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 SPRUCE UP by SUN UP |
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Corridors Program Newsletter Winter 2012 Edition |
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Dear Community Corridor Partners,
The Department of Public Works is proud of the results produced by our pre-dawn inspections of city streets and sidewalks over the past two years. These Community Corridors "Spruce Up by Sun Up" inspections allow us to work closely with San Francisco property owners to help our commercial areas remain safe, clean, green and beautiful for residents and visitors.
The Spruce Up by Sun Up program dedicates staff to inspect over 350 blocks over a six-month period. Typical items found on these walks include graffiti on private and public property, tree care issues like additional soil needed in tree basins or minor tree pruning needs; and one item that surprised us was the number of items dumped illegally on commercial sidewalks. Since the City's garbage company Recology offers Bulky Item Collection free for anyone who subscribes to garbage service, I encourage all residents and businesses to take full advantage of this service.
This year, we inspected the same corridors that were inspected last year. And we are pleased that the numbers of issues recorded are decreasing, compliance with Public Works regulations is increasing, and as a result, many streets are cleaner. In fact, overall, the amount of items we identified decreased by 33% and I thank all of our merchants, residents, community partners, and other city agencies for their help to make this possible and keeping San Francisco a world-class city.
Interim Director
Department of Public Works
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Spruce Up by Sun Up Round Two:
Second Round Makes a Difference
The team wrapped up the second installation of the early morning inspections called Spruce Up by Sun Up. For 20 weeks, the Department of Public Works and Recology staff walked the streets of San Francisco every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5am to 7am. The goal is to follow up on issues identified during Round One of Spruce Up, which was initiated in 2010.
Round Two began on August 16, 2011 and lasted until January 26, 2012. Staff re-inspected the same blocks and noted deficiencies, which include missing or inadequate refuse service, sidewalk cleanliness issues such as gum stains, grime and litter; trees that require attention; and graffiti and blight issues on both public and private properties, service, broken or sunken curbs; public furniture that need paint; bent, faded or defaced signs, clogged catch basins, and tree basins.
The final numbers for Round Two appears promising. After two rounds of Spruce Up, deficiencies in the Corridors have gone down.
Comparison:
- Graffiti remains one of the top issues in the Corridors, although the numbers dropped from 33% to 28% between Round 1 and 2.
- Tree related issues increased from 24% to 31%.
- Garbage issues dropped 41% from the first Spruce Up.
- Total number of deficiencies decreased by 74%.
Conclusion:
- Inspections appear to be affective. Overall numbers decreased.
- Reporting deficiencies improved during Spruce Up 2.
- Another approach ought to be explored when tackling graffiti problems. Although the number decreased, it remains a concern.
Visit the Community Corridors Program website http://sfdpw.org for more detailed look at the data. |
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SPRUCE UP ROUND TWO
INSPECTION SUMMARY REPORT |
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A QUICK GLANCE
Between August 2011 and January 2012, staff has accomplished the following. All deficiencies that were identified are reported to the rightful property owner including private and city agencies.
- inspected 60 Corridors or
- walked 328 San Francisco city blocks
- 20 weeks into the inspection calendar
- reported 6060 total number deficiencies which includes:
- 349 properties cited for no-refuse service
- 1687 instances of public and private graffiti
- 703 trees that need pruning
- 537 tree basins that need backfill
- 108 bus stops that need to be repainted
- 163 crosswalks that need to be repainted
- 253 news racks that need attention.
The chart below is the breakdown issues for Spruce Up Round Two. For a detailed look at the types of deficiencies reported in your Corridor, visit the Community Corridors Program website http://sfdpw.org for more detailed look at the data.
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DPW Hires Locally
The most visible part of the Corridors Program (and the most beloved) has been reinstated. The Ambassadors are back in the Corridors. They are part of a pre-apprenticeship program that provide them with a job and training in the field. The Ambassadors are hired through the Human Services Administration and the non-profit Mission Neighborhood Center to help beautify the Corridors. One hundred thirty were trained by DPW to pick up litter, remove weeds from tree basins, remove stickers from poles, sweep the sidewalk and curbs and report deficiencies. Ambassadors work Thursday through Monday from 11am to 8pm.
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ECO BLITZ ON THE GENEVA AVENUE CORRIDOR |
Cleaning Up the Neighborhood
 Because of the street construction in the area, plus the usual heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic, the Geneva Corridor was becoming a concern with a number of issues. DPW wanted to give the Geneva Corridor some extra attention. The DPW team held an Eco Blitz twice in the months of January and February. Supervisor John Avalos, City Administrator Naomi Kelly, and Interim Deputy Director for Operations Larry Stringer accompanied the team on the inspection.
During the Eco-Blitz, staff powerwashed city cans and the surrounding areas, swept the streets and reported deficiences. Staff also re-educated business and property owners about their responsibilities. Twenty property owners were notified for deficiencies such as dirty sidewalk, graffiti and blighted newsracks. DPW corrected DPW-related issues and reported non-DPW issues to the proper agencies. The Geneva Corridor is on Geneva Avenue from Alemany Boulevard to Naples Street and Naples Street from Geneva Avenue to Rolph Street.
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WHAT'S NEXT IN THE CORRIDORS |
Follow Up
The Corridors Program started in October 2007 with the goal to teach, educate and partner with private and public entities to reach a goal--to keep San Francisco clean, safe and green. DPW started with education of the city codes. Staff has worked with property and business owners and all parties so each understand their responsibility. Enforcement and inspections followed.
DPW will continue to educate and enforce city ordinances in order to keep the city of San Francisco clean. More Spruce Up will be scheduled. Stay tuned and check the website often to see where we will be next. |
 Adhere to Poster Rules
Some believe it's uniquely San Francisco. Or it's free speech. But the signs posted on poles or walls can not only be illegal but can also be a safety issue. The sign-posting requirements were established to reduce litter and blight and minimize obstruction to ensure safety.
Quick guide to the rules:
- Signs must not be larger than a standard piece of paper.
- You can't use tape or string.
- The sign can't be placed higher than 12 feet from the ground.
- It MUST have the posting date, and
- MUST be removed within ten days after an event or election date.
Public Works has the authority to remove prohibited signs and administer penalties of up to $500 for chronic offenders. If DPW sees the same sign over and over, then crews will seek to hold the person or company posting the signs accountable.
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Don't Leave it on the Sidewalk!
DPW recently continues its campaign to end illegal sidewalk dumping: a practice that costs taxpayers millions of dollars every year and increases blight in your neighborhood.
It is illegal to leave furniture, appliances, garbage bags or any thing on the sidewalk at any time unless you have a scheduled pick up from a licensed hauler or donation facility. Find out more about DPW's campaign as well as the many options available for you to properly give away or get rid of your junk. You can help! Please print out this flyer and distribute and post throughout your community. |
| Volunteer!
DPW has a couple of volunteer programs that's just for you. Tired of looking at graffiti? You can help abate it. Join DPW's Graffiti Watch program.
Dirty tree basins? Sidewalk littered? You can adopt your block through our Adopt-A-Street Program.
It's easy to join. Simply click on the any of the links and sign up. We'll even deliver the supplies!
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Thank you!
Would you like to be on the DPW mailing list for our newsletter? Please email dpw@sfdpw.org and put in the subject line: "Please Put me on the Community Newsletter Mailing List"
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