Frustration grows over Cumberland River trash inaction, leaving locals to bear stench

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Trash near the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville continues to mount without any agency taking responsibility.

The smell is so awful it’s almost unbearable to be on Gay Street underneath the Woodland Street Bridge. Past the barriers on the slope towards the Cumberland River, there are empty beer cans, Narcan, dirty clothes, empty cigarette packets and even feces.

Hanah Carter runs on Gay Street in that area four times a week.

“What’s it like running in this area with all this trash and this smell?” FOX 17 News Karen Aguilar asks. “Especially someone that runs so often?”

“It’s honestly pretty disgusting,” Carter replied. “The smell can make me pretty nauseous.”

Community activist Barry Doupnik tells FOX 17 News the trash has been there for around three months after those experiencing homelessness were forced to leave.

“It’s just a huge environmental issue,” he said. “The other side of the river was cleaned up already and we’re wondering why the wait on this side.”

He said he contacted Metro Parks, the Office of Homeless Services, the Nashville Department of Transportation (NDOT) and even the Nashville Fire Department.

“They point their fingers at each other,” said Dupnik.” I called the Nashville Fire Department, pretty much whoever I talked to at the main office there laughed at me and said they have absolutely no idea what I was talking about.”

The Nashville Fire Department told FOX 17 News they are not responsible for any cleanup.

“NDOT maintains the grounds underneath both areas,” Metro Parks said.

FOX 17 News emailed and called NDOT along with the Office of Homeless Services on Friday afternoon, but we did not receive a response.

“I think it’s just pure laziness,” said Doupnik.

Carter agrees.

“The hope is definitely that someone steps up,” she said. “I would love for this place to be clean.”

FOX 17 News will continue to press for answers and keep you updated.

For more reports like this on the High Cost of Homelessness, click here.