In 2006, all new street lamps were installed and sidewalk repairs undertaken, to maintain the quality of life in the neighborhood.

If that seems too trivial, consider sidewalk repairs.

A separate $900,000 bond measure to finance sidewalk repairs will be expedited, he said, and should be awarded by this summer.

A 1951 drawing, filed for more sidewalk repairs, shows this clock with the decorative bezel that is now in place.

"There is mandatory sidewalk repair near Brooklyn College that hasn't been done," Ms. King said.

Until about 10 years ago, they were solely responsible for sidewalk repairs.

The authorities were investigating whether they should have known the tree was a danger because of damage from termites and sidewalk repairs.

Short of devoting the entire city budget to sidewalk repair, it is hard to imagine how all the defects noted by Big Apple could be addressed.

In addition it cut salaries, halted spending on improvements such as sidewalk repairs and proposed a tax increase, officials said.

More than four years of street work was completed last week, and all that remains are minor sidewalk repairs.