Brickbats

A Concrete Proposal

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Janitor Jesus Barajas saved for 30 years to build his dream house on a piece of property he owns in Seattle. But he's going to have to downsize his plans thanks to a new city ordinance. The law requires him to build a sidewalk outside his home. The estimated cost is about $15,000. City officials admit it will be the only sidewalk in the area, probably for decades. They also admit the law as aimed at big developers. But they say they are powerless to waive the rules.