University City’s highways will soon receive extra TLC.

Starting this spring, University City Partners will pay a contractor to clean up litter along North Tryon Street, W.T. Harris Boulevard and parts of other major roadways within University City’s Municipal Service District.

The contractor will also work with property owners to keep grass mowed near the curb.

Work crews will focus on North Tryon Street between the I-85 connector and Mallard Creek Church Road; on W.T. Harris Boulevard between University City Boulevard and Mallard Creek Road; and on stretches of other major arterials throughout University City’s Municipal Service District, said Tobe Holmes, with UCP.

“We’ve got a group under contract, and I expect to see quick advances on our issue within a month,” Holmes said.

More litter than state can handle

Holmes said that the state of North Carolina picks up litter and mows rights-of-way two-three times each year along state-maintained roadways, including North Tryon Street and Harris Boulevard.

“Due to the massive amount of land under their management, their efforts can’t keep up” with the volume of litter along North Tryon and Harris, Holmes said. “Our supplemental efforts aim to ensure that University City remains beautiful throughout the year.”

Mowing will be done on an as-needed basis and aimed mostly at publicly owned areas and the edges of sidewalks. The contractor will also work with property owners to keep their land mowed and free from litter.

Holmes said that some owners do not realize that they are responsible for the strips of land between the street and nearby sidewalks and parking lots. The contractor will notify private property owners of this responsibility and report repeat offenders to the city’s code enforcement department.

You can help, too

• Adopt A Street – University City Partners hopes to involve the public in keeping our main streets looking good, by encouraging local organizations and businesses to “Adopt A Street.” To learn more, contact Tobe Holmes at tholmes@universitycitypartners.org.
• Call 311 – If you see tall grass or litter on property along Charlotte streets, call 311 or 704-336-7600 to report the problem to city of Charlotte’s code enforcement department.