During a press event on December 3, TLCBD announced a dramatic increase to Tenderloin sidewalk pressure washing frequency-from once a month to once a week! TLCBD was joined by District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney, City agencies, and Tenderloin community members—including residents, merchants, and property owners—in welcoming the increased pressure washing program while calling on community and City to work together for a cleaner neighborhood.
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TLCBD PRESS RELEASE::
San Francisco (December 3, 2019): The Tenderloin Community Benefit District (TLCBD) announced today an ambitious and achievable program to provide sidewalk pressure washing once a week to every block within the organization’s District boundaries, approximately 30 square blocks within San Francisco’s Tenderloin neighborhood. The area has the highest number of 311 requests Citywide for sidewalk cleanliness issues including feces.
“Even though seeing human and animal feces on our sidewalks is a common occurrence, I find it upsetting and disturbing every single time,” says David Elliott Lewis a long time Tenderloin resident and community organizer. “I am so grateful for the work of the TLCBD Clean Team. When I see their power washing crews cleaning our neighborhood’s sidewalks, I feel like we are blessed with a momentary relief.”
According to the TLCBD, everyone, regardless of income or housing status deserves clean sidewalks. They recognize that pressure washing is not the long-term solution, but it is a way of reminding people that the Tenderloin can be a permanently clean neighborhood. The Tenderloin also has the highest concentration of children in San Francisco as well as high concentration of immigrants, seniors, and people in wheelchairs.
The TLCBD sees the new sidewalk pressure washing, which has a daily schedule all community members can count on and which the organization will be accountable to, as a conversation starter and a way to work with all community members to address root issues, including the need for more resources.
District Supervisor Matt Haney has recently announced a 10-point plan which calls for more 24-hour restrooms, animal waste stations, more tamper resistant trash cans, and increased sidewalk pressure washing among other items.
“Tenderloin residents and businesses deserve clean and healthy sidewalks just like any other neighborhood.” Said District 6 Supervisor Matt Haney. “One of the ways we are going to get there is regular deep pressure washing! It makes a huge difference. I called for this in my 10-Point Plan for a Clean and Healthy Downtown SF back in April and fought to include more funding for cleaning in the budget. I’m so excited and grateful that the TLCBD continues to step up their pressure washing service to ensure that our streets and sidewalks are clean and healthy for everyone to enjoy.”
The TLCBD supports the plan and is working hard, with support from stakeholders and City partners, to begin its part.
The dramatic increase in service-from once a month to once a week-follows a successful organization renewal campaign in which Tenderloin property owners voted to renew a special assessment tax on their properties to fund the organization. The renewal was also supported by Office of Economic and Workforce Development. The organization was first established in 2005, and will now see expanded programs continue through 2034.
“This program, like all of our vital neighborhood serving programs, are only possible through the investment of Tenderloin property owners for the benefit of everyone,” said Simon Bertrang, TLCBD Executive Director.
“The TLCBD’s increased sidewalk pressure washing is absolutely curial for small businesses in the Tenderloin,” says Rene Colorado, Executive Director-Tenderloin Merchants and Property Owners Association. “Clean sidewalks bring more foot traffic which help showcase all the great small businesses we have in the TL.”
Merchants throughout SF, including Tenderloin, have made news lately for struggles with challenges due to cleanliness.
The Clean Team is not just doing a service for the community; it’s providing opportunity for gainful employment with benefits, leadership training, and workforce development. TLCBD partners with Downtown Streets Team, a nonprofit work experience program for people experiencing homelessness and many TLCBD Clean Team members have experienced homelessness or are coming out of the justice system.
“Clean sidewalks are immensely important to the overall health of a neighborhood and the success of small businesses as it instills confidence and pride in an area,” said Joaquin Torres, Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “The Tenderloin Community Benefit District’s mission has an inclusive model built upon strong community partnerships with local merchants, residents, and stakeholders. Not only is their work making a difference for people that work and live in the Tenderloin, but they also are making huge impact by creating workforce opportunities partnerships with Downtown Streets Team where marginalized groups have a chance to give back to their community.”
“Despite working through very difficult conditions, our team members come to work and perform their job with an amazingly positive attitude,” says Fernando Pujals TLCBD Director of Clean Engagement. “They are the soul and inspiration of our program.” He adds that they experience no shortage of gratitude from community members including Tenderloin residents.
During a press event at the Tenderloin National Forest on 12/3, TLCBD Clean Team showcased a new portable, power washing tool that attaches directly to their cleaning carts. “This device is saving time and making life a little bit easier for our team,” added Pujals, “it was their idea.”
Beyond pressure washing services, the TLCBD Clean Team deploys six sidewalk sweepers to cover six “micro-neighborhoods” which will result in sidewalks being cleaned multiple times by team members daily. Seed funding was provided by the San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development’s Invest in Neighborhoods Initiative, the District 6 Office, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, PAE Consulting Engineers Inc, Kenneth Rainin Foundation discretionary award, and Tilden Hotel to make the increased cleaning possible ahead of the renewal campaign. In 2020, the area will expand to seven micro neighborhoods.
“The TLCBD Micro Neighborhood Program is about more than cleaning up, it’s about building connection and inspiring neighborhood pride,” says Pujals. “Ultimately, we must all work together for a clean Tenderloin. The many amazing communities that comprise the fabric here deserve it.”
Pujals notes that they could not do their work alone. They rely on the partnership of SF Public Works and Recology, and nonprofits such as Urban Alchemy and Civic which provide sweeping service at different hours in the morning and night. The organization is rooted in working with residents, merchants, and property owners as well.
“As we increase resources to meet demand and show what is possible, we can invite all community members to hold one another accountable as part of the solution,” says Pujals. “We look forward to the day our washer trucks can be used to support greening efforts instead of removing dog poop.”
TLCBD Clean Program Highlights:
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Daily sidewalk sweeping, 7 days a week, 7:30am – 3pm
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Increased pressure washing, from once a month to once a week
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A pilot program to test a cordless power washing tool on cleaning carts
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District-wide micro neighborhood service with multiple frontage passes per day, and a more engaged, responsive Clean Team Member you know by name
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Direct access for the public to call or text the Clean Team Hotline 415-385-5490
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Assistance with graffiti removal on public & private properties
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Prompt coordination with partner agencies, such as Public Works, Recology, and Fix It Team
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