The PDP’s Clean Team is well traveled in their efforts to keep Downtown clean. They don their signature gold uniforms and walk a combined 12,000 miles annually, collecting garbage on city streets and filling about 100,000 trash bags in the process. With litter as their enemy and sparkling sidewalks in their sights, the team leads the charge in one of the PDP’s cornerstone functions: Beautifying Downtown.
The Clean Team works from morning to night, seven days a week, all year long. They remove litter and trash from sidewalks, empty trash cans, clean trash receptacles, remove graffiti and hand bills, and power wash sidewalks.
Prior to the G-20 Summit, the PDP Clean Team worked extra hard, ensuring Downtown was spic and span to show off to our world leaders and visitors. We captured some before and after photos of some of the projects the Clean Team Ambassadors worked on leading up to the event.
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Before images...
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After images...
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Since Jan. 2009, the Clean Team has produced some impressive numbers...
Street-level graffiti detracts from the attractiveness of Downtown and contributes to public perception that Downtown is not well cared for and unsafe. Thanks to the PDP's Clean Team, graffiti doesn't stand a chance!
Help us identify graffiti in your area. The PDP Clean Team Program offers graffiti removal to property owners within the boundaries of the Downtown Business Improvement District. Our policy is to be as aggressive and committed as time and manpower permit. To learn more about Pittsburgh's ordinances on graffiti click here. All we need to get started is a signed release form by the Property Owner or Manager.
If you see graffiti Downtown, please contact us immediately to report it at (412) 325-0156 or send us an e-mail.
The Clean Team does an exceptional job keeping Downtown clean and beautiful and their work never goes unnoticed. Below are some testimonials we've received from Downtown business managers, residents and workers who've shared their words of praise for the Clean Team:
Ida D'Errico, Principal, IGH Associates
"Thank you and your team for your exceptional services provided for Pittsburgh Celebrates 250 on October 4th. I have produced many large scale events in my career and have never encountered a more organized working team. Both Point State Park and the North Shore were always kept clean despite the enormous crowds that gathered later in the day for the concerts and fireworks. I will certainly contact you for future services for events that I produce."
Cathy Ryan, Herrmann Furs
"When I see the gentlemen on the clean team I always make an effort to let them know what a good job they are doing. Since the inception of the clean team, the city is certainly looking a lot nicer, which I feel is important to a city that has as many visitors as Pittsburgh. The gentleman who is assigned to Smithfield Street, Mr. Curtis Pinkney, is a perfect example of someone you want out with the public. Curtis and I exchange greetings almost every morning at 7:30, he always remembers my name, is always very pleasant, and it shows that he takes pride in his work. Thank you PDP!"
Frederic B. Sargent, Sargent Electric Company
"Countless times over 30 years I have walked through the pedestrian tunnel that passes under Macy’s. Yesterday I was struck but how clean it is today, versus the way I remember it having been for so long in the past. As I reached the end, I ran into Curtis Pinkney from your staff. When I remarked to him about how good things look, in a most courteous way he identified himself and thanked me for mentioning it. I got your number from him so that I could call to comment. In addition to doing a good job keeping the area looking good, he represents your organization—and our City—well in how he deals with people. I’m a lifelong Pittsburgher accustomed to hometown friendliness. Imagine how a visitor from out-of-town would have been impressed by his manner! I hope you’ll let him know that what he does is appreciated."
Additional Clean Information for Downtown:
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E-mail the Clean Team Program Manager |
Clean Team Operations Manager: (412) 589-0241 |
On Friday, August 1, 2008, 12 Ariba employees took to the streets with sponges and brushes to help the PDP's Clean Team Ambassadors remove various forms of graffiti throughout Downtown. The volunteer effort coordinated with Ariba's Human Resources Department is a first for the PDP. "We are thrilled Ariba has taken the initiative to improve Downtown by allowing their employees to volunteer their time during the workday," said Mike Edwards, PDP President and CEO. The clean-up effort is timely, as Mayor Luke Ravenstahl just announced his own campaign to spruce up business districts in the city. A SWAT Team, or Hokey Patrol, will make several improvements, which will also include graffiti removal. "Any efforts to clean up our city and Downtown are appreciated and encouraged," said Edwards. "We hope other Downtown businesses will follow Ariba's lead."
If you or your business is interested in volunteering to improve our Downtown, please contact Paul Hochendoner, Manager, PDP Safety Ambassador and Clean Team Programs, at (412) 325-0152. Or, call the PDP office at (412) 566-4190.
Special thanks to the following Ariba employees who volunteered their time: Lauren Zovko, Jim Kelley, Stephanie Kinkus, Joe Jena, Becky Grace, Cheryl Casteel, Kristen Behm, Sim Howell, Patrick Holmes, Jena Simpson, Anne Marie Emswiler and Curt Lawhead.
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