Infrastructure Needs Top $7 Billion, Council Told

City officials said Tuesday that it would cost more than $7.1 billion to fix city streets, flood channels, sidewalks, bridges and buildings, which have deteriorated after decades of neglect.

City Councilman Mike Feuer said he plans to convene a meeting of city administrators next week to begin identifying priority projects and developing a funding plan.

“As a city we’ve been deferring big picture infrastructure needs for years because the cost is so enormous,” Feuer said.

A draft report prepared by the city Public Works Department estimates the cost of rebuilding and maintaining streets, sidewalks, flood channels and bridges will be more than $5.1 billion over the next 10 years.

The report has been prepared to help the City Council get a handle on the city’s infrastructure needs, said Todd Burnett, a member of the Public Works Board.

In addition, City Administrative Officer Keith Comrie has warned the City Council that the cost of replacing and expanding old police and fire stations and equipment is more than $2 billion.

Feuer said the group he will convene next week will also look at the building needs of other departments.