BEXAR COUNTY, Texas – A half-acre of land tucked between Walzem and Old Seguin roads in northeast Bexar County has been an eyesore for years.
People living in the area may be happy to know that the site may soon be trash- and debris-free.
The property, located near 7715 Elm Cove Drive outside Converse, backs up to a neighborhood.
Volunteers with River Aid San Antonio said the site was filled with years’ worth of debris, including mattresses, a couch, a barbecue pit and other large items.
“For all of us, this was kind of a shock,” said Vic Gomez, operations manager for River Aid San Antonio. “When we first came here, we were walking through a lasagna layer of garbage that had accumulated over several years.”
The property is in Bexar County Precinct 4 Commissioner Tommy Calvert’s precinct.
Libby Day, Calvert’s chief of staff, said residents had complained about the dumping hotspot for years, but the county struggled because officials couldn’t contact the property owner.
“This was formerly an encampment for folks who were suffering from homelessness,” Day said. “And one of the challenges with this site was the county was unable to get in contact with the property owner.”
Day said that issue has since been resolved.
With the property owner’s consent, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office can now address illegal trespassing and dumping at the site.
She said the county also worked with Haven for Hope to connect people who had been staying there with services and resources before enforcement began.
“We did a lot of outreach with Haven for Hope, made sure folks got connected with services and resources,” Day said. “If they wanted to go to Haven, there were beds for them, and once that outreach took place, then enforcement started.”
The county initially received a quote of $100,000 in taxpayer money to clean up the property.
Day said that would have been more than half of the county’s total abatement budget.
That’s where River Aid San Antonio stepped in to help.
During four cleanup events, about 170 volunteers removed 43,000 pounds of trash from the property.
“We’ve had a good handful of the neighbors come out to help us clean, and I think they’re very excited to help us make that difference,” Gomez said.
River Aid San Antonio has one final cleanup planned from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 7. Volunteers can meet the team at 7715 Elm Cove Drive.
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