Blind woman asks city to fix sidewalks in Madrona

UPDATE: After KIRO 7 contacted SDOT about the sidewalks in Madrona on Friday and the hazard they create for a blind resident, workers did some temporary repairs.  SDOT told KIRO 7 it plans to have workers do a more permanent fix on Tuesday.

SDOT Statement:

SDOT crews finished temporary safety repairs near 800 34th Ave this afternoon. Overgrown tree roots and uneven pavement is a well-known and ongoing issue in this community. For some time now, SDOT has engaged community members and adjacent homeowners in striking a balance between safety and the environment. But this homeowner deserves better. We apologize for the delay in addressing this safety concern. Tuesday, SDOT will do additional work to include more permanent repairs. Because of this immediate safety concern, the department will reconvene community meetings with these neighbors and finalize a tree removal and sidewalk repair plan as soon as possible.

A blind Madrona woman is asking the City of Seattle to fix the damaged sidewalks in her neighborhood.

Eleni Teshome has been blind for more than 40 years, and moved in to her home along 34th Ave in Madrona in the late 80s.

Now, she says she can't even walk on the sidewalk that runs past her house because it is severely damaged, saying the concrete is buckled.

Teshome said she feels like a prisoner in her own home. When she tries to walk on the sidewalk outside her home, her service dog, Cash, just stops. She says he can't keep her safe from the hazards.

The neighborhood along 34th Avenue has many trees, and the roots have grown and ripped up the sidewalks.

But there are still damaged sidewalks in areas where trees were removed years ago.

Teshome says she trips and falls right outside her home. She can't go to the library, church, or the grocery store without someone helping her navigate the torn-up sidewalks.

Teshome says she's been trying to get the sidewalks repaired since 2015. When nothing was done, a friend emailed the city last month to remind them of the problem.  The city employee wrote back in an email that the residents don't want to lose the trees and referred her to the city's maintenance operations and urban forestry divisions. Teshome and her friend are still waiting for a response.

Teshome told KIRO 7 her life and safety should be valued, not just the trees.

Cox Media Group