When it rains, water sheds to the west off the B-Line and drops sediment on the sidewalk along Kirkwood. It seems preferable that the water would shed toward Morton Street where the storm water drains can do their job. The sediment deposit from the rain last week is still covering the sidewalk on the north side of Kirkwood.
The city has removed a recent encampment by the corner of Wylie and S Walnut. The person camping and blocking the sidewalk along the wood fence by the second house from the corner on the north side of Wylie has been allowed to remain despite having built a permanent campsite with increasing belongings for many weeks now. This campsite is used daily including overnight which is against city policies.
Sidewalks along S Westplex Ave in front of the Wheeler Mission are continuously occupied by, on average, 10 to 20 unhoused people living in their parked cars and sleeping on the sidewalk, causing obstructions to the road and sidewalk for residents of the Westplex apartment complex and retirement community.
The entire next block on East Third (three houses) from my corner (3501 E 3rd) is covered with snow. But WORSE THAN THAT is the steep snow on the corner leading into that block, from the city plows that throw it aside, and it collects and collects. Two days ago I got STUCK in the heavy wet snow on the corner of East Third and Morningside (not my block, but the adjacent one going towards the car dealership) … and I could not move! The snow was so heavy and wet that I couldn’t get out of it! I had to ROLL DOWN INTO MONRINGSIDE DRIVE, then get on my knees, and thank God, finally push my way up with my hands from the ground. I am 76. This was embarassing and dangerous. I notified the Mayor. Her secretary April was gracious and said that I should file a ureport. So this is my report and I’m am MORE UPSET with the city plows and the huge mess left on street corners, than I am upset with my three neighboring houses. Yes, they NEED to shovel their sidewalks. But from what I was told from a Bloomingfoods Manager (Jacob) it is the city’s responsibility to clean the curbs! I don’t drive, so I need to be able to walk when it snows. Check MY DRIVEWAY and my sidewalk. I always shovel or have it shoveled. That is my responsibility. Please check into that block and give them the reminder that they need to hire it done or do it themselves. And please do something about your responsibility on these heavy curbs filled with snow plow snow.
Out front of the iMechanic shop there is a growing encampment that is taking over the scooter corral and the sidewalk.
The sidewalk & public sitting bench are taken over by huge tarps covering shopping carts etc of personal belongings.
Commercial tent is setup, possibly distributing electronic devices. The sidewalk is blocked by traffic of customers. City curbs shouldn't be used for private commerce without permit and traffic plan.
There is a homeless camp that has formed on the sidewalk and curb. The area is a safety hazard with the open air drug market of Seminary Park across the street and now there's a mushrooming number of folks under the influence of drugs that are camped out around the clock on the sidewalk/curb.
There is a tent setup on the curb doing some sort of commerce and the customers and staff are taking over the sidewalk, blocking pedestrian paths.
An increasing number of individuals are sleeping on the sidewalk every night along with their belongings. They are shielded from view & passing cars by presence of the tree planter. These people inevitably need to use the bathroom throughout the course of the night and do so on the surrounding properties leaving fecal messes all around - both an unsanitary hazard and burden on those who have to clean it up. In the mornings when they leave the area there is always a sizeable mess of garbage, clothing, personal belongings, needles... left behind on the sidewalk, tree planter ledge and surrounding areas.