The city of Gainesville will distribute 1,200 free tarps and has hired a third-party company to help collect vegetative debris from neighborhoods, a process expected to take weeks and multiple passes through residential areas, following Hurricane Helene.
The free tarps, two available for each neighbor while supplies last, are available at the former RTS Administration facility just south of Depot Park located near SE 10th Ave. from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday.
The typical limits for residential debris concerning weight and size have been waived, but the city asks to keep limbs less than 5 feet long. For gated neighborhoods, the homeowners’ association will need to reach out to Gainesville Public Works to get an entry agreement.
Public Works is available at 352-334-2330 or waste@gainesvillefl.gov.
Some folks claimed others got 4 tarps, 3 tarps etc. while the rest of the folks who came even before 12:00 pm on Saturday, got none. Truck was gone, while folks were still coming! Distribution process was hurried up and apparently not too good.