For years, San Francisco residents and visitors have lamented the dog waste, litter, and general messiness that has made navigating the city’s sidewalks a less than enjoyable experience. But thanks to a new citywide sidewalk cleaning program, the streets are looking cleaner than ever before.
The city’s commitment to improving the public realm has led to a tradeoff: reducing most neighborhood street cleanings to monthly, while increasing neighborhood sidewalk cleaning to weekly and commercial corridors to daily. The program is being funded in part by local business districts, who are contributing commensurate with how much waste they produce.
“We want to make sure that our sidewalks are not only safe and clean, but also welcoming and enjoyable for everyone,” said San Francisco Mayor London Breed. “This program is a major step forward in achieving that goal.”
The program has been met with widespread approval from residents and small business owners alike. “The difference is night and day,” said Mission District resident Maria Rodriguez. “I used to dread walking to the grocery store because of all the trash on the sidewalk. Now it’s so much cleaner and more pleasant to be out and about.”
Business owners are also seeing the benefits of the program. “Cleaner sidewalks mean more foot traffic and more business for us,” said Jane Chen, owner of a small boutique on Valencia Street. “We’re happy to contribute to the program because we know it’s good for our customers and good for our bottom line.”
The program is also benefiting the environment. By reducing the amount of waste on the sidewalks, the city is able to divert more material from the landfill and move closer to achieving its zero waste goals.
But perhaps the most exciting aspect of the program is the new sidewalk-cleaning machines. These adorable green machines roll down the sidewalks, using high PSI water to blast away dirt and grime. They leave behind a trail of cleanliness that is a joy to behold.
Former Supervisor Matt Haney, who has worked on cleaner streets for years, praised the new program. “This is a major step forward for San Francisco,” he said. “By prioritizing sidewalk cleaning, we’re making our city a more livable and enjoyable place for everyone.”
The citywide sidewalk cleaning program is a shining example of what can happen when residents, businesses, and city leaders work together toward a common goal. With cleaner sidewalks and a healthier environment, San Francisco is proving that a little investment in public infrastructure can go a long way.