City leaders and community members gather for a neighborhood cleanup

BOLIVAR, Tenn — Residents in west Tennessee come together to improve a local neighborhood. City employees and community members grab their cleaning supplies, vests, and gloves for a neighborhood clean up. Groups of volunteers were split throughout the east side of town.
Organizers said the clean up is part of a plan to make some big changes.

“We’re celebrating our first renovation of our neighborhood we’ve got an area here we’ve been awarded basically $300,000 plus grant to redo certain homes in the neighborhood.”

The grant comes from the Tennessee Housing Development Authority. Mayor Barrett Stevens says only 8 homeowners will be selected.

“If you fit the criteria you have to own and live in the house it has to require no more than $40,000 in repairs.” Mayor Stevens said.

Organizers said this neighborhood cleanup will help folks in the long run.

“What it does when you fix up one house it may be a little run down it makes the adjacent property owners property more valuable. We’re trying to take advantage of what the government will provide us and so doing make bolivar a better place to live.” Mayor Stevens said.

One volunteer said it’s a great feeling to see his neighborhood get a makeover.

“It just feel good you know we need more people like this around here to help clean up the community.” Volunteer, James McNeal said.

After the cleanup organizers prepared hot dogs and hamburgers for all volunteers.