Why does Modesto think Caltrans can help it reduce blight in its public spaces?
The dumping of broken furniture and busted appliances along city streets and other examples of blight are among Modesto residents’ top concerns, according to the city. And that includes the roughly 300 tons of dumped junk the city has hauled away annually.
Modesto believes it can take a big bite out of blight by starting what is called a bulky item pickup program for people who live in apartments. It would be similar to the program the city provides residents of single-family homes.
These residents can put out old furniture, appliances and similar items along their curbs twice a year and a city trash hauler will pick them up. The cost of the service is included in residents’ monthly garbage bills. More information about the program can be found at www.modestogov.com/373/Bulky-Item-Pick-Up.
Public Works Director Bill Sandhu said in an interview that he estimates roughly half of the 300 tons of illegal dumping in the city each year is related to apartment complexes.
The City Council recently authorized Public Works to ask the California Department of Transportation for as much as $1 million from its Clean California Local Grant Program.
If awarded the funding, Modesto would use the money for two projects: launching a bulky item pickup program for the city’s roughly 456 apartment complexes and beautifying a bare strip of land it owns in west Modesto that children use on their way to and from school and that other people use as a dumping ground.
Caltrans states on its website for this grant program that its goals are to reduce waste and debris in public spaces, beautify public spaces, improve public spaces for walking and recreation and advance equity for underserved communities.
The city’s property is a roughly 12-yard-wide, 100-yard-long stretch of dirt that connects Rouse Avenue with Yellow Pine Drive.
The property connects neighborhoods to elementary schools, shopping, parks and bus stops, according to a city report. But it also is a prime example of blight that requires the city to often respond to reports of graffiti, litter and dumping, according to the report.
The vacant lot is at 1850 Rouse Ave., and nearby resident Janneth Vasquez said she likes the idea of improving it. The city envisions turning it into a mini-version of the Virginia Corridor, its popular paved walking trail. That would include adding grass, drought-resistant landscaping, outdoor exercise stations and lighting.
She said lots of children use the lot to and from school. Vasquez said the lot is a frequent spot for dumpers. The lot was barren Thursday, but Vasquez said someone had dumped a load of mattresses earlier in the week. Vasquez said she also sees piles of clothing, trash and furniture.
Sandhu said the city’s preliminary estimates are that it would cost $600,000 to $700,000 to remake the dirt lot and $200,000 to $300,000 to launch a bulky item pickup program for apartments.
Subsidize service for first year
The city report states it would take Modesto a year to develop the program. That includes surveying property owners and managers and holding forums for apartment residents. The city would hold six workshops for property owners of different-sized complexes to talk about their challenges. The city also would hold a forum for property owners and trash haulers to consider proposed solutions.
The city would use some of the grant to subsidize the first year of a program for apartment residents. It would then work with its trash haulers to develop a fee for apartment complexes to cover the cost of the program. And the city would conduct an outreach and education campaign about the program.
Caltrans’ Clean California website states the grants are due in February, and Caltrans expects to announce who will receive funding in March.
These are competitive grants. Sandhu said Modesto will submit a very competitive application.
When asked why Modesto can’t start a bulky item pickup for apartments without the grant, Sandhu said Modesto does not have the funding. He said if the city is not awarded funding, it would continue to look at its options to start a bulky item pickup program and to beautify its dirt lot off Rouse Avenue.
This story was originally published February 1, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
