PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 13, 2010
Contact: 415-554-6931
‘SPRUCE UP BY SUN UP’ SHINES A LIGHT ON CITY CLEANLINESS ISSUES
Public Works Inspectors Find More Than 30 Properties without Garbage Service
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Department of Public Works (DPW) announced today the results of the first week of the “Spruce Up by Sun Up” campaign, an early morning inspection program focusing on missing or inadequate garbage service, sidewalk cleanliness; and graffiti and blight issues. DPW inspectors set out before dawn all last week to check on 20 blocks along busy areas of Church Street, 24th Street and Potrero Avenue.
DPW identified a range of issues that must be corrected by the City and private property owners, including graffitied awnings and dirty sidewalks. In addition, 31 properties were found to have no garbage service. This lack of service often leads to illegal sidewalk dumping, which is a practice that contributes to blight and litter, and costs taxpayers an extra two million dollars every year to remove.
Property owners will be notified to fix issues for which they are responsible and DPW will coordinate with other city departments to correct city maintenance issues. Graffiti on private property, most tree care issues and businesses or residences without garbage service are the responsibility of private property owners.
What inspectors found this week:
• 128 instances of graffiti
• 72 tree basins that need to be filled
• 31 properties without garbage service
• 26 trees with height clearance issues
• 19 grimy or littered sidewalks, or sidewalks with excessive cigarette butts
• 16 uplifted or broken sidewalks
• 20 dead, missing or declining trees that need replacement
• 12 bus zones to be repainted
• 12 missing sewer vent covers
• 9 news racks with graffiti
• 4 bent parking signs
• 2 fire department boxes with missing doors
• 2 instances of illegal dumping
• 1 crosswalk to be repainted
“Information gathered from the Spruce Up campaign helps us not only clean up the city, but allows us to target our inspections and outreach efforts to best help neighborhoods stay clean and green,” said Mohammed Nuru, Deputy Director for Operations at DPW.
All merchants and property owners received an inspection schedule in advance with detailed information about City maintenance standards for garbage receptacles, tree foliage and basins; storefronts; awnings; and sidewalks. The goal of the campaign is to keep streets clean and inviting for residents, customers and other visitors.
The “Spruce Up by Sun Up” campaign is part of DPW’s Community Corridors Partnership Program, which has provided extensive education and outreach over the last three years by visiting streets at all times of the day and night to educate merchants and property owners about their responsibilities. In addition to education and outreach, the program improves the quality of life on busy San Francisco merchant corridors by providing city staff to clean sidewalks, remove graffiti on public property, and repair potholes.
The campaign continues tomorrow along 16th Street in the Mission District and along Geary Street near Union Square. The program continues through February 2011. Information is available at www.sfdpw.org
DPW is responsible for the care and maintenance of San Francisco’s streets and much of its infrastructure. The department cleans and resurfaces streets; plants and maintains City street trees; designs, constructs and maintains city-owned facilities; inspects streets and sidewalks; constructs curb ramps; removes graffiti from public property; and partners with the diverse neighborhoods in San Francisco to provide stellar cleaning and greening services.
--end--
