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GREENSBORO — They're the kind of complaints that city leaders have heard for years.

Once-charming Glenwood homes have fallen into disrepair. Drug dealers and prostitutes have replaced children on the streets.

Now city planners and the Greater Glenwood Neighborhood Association have a plan they hope will change that negative image.

On Saturday, city officials met with residents at Peck Elementary School to present the latest draft of the Glenwood neighborhood plan, a document that aims to increase home ownership, make the area safer and promote a vibrant business community.

"I think it's a jewel. It just needs a little polishing," said Barry Scarbrough, president of the neighborhood association.

City leaders will meet with neighbors one last time Tuesday night before they present the plan to the City Council for approval in February.

Residents' complaints about the degraded quality of life in the triangular slice of land between West Lee Street, Coliseum Boulevard and Freeman Mill Road prompted city officials to embark on a 14-month planning process.

"Many longtime and former residents remember the vibrant and tight-knit community Glenwood once was," said Jeff Sovich , neighborhood planning coordinator for the City of Greensboro.

Neighbors voiced familiar complaints at the meeting Saturday. Drug deals in broad daylight. Trashed parks. Seedy businesses.

"We understand these immediate concerns are important to face," Sovich said. "The plan is looking at the long-term. How can we get that kind of element out of the neighborhood?"

The plan provides a vision for a better Glenwood and more than 200 actions the city and neighbors can take to get there.

Those actions include city officials inspecting rental units, holding home ownership fairs, and finding places to put bike racks.

The city already has improved some sidewalks and taken down bothersome signs — a first step to improving the appearance of the neighborhood.

The neighborhood association is also trying some simple things, like directly approaching property owners about trash or other issues.

And they've rebuilt their neighborhood watch.

"You've got to be a part of the solution," said neighbor Mitzi Griffin , encouraging residents to join the monthly watch meetings.

The neighbors also have created a summer marketplace on Grove Street and a community garden — things that residents said make it tougher for criminals to work.

"The drug dealers are starting to get scared," said Cheryl Small , who has led the effort to revitalize Grove Street.

City officials also have begun a housing market study, which they hope will help them figure out how to encourage more home ownership.

"Glenwood has the making of a really great neighborhood," Sovich said.

Contact Amanda Lehmert at 373-7075 or amanda.lehmert@news-record.com