TOLEDO, Ohio — For over six decades, Anna Geiner has called the South Erie neighborhood in Toledo home. However, in recent years, she’s watched a once-thriving community fall into disrepair. One particular property, located at the corner of Erie and Harrison, has become a symbol of the neighborhood’s ongoing decline.
For more than 15 years, the property has been left in a state of disarray, with a front porch covered in overgrown tree limbs, a wide-open door, and visible damage to the structure, making it a prime target for animals and intruders. Geiner, who has witnessed the gradual decay of her neighborhood, expressed frustration with the situation.
“It’s a disaster, and it’s been like that for years,” Geiner said, her voice tinged with a mix of sadness and anger. “I’m very upset about my neighborhood. It was such a nice neighborhood.”
The condition of the property has not gone unnoticed by city officials. Court records show that the city took the property owners to court back in 2010 over the ongoing issues, but despite legal action, little progress has been made. Neighbors have longed for a resolution, with many simply wanting the property cleaned up to restore some sense of order to the area.
“There are trees on the front porch, there are trees on the curb,” Geiner noted. “The door has been open for a long, long time.”
The city’s most recent efforts began earlier this year. After receiving a complaint in January, the city posted orders on the property, urging the owners to take action and address the neglected condition. Though a pile of trash was removed from the curb following the intervention, the house itself remains in a state of disrepair.
In an effort to mitigate the risk to public safety, the city has submitted work orders to have the property boarded up. However, the damage to the home and the surrounding area remains a glaring issue, with residents like Geiner questioning how long it will take for any substantial change to occur.
“It’s awful,” Geiner said, summing up the sentiment shared by many in the neighborhood.
While the city continues to pursue solutions and attempts to hold the property owners accountable, residents are left waiting for a resolution that seems to be years in the making. For those like Geiner, the hope is that the property will eventually be cleaned up, bringing much-needed relief to a neighborhood that has seen better days.