Property owners in Greensboro want trash dumping issues fixed

GUILFORD COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — One street leading into downtown continues to be a problem spot since it is littered with trash.

It’s been five days since city leaders and a team of 30 people went to East Washington Street after getting several complaints. Nearby business owners say days later, the problems still remain.

A man who owns property on East Washington Street said he was glad the city led a safety check last week. Days have passed, and he feels like that was a short-term solution to an ongoing problem.

“The trash is consistent. It’s a daily thing,” said Phillip Marsh, the property owner across the street from the Interactive Resource Center.

Marsh says the trash just keeps piling up.

The piece of property he owns on East Washington Street has become an illegal dumping site. He thinks it all stems from the nearby IRC.

“If you have 200 people moving through this area … and don’t have a permanent home to keep their personal items … that can become one person’s personal item is another person’s clutter trash,” Marsh said.

He said the city’s visit five days ago wasn’t enough and wants a long-term solution.

Greensboro’s Code Compliance said they rely on nuisance complaints to conduct routine safety checks to address these concerns.

The issue of the trash and who is responsible remains the big question.

“It’s kind of being generated over time … Littering is something you got to be caught in the act of doing,” Greensboro Code Compliance Manager Larry Roberts.

While some point their fingers at the IRC, the city has not yet addressed this with them directly.

“We’ve never had any official like sit down and talks, but I do know in the future, there’ll probably be some meetings addressing some potential improvement in certain areas,” Roberts said.

At this time, no one has been arrested or cited for dumping trash on East Washington Street.

Marsh said he is continuing communication with city leaders and looking for a long-term solution.

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