Dayton Leaders Debate Future Of Bridge

Wednesday,  November 18, 2009 7:03 PM

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DAYTON, Ohio — Some call it an eyesore, while others call it home.

Dayton city officials may decide to tear down an abandoned train trestle bridge, where homeless people have pitched tents.

"We're our own community up here," said one Michael Shearin.

It's a small village that may soon dissolve.

Shearin lives in a tent on top of a train trestle bridge with about seven others.

"We have fun. We make our own fun. We sit around, we talk, we laugh. We make our own games up. We eat together. We pray together. We have a good time out here," said Shearin.

He's been homeless for about 4 months and said living on the bridge is a better than living in a shelter.

"I didn't like Saint Vincent, because it was just too much rowdiness. There was always some drama," explained Shearin.

He likes the fresh air and the peace and quiet near the bridge.

Dayton city officials may soon force Shearin to leave. They're in talks with Norfolk Southern Railway Corporation, the company that owns the bridge.

Officials with Norfolk Southern said they plan to work with the city of Dayton to come up with a solution, which may include tearing down the bridge.

"It pisses us off because, you know, they know we need help out here, but seem like they don't give a damn actually," said Shearin.

One man, who lives in the area, wants to see the bridge torn down.

"That bridge is an eyesore," said Clifton Harris. "Dayton as a whole needs a lot of cleaning up."

Harris said some of the homeless people make a mess. There are pillowcases and beer bottles in front of the bridge.

"These individuals they been standing over here on the corner exposing themselves, not really caring, urinating out in the street. I even called the Dayton police myself," said Harris.

Harris is upset with some of their disturbing acts, but Shearin said tearing down the bridge would tear apart their small community.

"We're not trying to bother nobody. We're just trying to live one day at a time," said Shearin.

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