Project ‘Clean Cut’ targets untidy lots

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Pearsall city staff are encouraging residents to work collectively in a joint effort to clean up weedy properties that have become an eyesore.
Yolanda Moran, assistant city manager, told councilors that “Project Clean Cut” is set to begin in July with city crews tackling three of the eight lots that have been identified by the code enforcement officer as needing immediate attention.
“This is a community initiative program,” Moran said during a meeting on Tuesday, June 11. “We are addressing weedy lots because demolition is more of a lengthy and legal process. These lots were identified because no owner or heirs have come forward.”
City Hall reports that overgrown properties have been identified at 615 South Mulberry Street, 721 West Brazos Street, 505 E Rio Grande Street, 606 South Apple Street, 1217 E Comal Street, 1325 West Brazos Street, 118 North Bryan Street, and 807 West San Marcos Street.

The city of Pearsall is launching an initiative to rally for the clean-up of abandoned or dilapidated properties and those with overgrown weeds and brush as well as accumulated trash, and is looking for volunteers to help energize the effort.

The initiative focuses on three goals, including coordination and community engagement, which Moran said will be accomplished through four public meetings to address areas in the community that are bleak and a blight.
Moran said the second goal is to create metrics, maps and cost analyses for the city to track vacant properties and the city’s expenditures.
“Part of the goal is to develop a program and procedures for the next fiscal year,” the assistant city manager said.
City Manager Federico Reyes said the project will cost the city $3,000 to $5,000 per lot, but the price tag does not include labor.
The third goal addresses vacant lots and buildings, and redevelopment.
According to Moran, the city will conduct an analysis of vacancies and dilapidated properties that will be addressed in the public meetings.
City crews will begin work on the lots that sit on Bryan, San Marcos and Mulberry streets in July. Moran said three more lots will be targeted in August and the remaining two in September.
“The ultimate goal is to clean the community up,” Reyes said, “and get the land owners to take responsibility. It is a health and safety issue. We are hoping to get some community help.”