Sandbag cleanup: Manitou Springs
In Manitou Springs you can’t walk too far without seeing them; piles and piles of sandbags. Many are still there from the floods of 2013.
Now the city is calling them “unsightly” and wants them gone. People in Manitou say the bags are constant reminders of what the city has overcome.
“It’s kind of like a battle wound, we’ve been through a lot together. Part of us being here, are the sandbags,” said Lori Vafiades, a business owner in Manitou.
“It does remind people that you are in a flood prone area. You could be shopping here and the sirens go off, and you have to evacuate,” said Jeanie Taylor.
But people also say the bags have become an eyesore.
“Not only is it unsightly, but they don’t really serve a purpose once we get all that rain. These sandbags were never meant to be a permanent solution. They are an emergency use only, they don’t have that kind of a life span,” said Officer Odette Saglimbeni, with the Manitou Springs Police Department.
Some of the sandbags have sat in the city for nearly three years.
Most of the damaged sand bags can be found right near Fountain Creek, but the city wants to stress that people cannot dump the sand from the bags into the creek. In fact, police say if you’re caught dumping anything into the water you will be cited.
The city of Mantiou Springs will take your old sandbags, empty or filled.
If people want new sandbags the city will provide filled bags, all for free.
New bags will be available outside the gate to the Public Services Department, located at 101 Banks Place. A pallet with new sandbags will also be placed in the parking lot of the Tajine Alami, 10 Old Mans Trail.
The Manitou Springs Police Department also shared the following statement:
“As we approach flood season, the Manitou Springs Police Department is addressing issues with sandbags in the City. The department says many sandbags are beginning to deteriorate, causing them to break and spill their contents onto public sidewalks. Not only are these dilapidated sand bags ineffective and unsightly, but they could also become a hazard to those using the sidewalks.
“While the City of Manitou Springs understands that these sandbags are necessary for flood mitigation, deteriorated and unsightly sandbags, once broken, fail to provide proper flood protection. Those who desire to utilize sandbags should be aware that they are intended to be an EMERGENCY measure and their use is NOT intended to be long term. Residents and business owners who experience flooding should seek a more permanent solution. Those who wish to pursue a more permanent solution should contact the Regional Floodplain Manager at the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, (719) 327-2880.”
“To remedy this issue, the City of Manitou Springs asks that you discard any broken, deteriorating sandbags and replace them with new bags that will be provided at no cost. New bags will be available outside the gate to the Public Services Department, located at 101 Banks Place. A pallet with new sandbags will also be placed in the parking lot of the Tajine Alami, 10 Old Mans Trail. We ask that you please replace or remove deteriorating sandbags by April 8th, 2016.”
“The City of Manitou Springs thanks you for your cooperation in this endeavor to provide safe, and effective, flood protection efforts.”
