ORLANDO, Fla.,None — People in an Orlando neighborhood are upset at the city for digging up their front yards to put in new sidewalks.
The controversial sidewalks are going in along Stryker Street, near West Colonial Drive.
A city spokeswoman said the sidewalk is needed to accommodate all the walkers. But neighbors WFTV spoke with said they don't want them so close to their homes.
Ann Burton said she isn't ready for the day she looks out her bedroom window and sees people walking close by.
"They put it here, they might as well put it inside my house," she said.
Crews spent the day ripping up Burton's front lawn to make way for a new sidewalk.
"We'll accept the sidewalk if they will put the sidewalk over by the curb," said resident Levardis Burton.
Instead, it's going in roughly 15 to 20 feet from the roadway.
The city apparently already had plans to put in sidewalks because every driveway in this neighborhood already has marks that indicate where the sidewalks go.
The construction is part of the city's $2 million Orlando Walks sidewalk installation program.
More than 18 miles will go in all over the city.
A city spokeswoman said the sidewalk along Stryker Street will facilitate safe pedestrian activity in an area close to a school and community center.
"It feels like they're intruding on your property that they say belongs to the city," said Levardis Burton.
City officials were in the neighborhood Wednesday morning to hear residents' concerns.
The money for the sidewalks comes from the federal government.
WFTV
