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For Immediate Release: April 21, 2023
Media Contact: Max Wing | max@downtownindy.org

Downtown cleanliness takes center stage ahead of outdoor season

Downtown Indy, Inc. continues its unprecedented street cleaning efforts and outlines ongoing projects for Q2

INDIANAPOLIS - - As temperatures rise, outdoor foot-traffic returns, and Earth Day fast approaches, Downtown Indianapolis is doubling down on its comprehensive cleaning and beautification strategy in the Mile Square. With expanded street-level operations, made possible in collaboration with Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF), Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) and nonprofit Keys2Work, Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII) has grown to a seven-day-a-week operations team with 36 employees working multiple shifts across Downtown. DII crews are also taking on new, highly visible, cleanliness and beautification projects this spring including investment in street level infrastructure, added waste management resources, and street teams mobilizing in adjacent neighborhoods in partnership with Keep Indianapolis Beautiful (KIB).

“Downtown is seeing more time, resources, and efforts, dedicated to cleanliness and beautification projects than ever before, thanks to the expansion of our dedicated street team and the partnership with the City of Indianapolis,” said DII President & CEO Taylor Schaffer. “From graffiti remediation to power washing high traffic areas, we’ve gone on the offensive throughout the winter season, and it shows. As residents and visitors alike make their way Downtown to kick-off the spring season, a clean and well-kept Downtown is ready to host the range of events that our community is known for.”

"Indy DPW crews are out in full force keeping our neighborhoods and public spaces clean and beautiful, and with our partners at Downtown Indy, Inc. and Keys2Work, we have strengthened these efforts in our Downtown core,” said Indy DPW Director Brandon Herget. “As we look forward to the festivities that make up the month of May, our new dedicated Downtown team will be working hard to ensure our city's central destination is a welcoming place for all who live, work, and play here.”

As DII continues its unprecedented street cleaning program, it outlines the following tools to maintain Downtown’s clean, safe, and beautiful atmosphere:

  • It all starts with The People Behind the Place – A mobilized team of 36 street cleaning workers, operating seven days a week, comprised of HVAF street ambassadors, contracted personnel from Indy DPW, and employees from Keys2Work
  • Repainted street curbs along the Downtown parade route, spanning Pennsylvania and Meridian Streets between North and E. Ohio
  • 2023 sidewalk reassessment performed on private businesses Downtown – Click to learn more about DII’s Downtown Cleaning & Façade Standards.
  • New and improved Downtown trash receptacles in high foot-traffic areas
  • 30 dispensers to mitigate cigarette butt litter around the Mile Square, in partnership with KIB
  • Six volunteer clean-ups from March-October, with three in partnership with KIB
  • Downtown power boxes, routinely repainted with DII brand colors to mask graffiti
  • Secondary power washer, allowing for deployment of two different power washing teams in areas of greatest need
  • 24-hour response time to all inquiries on the See Say app, built exclusively for DII members to report non-emergency safety and maintenance issues directly to management
  • New tree canopy committee to strategize greenery placements in the Mile Square

DII’s enhanced street cleaning efforts are made possible by a $3.5 million partnership with the City of Indianapolis announced in November 2022. DII’s street team responds to tasks including graffiti remediation, sticker removal, power washing, and other beautification projects across Downtown. Looking ahead, DII maintains its focus on mitigating littering while expanding operations within the Mile Square and adjacent Downtown corridors.

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About Downtown Indy, Inc.
Founded in 1993, Downtown Indy, Inc. is a public/private partnership existing to improve Downtown, and is also known as Indianapolis Downtown, Inc. As a private, not-for-profit organization, Downtown Indy, Inc. is uniquely positioned to address issues that affect the area’s growth and well-being. Downtown Indy, Inc. focuses on development, management, activation, and marketing to advance Downtown as a great place to live, learn, work and play. Learn more about DII’s street cleaning initiatives here: https://downtownindy.org/services/beautification

About Indy DPW
The Indianapolis Department of Public Works (Indy DPW) is responsible for maintaining the city’s infrastructure including roads, bridges, bike and pedestrian facilities, and the stormwater system. The department also provides resident services such as trash collection and snow removal. Indy DPW is delivering meaningful upgrades to critical infrastructure across the county as a result of Mayor Joe Hogsett’s five-year, $1.1 billion capital infrastructure plan. Learn more at DPW.indy.gov