PRESS RELEASE: Making Chinatown Sparkle For the Year of the Dog - 2/13/2018
For Immediate Release: February 13, 2018
Contact: Rachel Gordon, 415-554-6045
MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT: SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC WORKS IS SERIOUS
ABOUT MAKING CHINATOWN SPARKLE FOR YEAR OF THE DOG
San Francisco, CA – San Francisco Public Works crews are hard at work this month in the City’s iconic Chinatown, using industrial-strength equipment – and old-fashioned elbow grease – to deep clean the historic neighborhood in preparation for the Lunar New Year.
Workers are using high-pressure steamers to scour away grease, grime and pigeon droppings from the sidewalks, walls and public garbage cans. Our graffiti unit is removing graffiti tags from light poles and storefront rollup doors to keep Chinatown clean and inviting. Specialized crews gave the Broadway Tunnel a major scrubbing, while others patched potholes to make Chinatown’s streets smooth and safe for people who walk, bike and drive.
Public Works employees have been on the job around the clock in the weeks leading up to the Feb. 16 Lunar New Year.
“San Francisco’s Chinatown is a global destination and we must keep it clean. It’s a matter of pride,” said San Francisco Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru. “Our goal is to make Chinatown one of the cleanest neighborhoods in the country.”
In addition, the department is partnering with the nonprofit Chinese Newcomers Service Center to manually sweep sidewalks in an area bounded by Kearny, Stockton, Sacramento and Broadway streets. The workers are removing cigarette butts, old newspapers, discarded coffee cups and other litter that sully the heart of this dynamic neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the Public Works Outreach and Enforcement (OnE) team is walking the Chinatown corridors to speak with merchants and property owners about code compliance to make sure they have proper garbage service and keep the black, blue and green refuse bins clean and graffiti-free.
Related to that, Recology is replacing the bins tagged with graffiti with clean ones in Chinatown as a one-time courtesy. In return, the garbage service customers need to keep the bins looking good by washing them and removing graffiti on a regular basis.
San Francisco’s Chinatown is not only the oldest Chinatown in North America, but also the largest of its kind outside Asia. And it is one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the United States. Keeping the vibrant neighborhood looking good takes extra effort.
The 2018 Year of the Dog symbolizes the element earth in the Chinese zodiac and characterizes loyalty and a determination to get the job done. That’s fitting for Public Works’ relationship not just with Chinatown, but every neighborhood in the City. The department takes pride in working diligently and in partnership with our residents and merchants to keep San Francisco clean and beautiful.
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Press Releases
Release Date
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Mission
San Francisco Public Works is one of the largest and most complex municipal operations in the City, with a 1,600-member workforce and a $384 million annual operating budget. The department's active capital project portfolio exceeds $3 billion. As one of San Francisco oldest City departments, it is also one of the most forward-thinking. Keeping San Francisco beautiful, safe and sustainable.
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