Pittsburgh civic groups can adopt 'redd-up' clean-up zones
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The term "Redd Up" went municipal under the late Mayor Bob O'Connor and hasn't looked back since.
The local jargon for "clean up" or "tidy up" has become the city's most populist public works message and is the rallying cry in mobilizing volunteers for spring and fall litter clean-ups.
Now it is part of a zone defense.
Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Heinz History Center, took an idea to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl that resulted in a recent launch of the Redd-Up Zone -- stewardship with a two-year contract.
Mr. Masich, a board member of the region's council of Boy Scouts, drew in Troop 73 from Lawrenceville as one of the first two committed adopters of zones in the city. The history center is the other.
While most neighborhoods have regular clean-up events, this initiative is meant to get more organizations involved, with more commitment from the city.
"The city is providing more resources and holding groups accountable," said Joanna Doven, spokeswoman for Mr. Ravenstahl.
It budgeted $7,000 for its Department of Public Works for 2012 to supply brooms, dust pans, buckets, safety vests, bags and coordination and pick-up services. Zone stewards commit to cleaning at least half a mile of litter four times a year for two years.
Participants sign a contract promising to schedule the clean-ups with the city two weeks ahead, to assure adult supervision, learn safety precautions for potentially hazardous waste and to return sign-in sheets to the mayor's office within two weeks after the clean-up. Stewards are also asked to report graffiti and suspicious activities in their zones.
Boy Scout Troop 73 signed on to adopt from 34th to 38th streets on Butler Street and Mulberry Way. The history center staff and its 600 volunteers will be tapped to take care of Penn Avenue, Smallman Street and Mulberry Way between 11th and 14th streets, said Mr. Masich.
First Published October 31, 2011 12:00 am
