RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Some Richmond residents are frustrated by the build-up of leaves along neighborhood streets in the Museum District.
Residents like Bruce Milam, who parks his car outside his home, only to see leaves that fell months ago and gone uncollected.
“The leaves fell late but the leaves didn’t fall until late November, early December,” Milam said. “And they’ve remained where they have fallen.”
Once the leaves did fall, Milam bagged his yard waste for pickup, hoping the city would take care of the street.
“There’s a lot of complaints about it,” Milam said. “Not just in the Fan and Museum District, but going west all the way to the city line.”
But Richmond’s Department of Public Works tells 8News its the residents that are responsible for maintenance — from their property line to the middle of the road.
DPW says the leaf collection and street cleaning efforts are actually separate programs. Street cleaning happens year-round on a rotating basis. For the past two years, its offered leaf vacuuming, but residents have to pay for it. Taxpayers like Bruce Milam, who aren’t happy with the change.
“In the old system the city came by about twice every fall and got all the leaves,” he said.
DPW says its working with the city’s public utilities to address clogged drains in the metro area. But some residents, are hoping the leaf problems will be fixed as well.
“I would like to see the city come back and clean the streets again after the leaves fall,” Milam said. “Instead of before they fall.”
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