EDITORIAL SIDEWALKS OF L.A. SUCCESS OF COST-SHARING FIX-IT PROGRAM SHOWS YEARS OF INFRASTRUCTURE NEGLECT.

OF all the things to generate excitement in Los Angeles, the capital of glitz itself, who knew sidewalk repair would be one of them?

But that's exactly what city officials have discovered. Since the 50-50 Sidewalk Program started in July, 500 property owners have applied for the pleasure of going Dutch to have the city repair the sidewalks crossing their property lines. It was a bigger response than the city was prepared to take on, and now people are being turned away.

The overwhelming response to the program makes two things clear: First, residents are willing to pay extra to get something specific done, rather than just endure a general tax hike that will get lost in the vast and unaccountable city bureaucracy. In fact, the city has already collected $800,000 from residents even though it's far behind in the repairs.

But what it also shows is the appalling level of City Hall neglect over the decades that has allowed the city's infrastructure to crumble. Of the 10,750 miles of sidewalk crossing Los Angeles, about 4,600 miles need repairs. That's a terrible track record.

There ought to be no question of continuing this program into the next fiscal year, or even expanding it so no one is turned away. If some residents are willing to foot half the bill to repair the sidewalks - something that is a fundamental city duty - then the least the city can do is oblige.