Yard Of Vacant Washington Heights Building Needs A Clean-Up, City Says

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — The city filed a lawsuit on Tuesday for an emergency clean-up of a rat-infested and trash-laden front yard of a vacant building in Washington Heights, according to court documents.

The front-yard in question does not have an official address, but is described by the city as adjacent to 286 Wadsworth Ave, near West 188th Street.

A recent report by an employee of the Department of Sanitation found that the conditions of the front yard are "conducive to rat harborage and/or rats exist on the premise."

Additionally, the inspector, who visited the yard on Feb. 28, March 30, and April 13, found "active rodent signs, including gnawed plastic bags."

Upon the last visit to the yard by DSNY, the city requested access from the owner to enter and clean the area.

As of Tuesday, though, the owner has not responded to grant that access.

Thus, the city has filed a petition in the New York State Supreme Court to gain entry and properly clean it.

Here is what the Washington Heights vacant yard looks like from the outside.

Based on Google Maps, it appears that the building and yard have been vacant since 2016.