CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Plaza Midwood residents are calling for the City of Charlotte to fix a storm drainage project they say is wreaking havoc on their neighborhood.
The $27.5 million upgrade aims to reduce flooding by improving the stream system in the neighborhoods off Central Avenue. However, neighbors say the project has worsened flooding issues and wiped out trees.
"The neighborhood was very private. Thousands of trees all around. You couldn’t see from one block to another. So now it’s completely clear," a resident named Adam said. "It’s sad.”
Another neighbor, Liz, said the creek that runs through their neighborhood was widened by about eight feet and is now backing up to her home.
"Any and all erosion is going to come onto my property,” Liz said.
Both Liz and Adam, neither of which wanted to provide WCNC Charlotte with their last name, said the lack of trees is now making flooding worse on their street. They said without enough plants, the rain creates excess water.
"During the hurricane, I sat by my window and looked out the entire time worried that [the creek] would overflow," Liz shared.
As part of the solution, they’d like to see more than a thousand trees planted on the city-owned property that is along the creek and next to their houses.
"We need the city to make good and remediate the ecosystem here so we can be sustainable as well,” said Adam.
The city’s Storm Water Services responded to their concerns. Spokesperson Alyssa Dodd wrote to WCNC Charlotte that, "Stream stabilization often requires removal of vegetation (including invasive plant species) and trees along the stream corridor.”
In their place, 6,000 small trees, called live stakes, are being planted in the creek. Dodd said the live stakes will take time to grow but the long-term result will improve water quality and reduce erosion.
Residents are hoping city leaders will help them preserve charlotte’s dwindling tree canopy in their own backyard. A petition called “Protect Plaza Midwood” has nearly 300 signatures regarding this issue and residents plan to bring it to the city council meeting Monday night.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.