The news release below details information about the Mayor's news conference
held 10:00 a.m. Monday morning to announce clean up activities downtown.
During the news conference, the Mayor emphasized this cleanup was an early
start on the City's planned upcoming citywide cleanup efforts in order to
get downtown in shape for the NCAA Final Four. Citywide cleanup efforts
will begin in earnest in April when the snow melt in neighborhoods is
sufficient to begin street sweeping.
Mayor announces effort to clean up downtown for upcoming Final Four
Sayles Belton says citywide cleanup will begin in April
March 26, 2001 (Minneapolis, MN)-Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton
today announced an intensified push to clean up downtown Minneapolis and the
surrounding area in preparation for the upcoming NCAA Final Four tournament
and the beginning of the City's spring cleanup activities.
"The big snowmelt has brought with it an annual problem: as the snow banks,
snow and ice dwindle, the accumulation of garbage, litter and sand is
causing an ugly mess everywhere," said Mayor Sayles Belton. "My staff and I
have been working with Public Works and Inspections to beef up our cleanup
efforts downtown in preparation for the Final Four. We are expecting
50,000-60,000 visitors, and we want our city to shine!"
Beginning today, downtown cleanup activities will include: the City's
licensing division is contacting commercial parking lot managers throughout
downtown and asking them to clean-up litter and debris in and around their
parking lots; City Housing Inspectors will begin a foot patrol to ensure
that properties downtown are cleaning up in front of their businesses. City
Public Works crews will Clean up entrance and exit ramps of the major
gateways to the city - I94, 35W, and 394; begin early sand sweeping of
downtown street's center islands; begin additional street sweepings downtown
at night; intensify cleanup efforts along the Nicollet Mall and on
City-owned plazas downtown.
In addition, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will have crews
cleaning up Elliot Park, Loring Park and the Sculpture Garden this week.
The mayor called on businesses and residents to help out, and offered to
provide bright yellow garbage bags for volunteers picking up the trash.
"With all of these efforts, I know we will have downtown and the surrounding
area shining in no time!"
The mayor also promoted upcoming spring and year-round cleanup
efforts citywide. "Keeping the entire city clean and beautiful is one of my
top priorities," said the mayor. "This spring, the City will launch an
aggressive Clean City strategy that will include a coordinated City effort
and a call for help from citizens."
The mayor closed by saying, "I hope everyone will join us in helping to
clean up our city. Minneapolis has found itself in the national spotlight
time and time again hosting events such as the Final Four, the World Series
and the Superbowl. These major events bring millions of dollars into
Minneapolis and are excellent opportunities to showcase our beautiful city.
I look forward to fantastic weekend of basketball and I am confident we will
show our visitors the very best that Minneapolis has to offer."
The news conference was held in front of the old Skyway Theater. At the end
of the conference, the mayor, along with members of her staff, Public Works
staff, representatives from the Downtown Council, the downtown business
community and residents put on work gloves, grabbed shovels and garbage bags
and began to clean up Hennepin Avenue. The City's Public Works Department
provided a graffiti removal truck and a high-powered hose to help with the
cleanup.
Ann Freeman
Communications Director
Minneapolis Mayor Sharon Sayles Belton
(612) 673-2156
_______________________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - Minnesota E-Democracy
Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:
http://e-democracy.org/mpls
