warranty (20 years for residential, 5 for commercial) and then becomes responsible for future repairs. StreetsLA handles inspections and temporary patches.
How can this repair move up the city’s list?
The fastest legitimate route is an Access Request: repairs requested by people with mobility disabilities are the program’s top priority, with extra weight for locations near transit and requests open more than 120 days. Anyone with a mobility disability who uses this sidewalk can file one through MyLA311 or 311. Beyond that: file one 311 report per broken spot and share the numbers here, ask StreetsLA for temporary patches, send a joint request from the school, parish and parents to the District 14 council office asking for a site walk and a written status, ask the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council for a supporting motion, and speak during budget season (April–May). The city still ranks repairs by its own rules, so none of this guarantees a date.
Who should file an Access Request?
Only a person with a mobility disability — for example someone who uses a wheelchair, walker or cane, or has difficulty walking — or someone filing on their behalf. If older parishioners or students with mobility disabilities use this sidewalk, their requests are the strongest signal the program recognizes. Filing one without a mobility disability isn’t appropriate and can slow the program for people who need it.
When is the best time to ask for funding?
Sidewalk repairs are paid for in each year’s city budget. The mayor proposes it in April and the City Council adopts it in May, with public comment along the way. Contacting the District 14 office before and during that period, and giving short public comment, is when funding decisions are made.
How do I report the sidewalk?
Use MyLA311 (online or the app) or call 311 (213-473-3231 from outside Los Angeles). Describe the exact spot — for example, the Merton Avenue sidewalk in front of 2005 Merton Ave — and add photos. Keep the service request number: the city looks up status by that number, and you can add it here so neighbors don’t file duplicates. If you or someone you’re reporting for has a mobility disability, choose an Access Request — it’s the program’s highest priority.
Is there money to fix it?
The city funds sidewalk repairs through each year’s budget, and the program has a backlog of more than 4,400 requests (August 2026). The 2026–27 budget increased street and sidewalk repair funding but doesn’t list individual locations. Residents report being told there’s no budget for this block; StandLocal hasn’t found that in a public record yet — see “Records still needed.”
Can the school or a neighbor repair it themselves?
Work in the public sidewalk needs a city permit. The city’s rebate program pays owners back for part of a repair they make themselves, but new rebate applications currently go on a waitlist. Ask Safe Sidewalks LA (sidewalks@lacity.org) about permits and the rebate before starting.
Who can push for a faster repair?
Councilmember Ysabel Jurado’s District 14 office (Eagle Rock office: 2035 Colorado Blvd., 323-254-5295) can ask StreetsLA to inspect and patch, and the council sets the repair budget. The Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council, which meets the first Tuesday of the month, can pass a motion supporting the request.
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Timeline
Add an event-
Nov 9, 1924
St. Dominic School opens
The parish school opens in Eagle Rock; today it serves about 250 students from preschool through eighth grade at 2005 Merton Avenue.
Source ↗ -
Aug 4, 2010
Disability-rights lawsuit over L.A. sidewalks filed (Willits)
Residents with mobility disabilities sue the City of Los Angeles over broken sidewalks and missing curb ramps.
Source ↗ -
Mar 29, 2016
City Council approves “fix and release”
The city will make the first sidewalk repair, then give owners a warranty (20 years residential, 5 commercial) before responsibility returns to them.
Source ↗ -
December 2016
Safe Sidewalks LA begins
Under the Willits settlement, the city starts a 30-year, $1.37 billion program to make sidewalks accessible, with Access Requests from people with mobility disabilities as the top priority.
Source ↗ -
January 2018
Council adopts the repair scoring system
The City Council adopts how sidewalk repairs are ranked after Access Requests.
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Nov 17, 2021
City Controller audit: repairs too slow
The Controller finds about 2,100 sites repaired, a backlog of roughly 50,000 unaddressed sidewalk reports, and Access Requests averaging 646 days before construction.
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Dec 9, 2024
Ysabel Jurado takes office in Council District 14
District 14 includes Eagle Rock; the council office has an Eagle Rock field office at 2035 Colorado Boulevard.
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Apr 4, 2026
CD14 office says it is exploring a “sidewalk strike team”
Reporting on the office’s streetlight repairs, The Occidental notes that neighborhood council members called sidewalks the district’s next urgent need and that Councilmember Jurado’s office is exploring funding for a sidewalk crew.
Source ↗ -
May 28, 2026
2026–27 city budget signed
The budget increases funding for street and sidewalk repair and raises curb-ramp funding by 45%; it doesn’t list individual sidewalk locations.
Source ↗ -
August 2026
Ten years after Willits: backlog of 4,400+ requests
The city reports more than $370 million spent under the settlement and a backlog of more than 4,400 sidewalk repair requests.
Source ↗ -
Oct 26, 2026
Four public records requests filed with the City
Requests #26-21749 and #26-21751 (Street Services: inspections and 311 history), #26-21750 (Engineering: Safe Sidewalks LA status) and #26-21752 (Street Services: funding emails). The city must respond by Nov. 5, 2026.
Source ↗ -
Oct 26, 2026
Records request emailed to the Council District 14 office
A California Public Records Act request for the council office's emails and notes about repairing the block, including any word on funding, went to Councilmember Ysabel Jurado's office. A response is due by Nov. 5, 2026.
Source ↗
Community positions
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Contact decision-makers
Phone, email and contact formsThese are the officials and agencies with a say in this case, and what each one can actually do. StandLocal suggests talking points for every side — pick yours, then put it in your own words. Personal, local, respectful messages carry the most weight.
Cities & towns
Represents Eagle Rock on the City Council, which sets the sidewalk repair budget. A council office can ask StreetsLA to inspect and patch a location, direct its own discretionary funds to repairs, and introduce motions. The Eagle Rock field office is around the corner from the school.
Inspects reported sidewalks, places temporary asphalt patches, and builds repairs. A MyLA311 service request (or a call to 311 — 213-473-3231 from outside L.A.) starts the city’s record for a location; keep the request number.
Runs the Willits repair program: Access Requests, the priority scoring, scheduling and the rebate waitlist. Can say whether this block has a request, a score or a planned repair.
Proposes the city budget each spring, including Street Services and sidewalk funding, and directs city departments. The mayoral runoff is on November 3, 2026.
Other
Elected residents who advise the city. The board meets the first Tuesday of each month and can pass motions asking the council office and StreetsLA to prioritize this repair.
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Documents & public records
Add a document-
Safe Sidewalks LA — program updateThe city’s explanation of the program, its priorities, and that repairs each year depend on the council’s budget.
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Safe Sidewalks LA — Access Request programHow people with mobility disabilities request a repair — the program’s highest priority.
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Safe Sidewalks LA — report a sidewalk problemHow to report a broken sidewalk through MyLA311 or 311, and what to expect.
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Safe Sidewalks LA — repair map and pending requestsThe city’s map of completed and scheduled repairs, the list of pending Access Requests, and program spending.
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Safe Sidewalks LA — rebate program (waitlist)The rebate for owners who repair the sidewalk themselves; new applications are placed on a waitlist.
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St. Dominic School — directions and parkingThe school’s address and the daytime closure of Merton Avenue between Maywood and Caspar.
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Mayor signs the 2026–27 city budgetThe adopted budget’s summary, including more funding for street and sidewalk repair and curb ramps.
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Repairing L.A.’s Broken Sidewalk Strategy — City Controller auditThe Controller’s audit of Safe Sidewalks LA: how repairs are prioritized, how long they take, and 15 recommendations.
Records still needed
How to request public records →These public records exist but aren’t online yet. Anyone can request them — each one below says where to ask, what to ask for and what it costs. If you request one, click I’ve requested this so neighbors don’t file duplicates, then upload it when it arrives.
RequestedCity inspections or surveys of the Merton Avenue sidewalks City of Los Angeles — Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) and Bureau of Engineering · 1 neighbor has requested it
Residents say this block has been surveyed. The inspection or survey shows what the city found, how it measured the damage, and the repair estimate.
How to get it
1. Check the Safe Sidewalks LA repair map first; a scheduled project may already be listed.
2. Submit a request through the City of Los Angeles public records portal and choose the department named above (or ask 311 which department holds it).
3. Name the block exactly: Merton Avenue between Maywood Avenue and Caspar Avenue, Los Angeles 90041 (in front of 2005 Merton Ave).
4. Ask for electronic copies — under the California Public Records Act, agencies can charge only the direct cost of copies.
5. The city must tell you within 10 days whether it has the records and when they’ll be ready (up to 14 more days in unusual circumstances).
6. Upload what you receive here.
What to ask for
Cost: City of Los Angeles: only the direct cost of copies; electronic records are usually free.
RequestedAny record that no funding is available for this repair City of Los Angeles — Council District 14 office, StreetsLA and Bureau of Engineering · 1 neighbor has requested it
Residents report being told there is no budget to fix this block. A written record shows who decided that, when, and what it would take to fund the repair.
How to get it
1. If someone was told in writing that there’s no budget, add that email here (remove personal phone numbers and home addresses first).
2. Submit a request through the City of Los Angeles public records portal and choose the department named above (or ask 311 which department holds it).
3. Name the block exactly: Merton Avenue between Maywood Avenue and Caspar Avenue, Los Angeles 90041 (in front of 2005 Merton Ave).
4. Ask for electronic copies — under the California Public Records Act, agencies can charge only the direct cost of copies.
5. The city must tell you within 10 days whether it has the records and when they’ll be ready (up to 14 more days in unusual circumstances).
6. Upload what you receive here.
What to ask for
Cost: City of Los Angeles: only the direct cost of copies; electronic records are usually free.
RequestedMyLA311 service requests for this block City of Los Angeles — Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) · 1 neighbor has requested it
The 311 history shows how long the problem has been reported, how often, and how the city closed each request.
How to get it
1. If you filed a request yourself, look it up by its service request number on MyLA311 and add the number here.
2. Submit a request through the City of Los Angeles public records portal and choose the department named above (or ask 311 which department holds it).
3. Name the block exactly: Merton Avenue between Maywood Avenue and Caspar Avenue, Los Angeles 90041 (in front of 2005 Merton Ave).
4. Ask for electronic copies — under the California Public Records Act, agencies can charge only the direct cost of copies.
5. The city must tell you within 10 days whether it has the records and when they’ll be ready (up to 14 more days in unusual circumstances).
6. Upload what you receive here.
What to ask for
Cost: City of Los Angeles: only the direct cost of copies; electronic records are usually free.
RequestedSafe Sidewalks LA status for this location City of Los Angeles — Bureau of Engineering (Safe Sidewalks LA) · 1 neighbor has requested it
Shows whether the block has an Access Request, a priority score or a planned repair date in the city’s program.
How to get it
1. Email sidewalks@lacity.org first — the program can often answer status questions without a formal request.
2. Submit a request through the City of Los Angeles public records portal and choose the department named above (or ask 311 which department holds it).
3. Name the block exactly: Merton Avenue between Maywood Avenue and Caspar Avenue, Los Angeles 90041 (in front of 2005 Merton Ave).
4. Ask for electronic copies — under the California Public Records Act, agencies can charge only the direct cost of copies.
5. The city must tell you within 10 days whether it has the records and when they’ll be ready (up to 14 more days in unusual circumstances).
6. Upload what you receive here.
What to ask for
Cost: City of Los Angeles: only the direct cost of copies; electronic records are usually free.
RequestedCouncil District 14 emails about repairing the Merton Avenue sidewalks City of Los Angeles — Council District 14 (Councilmember Ysabel Jurado) · 1 neighbor has requested it
The council office doesn't use the City's records portal, so its own emails, case notes and any word on funding have to be requested from the office directly.
How to get it
1. Email the request to councilmember.jurado@lacity.org.
2. Name the block: Merton Avenue between Maywood Avenue and Caspar Avenue, Los Angeles 90041, and give a date range.
3. Ask for electronic copies — under the California Public Records Act, agencies can charge only the direct cost of copies.
4. The office must tell you within 10 days whether it has the records and when they'll be ready (up to 14 more days in unusual circumstances).
5. Upload what you receive here.
What to ask for
Cost: California Public Records Act: only the direct cost of copies; electronic records are usually free.
What residents said
Public comments residents spoke or submitted