Be Beautiful Downtown Cleanup Deemed a Big Success

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2, 2007

For more information, contact:
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569

[image:1793,right]Bloomington, IN - The City of Bloomington and Downtown Bloomington Inc. (DBI) were joined by dozens of volunteers to clean up downtown yesterday, May 1, 2007, in celebration of May as Be Beautiful Bloomington Month. The second annual Be Beautiful downtown cleanup involved more than 100 volunteers, an increase of about 40 from the 2006 event, and resulted in the cleanup and disposal of 2,000 pounds of trash, which was double what the event accomplished last year.

"We are thrilled with the response we had from the individuals and businesses who devoted several hours to making our downtown even better," Mayor Mark Kruzan said. "The timing of the cleanup was ideal - just after Little 500 weekend and before graduation - so it was a great day to enhance Bloomington's beauty. It is our hope the event is well on its way to becoming a popular, annual Bloomington tradition."

Volunteers from local businesses, organizations and the public helped in the cleanup effort, and City staffers from the Housing and Neighborhood Development, Office of the Mayor, Public Works, Community and Family Resources, Planning, Utilities and the Parks and Recreation departments organized and participated in the cleanup. Volunteers met in City Hall by 8:30 a.m. where they registered, enjoyed refreshments provided by Tutto Bene, received a Be Bloomington T-shirt, and joined one of eight cleanup teams.

"Yesterday's event brought together a lot of people from all over the community and they were able to get to know one another, have fun and work together on some very tangible projects," said Talisha Coppock, Executive Director of DBI.

The perimeter for the cleanup extended from 3rd Street to 12th Street and Indiana Avenue to Morton Street. The area was divided into zones where eight clean teams and one mulching crew were assigned. Volunteers spent three to four hours discarding litter, removing graffiti, painting and mulching. Cigarette butts were the leading source of litter on the streets, sidewalks and alleyways.

"CFC had approximately 20 employees, who volunteered for the Be Beautiful Bloomington cleanup," said Jim Murphy, President of CFC Incorporated. "This is the second year CFC has helped spruce up the downtown. It was also nice to see the tremendous volunteer effort of several other organizations, business owners and individuals that took the time to assist and make this a successful event. Hopefully, this event will continue to grow with new and additional volunteers each year."

Staffers also swept and power washed several alleys, and volunteers and staff swept curbs and sidewalks and parking lots;picked up dog waste; scrubbed stairways; washed windows and mulched a dozen planter boxes.

Special thanks to the volunteers, City staff and DBI, as well as Be Bloomington sponsors Irwin Union Bank, CFC Incorporated, X-Printwear and Promotions, and Noodles and Company, which provided complimentary lunches to all of the participants.

"I was impressed with how effective and thorough the cleanup was," said Mark Burkley, Partner, Noodles and Company, who participated in the cleanup. "The feeling that we were having an impact was contagious and the number of nice comments from motorists and pedestrians was awesome! We also had a blast getting everyone fed and it was great exposure for us to a group of nonstudents who could appreciate what we do. We look forward to the next one!" [Kruzan's Birthplace|file:HammondIN.jpg] [Be Bloomington Homepage|Be Bloomington]