Are you talking about the actual sidewalk area that is being torn out or the area between the sidewalk and the street?
I would think that the sidewalk tearout area would be ok, as long as they have not filled it with sand and set the forms for a new pour of concrete.
I think the strip between the sidewalk and the street is actually considered city property with the landowners having to maintain it. Most landowners ( I would think) would consider that their parcel, so you may have to ask about that.