PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Contact:

Public Works: (415) 554-6931

July 13, 2010

CITY AGENCIES AND FISHERMAN’S WHARF BUSINESSES PARTNER FOR A SUMMER SWEEP AT THE WHARF

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The Department of Public Works (DPW), city agencies and Fisherman’s Wharf area businesses embarked on an extensive public and private weeklong cleaning program that will prepare and beautify the heavily trafficked Fisherman’s Wharf, PIER 39 and surrounding areas for the height of San Francisco’s summer tourist season.

The cleanup includes volunteers, local businesses, youth from DPW’s Summer Apprenticeship Program, Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District staff, and city staff who will take care of trees, remove graffiti, pick up litter, paint curbs, as well as give litter receptacles a facelift with fresh paint and steam cleaning. Agencies, such as DPW, the Port of San Francisco and the Municipal Transportation Agency partnered with the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District, PIER 39, and the Fisherman’s Wharf Merchants Association to identify work that is included in this week’s cleanup efforts.

“Now, more than ever, public and private partnerships are key to keeping our City clean and beautiful,” said Mayor Gavin Newsom. “These cleanup programs make it possible for San Francisco to maintain its reputation as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and a world-class destination.”

The “Summer Sweep at the Wharf” cleanup event is the fourth in a series of cleanup programs aimed at supporting important merchant corridors during difficult economic times. The cleanups keep busy streets clean and inviting for residents, visitors and shoppers during times when they are used most. Other cleanup events in the series include Union Square during the Winter Holiday shopping season, in Chinatown before Chinese New Year festivities, and around AT&T Ballpark in advance of Opening Day.

The program complements DPW’s ongoing efforts in neighborhood commercial corridors where, through the Community Corridors Partnership Program, the department maximizes street cleaning resources by partnering with local merchants.

“We are delighted to participate in the City's Summer Sweep at the Wharf," noted Kevin Carroll, Executive Director of the Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District. "It takes partnerships like this to ensure the Fisherman’s Wharf Community Benefit District’s goal of providing millions of visitors who come to neighborhood with a clean and safe place to enjoy themselves is realized," continued Mr. Carroll

During the last three cleanup programs, DPW and its partners removed more than 50,000 square feet of graffiti, steam-cleaned 44 blocks, added 100 Adopt A Street volunteers, swept hundreds of block and made numerous repairs to public signs, traffic lights, curbs, and bus stops.

“It is DPW’s goal to make areas such as these as inviting as possible for San Francisco residents and guests to our city,” said DPW Director Ed Reiskin. “Forming partnerships and leveraging resources in areas where cleanup is needed most reaps exponential benefits and helps us target our scarce street cleaning resources effectively.”

“We can’t do this alone,” said Mohammed Nuru, who is the Deputy Director for Operations at DPW and is responsible for the many volunteer programs DPW offers. “Volunteers provide a valuable boost to the great work that DPW does every day out on the streets and in the neighborhoods.”

"The Port has always been dedicated to maintaining Fisherman's Wharf. Over the years, we've worked closely with the Fisherman's Wharf Merchants Association and the Fisherman's Wharf Community Benefit District to make the area look as pristine as possible, so our residents and tourists can enjoy one of the most visited destinations in the United States," said Tom Meisenbach, Port Superintendent of Harbor Maintenance.

The weeklong efforts will culminate with a large volunteer gathering at Embarcadero and Bay streets this Saturday, July 17th at 9:00 a.m. where hundreds of volunteers are expected to put the finishing touches on the area, and also cleanup throughout districts two and three. A large volunteer gathering around the Mid-Polk street area with Mid Polk Neighborhood Association will also take place.

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.

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