A Concrete Step Forward on Rebuilding Scarsdale Sidewalks

In response to months of advocacy from the Council on People with Disabilities, the Scarsdale Village Board of Trustees held a work session on sidewalks and paving on Tuesday November 18, 2025 to address their concerns.

Village engineers opened the conversation with a recap of their study on the condition of Scarsdale’s 20 miles of sidewalks. A key early question centered on whether to rebuild the sidewalks with asphalt or concrete. Engineers and board members quickly aligned on concrete as the long-term solution: although more expensive upfront, concrete lasts 40–50 years compared to asphalt’s 10, making it significantly more cost-effective over time. They noted that asphalt may still be used for urgent temporary repairs when needed.

From there, the discussion turned to prioritization, staging, funding, and timelines. Engineers identified 6.5 miles of sidewalks rated “poor” or “failing,” ultimately recommending that the first-year pilot focus on 1.3 miles of the highest-use, highest-risk sections, namely sidewalks near schools, transit, and commuter routes. Mayor Justin Arest agreed that the village should move forward with a concrete-based rebuild beginning in fiscal year 2026. The Board currently has $295,000 allocated for sidewalks, but engineers estimate $700,000 is needed for the first phase, setting off a discussion about securing the remaining $400,000. Trustees emphasized that the initiative is focused on rebuilding existing sidewalks, not adding new ones at this time.

Residents offered thoughtful and passionate input during the public comment portion. Elizabeth Lawrence thanked village leadership for listening to residents and urged a multi-year plan, ideally within five years, to replace all asphalt sidewalks with concrete. She referenced successful work around the library as an example. She also noted that deteriorating sidewalks pose “a legal liability and a hazardous condition, especially for those with special needs.” Fox Meadow resident Marian Green voiced strong support for concrete, calling it an investment with an “immediate ROI and long term” impact, while urging the Board not to allow the project to become a slow, incremental “drip, drip, drip” process. Mayor Arest assured her that this is not the intention.

Longtime resident Barbara Greenbel, who has lived in Scarsdale for 60 years and recalls the construction of the original sidewalks, expressed satisfaction with the improvements near the library and pond, and asked the Board to examine the sidewalks on Fenimore Road. Resident Tom Schiera spoke about the need for safer crosswalks at Popham and Church Lane, sharing that his son, who has since recovered, was hit by a car on his electric bicycle at that location. Via Zoom, Susan Matula echoed the community’s gratitude and noted that while sidewalk maintenance has been underfunded for years, she is encouraged that this Board “appreciates the problem at hand and is ready to open the purse strings.”

After the meeting, Marian Green, Chair of the Scarsdale Advisory Council of People with Disabilities, noted that it has taken eight months of steady work to reach this point and said she left the meeting feeling optimistic. She emphasized that while the effort may have been initiated because people with disabilities struggle to navigate the deteriorated sidewalks, “It will enhance all pedestrian safety, from commuters, school children, parents, joggers, walk-to-worshippers, dog walkers, and anyone else who enjoys the pleasure of walking.”

In the end, the meeting marked a meaningful step toward safer, longer-lasting sidewalks and while funding and phasing details remain ahead, the shared commitment from village leaders and residents suggests that Scarsdale is finally on a real path to progress and lasting improvements.