I wanted to add a picture of the area. It is the median area between I-40 and Tryon Road.

We've completed a fair amount of work on these medians.

Really? This area is a mess. I wish this would allow me to put more pictures up. There are roots sticking out of the ground, a sign juat laying there, trash and untrimmed trees.

I'll refer this back to the Parks staff, to see if we have any plans for further work out here.

There have been several vehicle accidents, and fires from lit cigarettes that damaged plants in this median resulting in there removal. Our plant replacement budgets were reduced several years ago due to the weak economy. We had requested this median be included with the Wilmington Street landscape renovation but there was not sufficient funding. This median was also not included in the Southern Gateway project that goes from 440 into down town a few years ago.

Because of the location we have to close travel lanes for staff to safely pick up litter in this median. During the mowing season we try to keep the damaged plants removed and schedule extensive work for the winter work program starting in November and continuing through March. Over the past several years right of way maintenance responsibilities have increase and staffing levels were reduced due to budget constraints. This has resulted in longer frequency between service cycles. Our Roads are on a 3 to 5 year cycle for mulching, pruning and bed renovation during the winter work program. This median is on this year’s winter work plan for the month of December. Our Parks staff are working with the Planning Department to get this road and several others on a list of potential streetscape renovation projects. We'd love to be able to get to everything across the City, but the economic downturn has really stretched the public resources very thin. Hopefully we will have some luck moving this up the priority list in the next couple of years.

Thank you.