Sunday, May 5, 2013

New city sweepers to aid West Side cleanup

 By Adrienne Boudreau and Caitlin Kupiec
BengalNews Reporters
         The West Side and other neighborhoods will soon be introduced to the city’s two recently purchased sidewalk sweepers.

         The commissioner of the Department of Public Works, Steve Stepniak, is finalizing a schedule within the next two weeks on when and where the sweepers will appear.

         “We are coordinating these machines with any special events that will be occurring in the West Side,” Stepniak said.

         The machines, purchased at $37,468 each, are smaller than traditional sweepers and are suction-based. Instead of bristles that push aside debris, they will suck up the grit from the congested sidewalks and narrow streets on the West Side.

         “This is a test sample to see how it impacts not only the West Side, but communities throughout Buffalo,” Stepniak said.

         West Side businesses will benefit from cleaner environments, said Louise Sanos, owner of Global Villages, located at 216 Grant St.

         “It does make (the West Side) more inviting,” Santos said. “If you have a cleaner place, then the property looks more beautiful. The owners also have to do their part in making sure their stores look beautiful. It’s not just the city’s job.”

         The idea is not only to promote cleanliness in the city, but also to encourage a sense of pride displayed through the improved look and feel of the area.

         The sweepers will aid in the city’s ‘Clean Sweep’ initiative, which works to tidy up neighborhoods in need of maintenance.

         Buffalo Police spokesperson Michael DeGeorge said that the ultimate goal is to make the city as clean as possible.

         “It’s a quality of life issue,” DeGeorge said. “You want to live in an environment that is clean and safe.”