Mayor unveils 3rd Model Block effort

7/8/2008

Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner yesterday announced the city's third 2008 Model Block cleanup effort for a West Toledo neighborhood.

Under the program, city employees clean streets and alleys, trim trees, enforce nuisance laws, and serve criminal warrants.

The new Toledo Model Block area is bounded by West Sylvania Avenue, Lyman Avenue, Royalton Road, and Westway Street.

The mayor also announced that the city's neighborhood and environmental services departments will partner with the Lucas County Solid Waste Management District for hazardous-materials disposal.

The city will set up a site in the neighborhood, which is known as Library Village, for people to drop off such materials as paint, car batteries, corrosives, and household chemicals.

Mr. Finkbeiner said the city would raze dilapidated homes, mow uncut lots, trim trees, clean alleys, remove junk vehicles, and repair potholes. There also will be extra police patrols in the area, he said.

The mayor made the announcement in front of 4046 Lyman, where a Nov. 28 fire killed a mother, her two daughters, and her son. The house is slated to be torn down by a private contractor within a few weeks.

"This is one of our really, terrifically stable neighborhoods for young people," Mr. Finkbeiner said.

Councilman Lindsay Webb, whose district includes Library Village, said the area has a very strong Block Watch program.

"I am very proud of Library Village," she said. "The housing stock in the neighborhood is exceptional, but the economy as of late has really taken a toll."

The city collected 8,000 pounds of debris, removed 65 tires, painted 14 fire hydrants, and replaced 31 street signs during its previous Model Block campaign in the area bounded by Stickney and Bronson avenues and D and Paxton streets.