BELMONT, N.C. - People in Belmont, North Carolina said they're fed up with an out-of-town landlord who's allowing the popular Main Street Crossing shopping center to fall into disrepair.
The property is located at the corner of Main Street and Wilkinson Boulevard. It's home to restaurants, supply stores and an Aldi grocery store.
Shoppers and city leaders said the center has multiple problems including potholes in the parking lot, litter and non-functioning lights.
"[It] becomes a safety issue at night with a lot of the employees leaving late at night," Belmont Police Captain Joe Quinn said.
Shopper Annette Deese said she enjoys coming to the complex, but it needs upgrades.
"The parking needs to be repaved, and some of the awnings need to be repainted," Deese said. "Other than that, I'm happy with the center."
City leaders said it spent some of its own tax dollars maintaining the shopping center's landscape and cleaning up trash, and they will ultimately bill the property owner for the upkeep.
However, the city said the owner hasn't responded to any of its code enforcement actions.
NBC Charlotte left messages for the landlord, who has a New York City phone number, and is waiting to hear back.