Downtown Berkeley PBID Cleaning Team Update
 | | Power washing sidewalks at 3am |
After a month of operations, the new Downtown Ambassador Cleaning Team has made significant progress in pressure washing sidewalks, removing graffiti, painting lamp posts and other fixtures, weeding tree wells, sweeping and picking up litter. There is still plenty of work to do over the next two months. Nevertheless, the team is on schedule to complete the deep cleaning, painting, and landscaping of the entire 30 block Downtown Berkeley District in time for the April 2nd launch event of the renewed Downtown. |
 | | Graffiti on door pre-cleaning |
| Graffiti on door post-cleaning |
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To date, the Cleaning Ambassadors--in their very recognizable neon yellow uniforms--have removed 4,100 pounds of trash, and power washed 7,800 linear feet of sidewalks. They have also painted 100% of the Downtown area hydrants and 61% of the light poles, and removed all the graffiti and stickers from 30 news rack stands. In addition, the Ambassadors have weeded 45 of the 307 tree wells in Downtown Berkeley. (See table and map below.)
The current Host Ambassador Program will continue to provide hospitality and social service outreach services until March 31st, when the team will be expanded and combined with the new Cleaning Team, in time for the full launch on April 2nd. Please continue to use the Ambassador dispatch number of 510.550.7550 if you need their assistance.
The Cleaning Ambassadors, Hospitality Ambassadors, Landscaping, and marketing program are funded by the new Property-Based Business Improvement District (PBID), whereby Downtown property owners agreed by 71% (weighted by assessment) to fund these services to achieve a more vibrant, welcoming, and prosperous City Center.
If you have any questions or comments about the work being done, please contact: Operations Manger Lance Gorée at 510.5409.2230 ext. 13 or lgoree@downtownberkely.org; Operations Director Deborah Badhia at ext. 11 or dbadhia@downtownberkeley.org; or Executive Director John Caner at ext. 12 or jcaner@downtownberkeley.org. |
