Arc working with city to battle blighted areas
City of Washington officials kicked off the first week of the season with a spring cleaning.
Crews from Arc Human Services worked Monday to clear a sidewalk on Shaefer Avenue that was overgrown with grass, weeds and debris.
Washington contracted with Arc in January for help in cleaning up blighted properties and abandoned sites.
“It’s a fantastic partnership. You’re going to see a lot more of this,” Councilman Joe Manning said.
With only a small budget to tackle multiple blighted areas, Manning forged the relationship with Arc, an organization that provides support and services to people with disabilities through job-training programs, residential services, vocational rehabilitation programs, employment and transportation.
Upon reaching the agreement, James Settembrino, director of Arc Human Services, said the venture would be mutually beneficial for the city and Arc, providing clients with needed job training.
Manning said the work comes at no cost to city taxpayers. The goal is to get the abandoned properties cleaned up and sell them. When all liens are satisfied, the city would give a portion of the profit to Arc.
“(City officials) are going to be more proactive in going out and trying to identify problem areas,” Manning said.