CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Overgrown, dumpy and disgusting was how Pete Godley described nine acres owned by Mecklenburg County in west Charlotte.
The land is across Reno Avenue from the industrial park the Godley family has owned for years.
"It was so unsightly. It detracted from the park and several of the tenants had complained about it," he said.
Godley contacted the I-Team in September, and we went to the county for answers.
Mark Hahn, the director of Mecklenburg County Real Estate Services, said he knew the Reno Avenue land needed attention, but didn't know it had gotten so bad. He also said he was waiting on final adjustments to the new medical examiner's office, which had recently been completed next door. The leftover money from that project would then pay for cleanup on the rest of the land.
Hahn also promised to take action. "Now that we're aware of the problem, thanks to you telling us about it, we're going to be able to address the replacement of the fence," he said at the time.
Hahn promised and he kept his word. We checked back, and found the dumped tires and broken fence gone. Crews also removed overgrown trees and shrubs. A new fence is up to keep trespassers and trash dumpers out.
To say the least, Godley and the people who lease space in his industrial park, are pleased with the outcome.
"I didn't think it could actually look this good. But it looks a lot better and my tenants are all really happy with it. You really helped. You really did. I couldn't have done it without you," Godley said.
Godley contacted NewsChannel 36 because he felt he'd exhausted his options. Like this one, many of the stories we cover come from viewers and readers like you. If you have something you want us to check out, send an email to news@wcnc.com.
