Neva-Wood Area Residents Cleaning Up Ice Storm Debris

Nevada-Lidgerwood was the only North Side neighborhood to take advantage of the March free dumping program sponsored by the city and county to rid their alleys, streets and yards of ice storm debris.

Two dumpsters were stationed at different parks each weekend.

“We literally had people carrying debris by the armfuls or dragging limbs down the street,” said Sandy Smith, a Nevada-Lidgerwood steering committee member.

“We went into the neighborhoods with volunteers in trucks to help the elderly or disabled with their cleanup,” she said. “People were so appreciative of our efforts.”

The March ice storm cleanup was a separate project from the regular neighborhood cleanup. In Nevada-Lidgerwood it was a joint effort between the neighborhood council, steering committee and Neva-Wood COPS.

The free dumping was only for branches and yard waste.

Community Development neighborhoods are eligible to apply for an additional $5,000 from the City of Spokane Solid Waste Department for cleaning up household trash, junk and construction debris.

The money can be applied to curbside collection, dumpsters, old appliance pickup or passes that can be exchanged at the burner or transfer stations, said Greg Caballero, commercial district supervisor.

Many Nevada-Lidgerwood residents took advantage of the free dumping in March.

“I’ve traveled through our neighborhood and it looks a lot better, but there is still a lot out there,” said Smith.

“The problem areas are rentals and vacant lots, they just aren’t getting attention. Those property owners should be aware that they need to get out there and clean,” she said.

Overall, Smith said the project was positive.

“The cleanup effort was quite successful, I thought,” she said.

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