How long does it take to get a one-block, grass alley paved?

In Trenton, it's been over 10 years that Villa Park resident John Swem has been waiting.

It was back in 2008 when city officials informed him via a letter that the alley behind his Emmet Avenue home in Villa Park - Sage Alley - was scheduled to be paved.

And now he's waiting on new Mayor Reed Gusciora to hopefully get it done.

Gusciora should be familiar with the alley.

In 2008, while a state assemblyman, Gusciora came to Swem's aid, writing to Trenton officials on his behalf, urging them to pave the alley.

The city wrote back to Gusciora, who passed it to Swem, and reported: "I am happy to include (Sage) Alley as part of the City of Trenton's upcoming 2008 paving season."

It was signed by Eric Jackson, then director of public works, who Gusciora just succeeded as mayor.

In the letter, Jackson explained that almost all of the other alleys in the East Ward had been paved, but the city had to move on to other alleys in other areas of the city.

Jackson also wrote that he knows Swem, had worked with him in the community, and said he was an "asset" to the city.

"Please assure him that we will pave that alley during the 2008 paving season," Jackson wrote.

It never happened.

The exchange with Jackson and Gusciora is just one of the many Swem has had over the years. He's shown up at City Hall and talked with public works officials, written letters to everyone imaginable and has yet to hear someone - anyone - answer the basic questions:

So what's the deal? When's it going to be done?

Trenton resident has been after city hall for years to pave an alley behind his well-kept home 7 Gallery: Trenton resident has been after city hall for years to pave an alley behind his well-kept home

Jackson could not be reached for comment Tuesday, and Gusciora did not immediately respond on this issue.

"It's frustrating," Swem said Tuesday. "All those years that it should have been done."

And, Swem says, nobody seems to be explain anything - ever. "They just don't comment. Nothing."

Swem has live in the Emmet Avenue home his entire life. He's almost 53.

He wants Sage Alley paved for a lot of reasons.

First, the city said it would.

But mostly, it's for appearance and cleanliness.

It's overgrown a lot - less so in the winter - but it can be impassible to vehicles, although tire tracks mat down the growth in spots.

It can be riddled with trash and bugs, and some homeowners do not cut or trim it. It's not really their responsibility, he says, but years ago more of his neighbors helped prune it.

The city will not collect trash in Sage Alley - one of the reason for an alley, Swem notes - and in times of snow, plows will not dare start down the alley.

And it just looks awful.

Swem is hoping Gusciora will be swift in his actions.

In another of those letters - Swem has kept them all - the now-mayor and still then assemblyman wrote to Trenton public works again, in June 2016, asking why the job had not been completed in 2008.

"We are contacting you to check on the status of this project in response to constituent inquiries," Gusciora wrote. "I would greatly appreciate your comments on this matter and the status of any ... action."

Maybe he could answer it himself now, now that he's mayor, Swem said.

"I'd like him to come out and see it," Swem said.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find NJ.com on Facebook.