SPOKANE, Wash. — Business owners near the Ridpath Apartments in downtown Spokane are calling for increased city action to address persistent problems with trash and drug use in the area.
Mark Kartchner, who owns Kartchner Engineering across from the Ridpath, said he regularly picks up trash outside his building, though he believes the litter problem has improved over the last few months. However, he remains concerned about drug activity and overdoses he witnesses near his business.
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“It’s confusing. I don’t understand why that can’t be enforced a little bit,” Kartchner said. “We had an ambulance under the viaduct yesterday because we had an overdose there.”
Kartchner said he has contacted both city and county officials multiple times about the issues but remains frustrated with the lack of results.
“I know it’s complicated. I know it’s hard, but this is a real problem. When we voted for mayor, it’s what mattered the most. It still matters and I’m not seeing changes from them,” he said.
On Wednesday, The Downtown Spokane Partnership’s Clean Team went out and picked up trash in the area. Nearby business owners say such programs make a significant difference in maintaining cleanliness.
“I see [the Clean Team] almost every day. They try really hard. And if there’s times over a weekend when things are really bad, I call them and they come. I’m impressed with the clean team and their focus. They’re always around and always trying.”
According to the city, code enforcement officers begin their workdays in the Ridpath area to address ongoing concerns. The city also said, in October, its Homeless Outreach Team will shift to a new model where it will have a dedicated team downtown.
A community block party and cleanup event, hosted by The Missing Piece Tattoo Studio, will also take place in the coming weeks.
More than 30 businesses have signed up to participate in the cleanup effort, which will focus on the downtown section from 1st Avenue to Riverside Avenue.
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