East Cleveland neighborhood sees cleanup progress, residents hope for more

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A lot that used to be filled with trash is now clear. A street covered in potholes now has fresh asphalt.

A woman living across the street says the improvements on Potomac Avenue came a few weeks after a story from 19 News.

Trucks arrived at the beginning of May to clean out the lot.

“It’s not at all the same, not at all the same.”

Maldria, who grew up on the street, said the recent work gives her hope, after watching the area fall into disrepair for so long.

“It’s a good feeling, maybe the city is coming back. I see a lot of rebuilding,” she said.

Grass is growing where trash used to fill lots.

Patches have smoothed out the road.

But Maldria said abandoned houses still break her heart.

“Hopefully, in the next two to five years we see a difference. I’m praying that we do, I see a difference; it’s coming back slowly but surely,” she said.

Residents want cleanup to expand

She and others living in the area are hoping the work extends one street over to Northfield Avenue.

Following reporting from 19 News, potholes on that street were patched last month, but piles of trash continue to grow.

Large pieces of garbage are threatening to fall onto the sidewalk and road.

Tires are stacked in piles.

Road conditions and abandoned houses remain on the list of concerns residents want addressed.

When asked what it would mean to see not just one street but a neighborhood cleaned up, Maldria said it would be almost like a dream.

“Oh my God, I mean it would be unbelievable, almost like a dream you know?” she said.

19 News reached out to the city’s line for reporting illegal dumping took down the area information and said it would be forwarded to the director and the mayor’s office.