As various communities in the city attempted to deal with the aftermath of the storm, some areas were clear sooner than others and some sidewalks remain under snow at time of press.
Residents of Franklin Park and Greenbelt Station apartments say they dealt with uncleared snow and ice for nearly two weeks following the recent winter storm.
Residents say these hazardous conditions have led to falls, limited accessibility for people with disabilities and delayed return to school for children.
However, according to Franklin Park, salt, sand, snow-removal contractors and equipment were secured in advance to begin snow removal without delays.
“Snow removal operations began as soon as conditions allowed,” said Denise Knight, general manager of Franklin Park. “Some areas experienced more severe accumulation and icing than others, which required additional time and resources to address safely and effectively.”
Due to the rapid freezing and quick formation of ‘snowcrete,’ their equipment and labor force was not enough. “Equipment was strained by these conditions, requiring us to increase manpower and bring in additional contractors to continue operations,” said Knight.
This was a similar issue across the city and state.
Warnings Issued
Director of Planning and Community Development Terri Hruby told the News Review that Community Development issued verbal warnings and notice of violations to several properties, primarily apartment complexes and home owners associations, during the first two weeks following the storm. To date, no citations had been issued. Enforcement efforts will continue this week, said Hruby on Monday, including issuing fines when warranted.
Greenbelt requires snow removal 48 hours after the weather event before providing notice of violations and citations. Nearby College Park requires removal after 24 hours. One College Park resident who comes to Greenbelt for work shared their warning notice to clear the public sidewalk in front of their house that was issued on January 29, with a compliance date of February 5.
Responsibilities
Homeowners are responsible for sidewalks in front of their property but in apartment complexes, the landlords or management companies are. Thus, across the city responsibilities varied from individuals to apartment complexes and HOAs.
Residents took it upon themselves to clear sidewalks in crucial areas regardless of responsibility. Ameerah Bridges, a Franklin Park resident, said she shoveled out her own car Monday morning after the storm because no maintenance crews had arrived. “We didn’t have salt over here,” Bridges said. “Neighbors were shoveling out. [Maintenance was] nowhere to be found.”
Bridges, who has multiple sclerosis and uses a cane at times, said she is not supposed to shovel due to her disability but felt she had no alternative. She said when plows eventually arrived, salt was applied and then scraped away, leaving behind solid ice.
Travel Difficult
According to Bridges, Breezewood Drive was reduced to a single lane after the storm, and Metro buses avoided their usual route through the complex.
Snowbanks near sidewalks created visibility issues for children walking to and from Greenbelt Middle School, which reopened on Wednesday, February 4, said Bridges. “You can’t really see the children,” Bridges said. “Drivers can’t see them because the mounds are so high.”
Because of road and sidewalk conditions, Bridges delayed sending her daughter back to school. Although schools reopened with a two-hour delay on Wednesday, February 4, Bridges said her daughter’s first day back at Greenbelt Middle School was Thursday.
Springhill Lake Elementary is also located in Franklin Park and the sidewalk opposite the school was filled with snow and ice when schools reopened.
Carla Gordon, another resident of the apartment complex, said along Springhill Drive sidewalks connecting parking lots to residential buildings were not cleared until late February 6, nearly two weeks after the storm.
“We did not have sidewalks giving us accessibility from the parking lots to anything other than the main entrances,” Gordon said.
Treacherous Conditions
Gordon said she and her daughter both slipped and fell on ice outside their building. Her daughter sustained injuries that required ongoing treatment. “It was extremely treacherous,” Gordon said. She said she contacted Franklin Park management February 6 with photos and video documenting the conditions. Sidewalks were cleared later that night, but she said large patches of ice remained untreated. “There are still areas that need to be salted or sanded,” she said.
Gordon also raised concerns about residents with mobility limitations. She described a neighbor who uses a walker and is unable to travel safely beyond the parking lot. “She could get out of her building,” Gordon said, “but then she couldn’t do anything else.”
Snow Removal Variable
Both Gordon and Bridges said snow removal efforts varied widely by location within the complex. “They made it accessible for us to come and pay rent,” Gordon said, “I think they were focused on the wrong areas.”
Gordon acknowledged the storm was more severe than typical winter weather in the region but said a lack of preparation and communication worsened conditions.
“I don’t feel like anyone was necessarily prepared or proactive in making sure that things were clear,” Gordon said.
Residents also expressed frustration with limited communication from city officials. Gordon said she tagged city leaders in online posts and sent messages, but received little response until after sidewalks were cleared. “I feel like Franklin Park was forgotten about again,” she told the News Review.
“Snow and ice conditions, including hardened ‘snowcrete,’ created unprecedented challenges for both residential and commercial properties, particularly related to equipment limitations,” said Hruby.
Knight said Franklin Park thanks its residents and the city for their cooperation and communication throughout the event. “Residents helped by identifying areas that needed prioritization or additional attention due to refreezing. These situations truly highlight the importance of community collaboration, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we worked through the storm together,” said Knight.
Residents who spoke with the News Review said they hope the situation leads to improved planning and coordination during future winter storms, particularly for residents with disabilities, families with children and those who rely on public transportation.
Laura Charleston is a University of Maryland student at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism interning with the Greenbelt News Review.
