A long-time Fort Wayne resident says he’s being priced out of a basic public service, and he’s not alone.

Jack Patten has lived in his home for decades. The sidewalk out front? Cracked and crumbling for nearly as long. Now, under the city’s 50/50 cost-share program, he’s been told to fork over about $3,000 to fix it. For ten slabs. On a fixed income, he says that’s not just unfair — it’s impossible.

“I Just Don’t Have It”: A Fixed Income Meets a Fixed Policy

Patten’s voice cracked when he described the letter he received. Ten concrete slabs need replacing. The city will cover half, but that still leaves him with thousands to pay.

“I’ve got to come up with this money to get this sidewalk fixed, and I’m on a fixed income,” he said, visibly frustrated. “Bottom line — I can’t afford it.”

He’s not contesting the need for repair. His issue is simple: why should individuals like him be financially responsible for something he believes is fundamentally a public good?

There’s no simple answer to that.

The Barrett Law Program: Voluntary But Pricey

The city’s Barrett Law 50/50 Cost Share Program sounds generous at first. Split the bill with the government, and improve your sidewalk, curb, or driveway. Easy enough.

Except, for many, it’s anything but.

Nick Jarrell, who oversees Right-of-Way and Landscape Services for Fort Wayne, says the program is “voluntary” and part of a broader effort to keep neighborhoods accessible and safe.

But what’s voluntary on paper doesn’t always feel that way in practice.

• Residents receive city inspections.

• If sidewalks are found damaged, homeowners are encouraged — sometimes repeatedly — to enroll in the repair program.

• Opting out leaves many stuck with deteriorating walkways that could lead to safety complaints, accessibility issues, or even lawsuits.

The choice, for people like Patten, isn’t much of one.

Grants Exist — But Good Luck Finding Them

Jarrell insists the city is trying to be flexible. Financial assistance is out there, he says, and staff are willing to guide residents through the process.

“We look at each individual case one-on-one,” he told WPTA. “The Department of Community Development has a lot of different grants and programs that can help.”

But navigating those resources isn’t always intuitive — especially for older residents or those without internet access. Some say the process is so murky it feels more like lip service than real support.

Even when help exists, demand outpaces supply. Budgets are limited, timelines are stretched, and some grants can’t be applied retroactively.

A City Balancing Act: Fixing Sidewalks or Everything Else?

From potholes to parks, Fort Wayne’s public services are under constant strain. City officials say sidewalk repairs just can’t take priority over everything else.

“If we dedicated all of our resources to the sidewalk, nothing else in the city would get done,” Jarrell explained. “It just takes time and a budget.”

That’s true. And fair. But critics argue that asking individuals to shoulder that burden shifts public responsibility onto private citizens — disproportionately affecting lower-income households, seniors, and residents in historically underfunded neighborhoods.

One sentence here: Some are calling it a slow, quiet form of disinvestment.

Is This Really a Public Problem?

Sidewalks are part of public infrastructure. You walk your dog on them. Kids ride bikes on them. Mail carriers and delivery drivers use them every day. So, why is the repair bill landing in residents’ mailboxes?

The logic behind the Barrett Law program is rooted in shared responsibility. You own the property adjacent to the sidewalk, you help maintain it. But this model is far from universal.

Check out this quick comparison of how other cities approach the issue:

So yeah, Fort Wayne isn’t alone. But neither is it the most forgiving model out there.

Neighbors Talk, And the Grumbling’s Getting Louder

In Patten’s neighborhood, he’s not the only one getting sticker shock. Others have quietly started complaining too.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said she’s ignoring the city’s letters. “I’m just hoping they forget about me,” she joked — only half-seriously.

Another said he paid the bill but had to take money from his emergency savings. “I did it because I didn’t want a fight,” he said. “But it didn’t feel right.”

These aren’t wealthy homeowners with cash to burn. They’re working-class, many retired, some just scraping by. And now, they’re being asked to fix what they feel the city should be maintaining.

What Happens If They Don’t Pay?

Here’s where it gets sticky. Technically, the 50/50 program is optional. But if damage is severe enough to be declared a hazard, the city can step in and order repairs — then bill the homeowner later.

Or worse, put a lien on the property.

The threat isn’t used lightly. Still, the uncertainty adds to residents’ stress.

One-sentence paragraph again: It’s like a ticking clock they can’t stop.