TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – Neighbors living near two vacant properties on West Oakland Street say they have been waiting years for the city to act, and they want answers.
The properties at 25 and 28 West Oakland Street have become a source of frustration for neighbors. The house at 25 West Oakland has been empty for roughly two decades, according to neighbors, and has significant overgrowth in the backyard. The lot at 28 West Oakland has no structure, but is overtaken by wild weeds.
‘I’m scared’
Bertha Isom moved to West Oakland Street a year ago. She said she did not know the vacant property next to her home would bring so many problems.
“Grass, overgrown grass. Rodents in the yard. When I first moved here, there were still people going in that back door. It was people still loafing around here and stuff. The fence is all broken down from all that debris from over there,” Isom said.
Isom said she has contacted Engage Toledo multiple times about the overgrown yard and a tree in her front yard she wants trimmed. She said an inspector notified her in May that work orders had been created for both the tree and the vacant property next door.
“Nothing is getting done. I’m just paying taxes for nothing,” Isom said.
Isom said the situation deteriorated to the point where she paid out of pocket to have some of the thick brush cleared.
“I shouldn’t have had to pay someone to come out to do the city’s job. I’m not very happy with that. I’m giving them money and now I got to give away more money to get some work done,” she said.
Isom said she was also told by Engage Toledo in May that the house at 25 West Oakland would be demolished.
“It’s still here. So, I would like to see it torn down now, not next year,” she said.
‘Everything else is going down’
Directly across the street, Joe Silas said the other vacant property has been a constant issue for him.
“Bunch of old trees back here behind my house that needs to be cut out because those limbs are falling all over the place. It’s all grown up back there because nobody takes care of it back there, either,” Silas said.
Silas has lived on West Oakland Street since 1975. He said the current condition of the block is difficult to see.
“Oh, it makes me feel terrible because I try to keep my place up. Everything else is going down. They want to keep raising taxes, but they don’t want to do nothing,” he said.
City posted nuisance order in April 2025
The city posted a 30-day public nuisance order on the front door of the vacant home at 25 West Oakland Street on April 7, 2025, directed at the property owner.
Engage Toledo had not responded to a request for comment regarding plans for either property at the time ofg publication.
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