Sounds like this may be a great site for an Urban Resource Project. The City partners with URI for two great programs. Any City resident can adopt a tree, if you promise to maintain it they will help you select the "right tree for the right place" and come plant it for you. URI also partners with community groups through the Greenspace Initiative for beautification projects. I'll forward your info and the post to them but you can find out more on their website: http://environment.yale.edu/uri/programs/community-greenspace/

We are taking applications for our summer Greenspace program now through May 2015. Our phone number is 203-432-6189, if you have questions about the program.

With the exception of the trees, stewardship of the area between the curb and the sidewalk is the responsibility of the abutting property owner. If there are future concerns of maintenance please repost as a private property issue and LCI can address with the property owner.